Time to take civil society to the next level

However it too is ridden with major short falls as, "it fails to explain how to deal with the structural factors that determine its (civil society's) effectiveness" ( p.71).

Clearly, in discussing the threats to the public sphere Edwards is at his best. For example when he points out the "underlying problem (of)...the privatization of the 'public' in every sphere of life and the 'pillaging of what belongs to all of us' in favour of private interests" (p.65). In chapter five Edwards attempts to provide a synthesis, by building on the strong elements of each school of thought. This holistic approach aims for consensus, makes some valid generalizations and advances the academic debate on "how des a strong civil society make society strong and civil?" (p.74). It is a constructive approach, one that results into an agenda for 'nurturing connections between civil society theories'. At its basis is the recognition that "civil society is simultaneously a goal to aim for, a means to achieve it and a framework for engaging with each other about ends and means" (p.110). The critical shortcoming of Edwards' synthesis is its inability to provide a suitable basis for challenging today's rule of neo-imperial globalization. Analytically mechanic, the holistic approach offered by Edwards remains stuck in political theory that is dependent upon a state system which is no longer in tune with the constantly shifting and emerging social and political constellations, coalitions and networks of public sphere actors and stakeholders. Instead of lamenting over the inefficacies of governments and how they often fail to meet their responsibilities in society, a critique of the state as a vehicle and tool of capitalist globalization is called for. The state today is frequently a root cause for inequality and an institutional roadblock for advancing democratic civil society. The 'good society' cannot be brought about by depending on the good will of states with little or no interest in sharing resources and negating power structures upon which the rely for their own reproduction. The very concept of representation is no longer adequate to give expression to the multitude of voices, ideas and interests in societies that are increasingly defined by cross-cultural and transactional identities. Most importantly the notion of "sovereignty' is at odds with democratic aspirations and interactive practices that are expressed outside and beyond the classical nation state.

To his credit, Edwards does point to the potential of global civil society as

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