Civil Society dan Abrahamic Religions

Abstract

This article examines how the discourse on civil society provided an alterative social vision for Indonesia, especially during the period before and after the fall of Soeharto.  The article considers the similarities and differences between the concepts of civil society, madani (civilized) society, and Pancasila, the national ideology.  Civil society, in the end, is a basic prerequisite for building a society that is faithful to Pancasila.  Civil society can be defined in relation to the three main meanings of the word “civil” in English.  The first is a minimalist definition of the word civilized.  For people to act civil (or civilized) towards each other, they must be polite and respect each others differences.  Secondly, a civil society is one in which the people are free to form non-governmental, civil organizations to reach their own goals without intervention by the government.  Thirdly, a civil society is a society that is not dominated by the military.  A civilian is a non military person.  Similarly, a civil society is a non-militarized society in which, within the boundaries of the law, people are free from violent coercion.  By building a civil society, Indonesia can move towards fulfilling the noble vision of Pancasila.