Civil Society and the Question of Citizenship : Opportunities for Activation and Limits of Influence

The rapid and progressive changes that contemporary societies have undergone, have led to a reconsideration of the system of concepts associated to the state and the society, the nature of their relationship, and the connection of individuals to their societies and states. The power of the state is not only measured by its Military capabilities but mainly by its ability to implement public policies that provide essential services to the citizens, and its capacity to distribute roles within civil society, there by increasing participation and achieving the requirements of political and social citizenship, which is questioned as well, with the emergence of the idea of a global citizenship.