everything you organize with strangers that isn't the government or your job.
means the web of voluntary associations, nonprofits, unions, and community groups that operate between the individual, the state, and the market.
from the term traces to enlightenment thinkers like hegel and tocqueville, who noticed democracies survive on more than voting: they need clubs, churches, and newspapers that citizens run themselves, independent of crown or commerce.
solidarity poland — trade union movement that helped end communist rule, 1980
amnesty international — human rights ngo founded 1961, now active in 150+ countries
arab spring bloggers — citizen networks that organized protests outside state media, 2011
indian rti movement — grassroots push led to the right to information act, 2005