Özet:

The aim of the article is to shed light upon the essence and functions of the civil society, as well as to outline the features of its functioning. The article considers the views of thinkers of the past and modernity on the essence and significance of civil society, which formed the basis of a modern understanding of its content and role in the development of democracy and society. Also, modern approaches to the interpretation of the content of this concept were reviewed. It is revealed, that those approaches to the interpretation of the civil society of thinkers of the past and present, which take into account its component as economy, were and remain the most studied and time-consuming ones, and eventually do not lose their relevance. The main functional models of civil society are highlighted. It is justified, that the extended functional model, formed on the basis of the models of Merkel-Lauth and Edwards, more fully reflects the functions, performed by the civil society. Different models of interaction of civil society, state, business, family are investigated. It is proposed to consider the civil society as an environment that enables the interaction of the state, business and family in accordance with their natural functioning.

Anahtar Kelimeler: