Although San Agustin (354-430) is the
first author to deal more or less
generally with the issue of civil
society, it is not until the 19th century
(within a panorama characterized by an
accelerated scientific and technical
development) that its model concept
originated, which was conceived by
the Prussian philosopher Hagel (1772-1831), who, in addition to developing a
fundamentally methodical philosophy, did
not want to expose an ideal State, but
rehabilitate the real State. Hegel was
the first great modern philosopher who
conceptualized in a complex way the term
"civil society", taking up the naturalistic
tradition and the conception that the
individual is holder of rights an agent
of moral conscience. For this thinker,
civil society is the path that starts
from the private sphere and culminates
in the public space. Thus, civil society
is the meeting point between the
particular and the universal, individual and
general interest, the private sphere and
the public sphere. Another of the most
important thinkers of the 19th century
is John Stuart Mill, a Scottish
philosopher and economist who stood out for his contributions to political
philosophy, economics and methodology.
This philosopher, too, developed widely
theories concerning the State and
freedom. For Mill, the basic principle of
freedom is that each individual, group of
individuals and the government,
refrain from meddling in the thought,
expression and action of others, so that
freedom ends where the other begins. On
the other hand, the Scottish philosopher
and economist Adam Smith (another
illustrious 19th century thinker), laid the
foundations of economic science and, to a lesser extent, made contributions in the
field of political philosophy, among which
his famous work, intrinsically political,
about the principles of free enterprise
or liberal capitalism stands out. Many
of his fundamental reflections are
contained in his Theory of Moral
Sentiments, in which he exposes and
analyzes the characteristics of human
nature and individual action. Smith
conceived the universe as a system whose
purpose is expressed in terms of order,
stability, harmony and happiness. Likewise,
this thinker stated emphatically that capital must serve to the development and
progress of nations and individuals with
a well-governed government.
 
 
