The Trump administration's assault on constitutional rights raises concerns about how to effectively respond. While some look towards political institutions and electoral outcomes for solutions, there is a growing interest in the role of civil society organizations. These groups, which connect individuals to the broader community, may help counteract autocracy by fostering engagement and democracy. However, some scholars caution that civil society is declining, leading to increased individualism. Understanding the framework of pillars of support is vital to explore how civil society can effectively respond to rising authoritarianism.
The consequences of civil society's actions are thought to be quite far-reaching—from promoting democracy in developing societies to curing that which ails more developed ones, like individualism or political disengagement.
Antonio Gramsci argued that in modern states the ruling class exerts dominance and leadership over the subordinate masses less through coercion and more on the consent of civil society.
Some scholars have argued that CSOs are in steep decline, with citizens increasingly content to go 'bowling alone.'
A framework known as the pillars of support can help answer the pressing question of how civil society can protect Americans from authoritarianism.
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