Concept, peculiarities of constitution and functions of civil society as a structural element of the modern world-system

Abstract

The article proposes to look at civil society from the standpoint of Immanuel Wallerstein’s world-systems analysis. Of course, Wallerstein can hardly be considered a theoretician of civil society. Still, his works can offer theoretical provisions that concern this topic as well. The ar- ticle suggests the study of civil society as possibly the third structural element of the modern world-system, which, along with two other structu- ral elements — the axial division of labor and the state and the system of interstate relations, — regulates social relations in it. It is shown that civil society consists of two dimensions: institutional and discursive. In gene- ral, features of creation and arrangement of each of these dimensions are characterized. The functions performed by civil society in the European capitalist world economy are highlighted.