Challand, Benoît <br/><br/>
Between state and religion: Rethinking civil society and the civil state after the Arab revolts 

 -  2016.<br/>							 
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<br/><br/> This article reflects on the historical moment of early 2011 that, behind the revolutionary social movement, reveals a glimpse of the endogenous framework of an emerging civil society calling for a civil state. The author revisits the concept of “civil society”—beyond the expected structured or institutionalized forms of NGOs supported by international aid—to extend it to more spontaneous (the family circle) or informal (the religious sphere) forms. It is then possible to see the complex role of religion, particularly in collective action. Finally, the article defends the idea that a civil state can be a practical and endogenous solution apt to articulate a constructive relationship between religion and politics.