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Abstract
The concept ‘civil society’ , and its relevance for democracy, is currently very much in vogue among a variety of scholars who are interested in the process of societal democratization. An argument is forwarded in favour of civil society as a domain that can enhance the prospects for democracy by involving people in democracy. Despite the pro-civil society stance in this article it is argued that the concept needs to be contextualized. It is also argued that the concept is not a ‘magic cure’ and that civil society in itself can be undemocratic and exploitative.