It is useful to differentiate existing social spaces in terms of a tripartite division of civil, political, and market society. They correspond respectively to Max Weber’s distinction among types of social strata: social status group, political party, and economic class.
Civil society refers to the sphere of voluntary associations around shared interests, purposes and values. Within this realm, use-value and value-rational motivation prevails, and influence is the dominant resource. On premise, its organizational manifestations are differentiated from those of the state (political society), family and market (market society), though in practice, the borders between the state, civil society, family and market are often multifaceted and fluid. Civil society commonly embraces a multiplicity of actors and institutional forms, varying in their degree of formality, informality, and power. “Civil societies are often populated by organizations such as registered charities, non-governmental organizations, community groups, women’s organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, trades unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions and advocacy groups.”
Political society refers to the sphere of state-based administration and power. In theory, its organizational forms are distinct from those of the family and market (market society) and civil society, though in practice, the boundaries between civil society, family and market, and political society are multifaceted and fluid. Within this realm, power is the dominant resource. Political society commonly embraces various institutional forms. Organizations such as federal, state, county, and city governments, legislative, executive, and judicial branches, regulatory agencies, political parties, and political advocacy groups often populate political societies.
Lastly, market society refers to voluntary associations centered on shared commercial interests. Within this realm, exchange value prevails, and money is the dominant resource. In theory, its organizational forms are distinct from the state (political society), family and civil society, though in practice, the boundaries between state, civil society, family and market are often multifaceted and fluid. Market societies are typically populated by organizations such as sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. Market society commonly embraces a range of actors and institutional forms.