Civil Society and Social Capital in Australia and New Zealand

In the Australian and New Zealand contexts, the term “civil society” has developed to become a short-hand reference for the interaction, objectives and outcomes achieved through the public and nonprofit sectors working in concert with consumer advocates, service users and executive government at all levels focused on achieving stronger, healthier communities. Building on cultural and systemic developments arising from these nations’ relatively unique foundation processes, especially in relation to the role undertaken by government, while also being impacted by the colonial impact on First Nations People, civil society has meant different things to different people over the centuries. Now, the idea of civil society is used as a lens through which political actors frame arguments for and against social, liberal and capitalist ideas of progress. It is a term that encapsulates those differing ideas by garnering legitimacy within all political persuasions as the ultimate objective of political activity.