The study and sociological comparative analysis of Iranian and Western approaches to civil society

The present paper that is performed via documentary study and comparative technique is aimed to introduce and present sociological comparative analysis of similarities and differences of Iranian and western approaches to civil society. To do this, at first related opinions of famous thinkers of both approaches are recognized and then selected aspects, concepts and components of civil society are compared with each other. Today, there are four contemporary approaches to civil society in the West: liberal, collective, republican and discursive approach. According to western approaches civil society is made up from three main elements namely non-governmental organizations (NGOs), public sphere and social movements, which have different functions for social order. Freedom (negative and positive), equality, common good, collective wisdom, plurality, autonomy, independent, civilization and civil rights are main concepts of western civil society. Regarding "religion" as an index, Iranian approaches are divided into two categories: religious and secular (liberal) approaches to civil society. By religious approach one can recognize two sub approaches: pro- and antiapproaches in relationship with the compatibility of religious society and civil society. Opponents of the compatibility of religion and civil society recognize more the differentiations of religious society and civil society in the indices such as freedom, equality, principle of majority, human, legislation, state, relationship between state and society, plurality and tolerance. Therefore they come to conclusion the Islamic society are not compatible with the civil society. Adherents of the religious civil society stress on similarities between two religious and western civil societies in the indices such as independent public sphere, civil organization, pluralism, legality, collective wisdom, civil rights, rights of minorities, respect to human. Hence they argue the realization of a society, which can be as religious and as modern, as possible and as necessary. In liberal or secular approach to civil society, civil society has components, aspects and concepts such as non- governmental organizations, social movements, public sphere, public opinion, collective wisdom, free economy, law state, which can be realized in all of societies (religious and non-religious) and can be also accomplish in Iran.