The private or non-governmental dimension of the organization or administration of the state. It is generally contrasted with political society, which is the coercive, governmental dimension of the state. But the separation of civil and political society is artificial. As Marxism political theorist Gramsci, Antonio argues, the reality is that the state is a dual system comprising both a coercive and consensual apparatus. Standard elements of civil society include trade unions, workers cooperatives, and mutual aid societies. The concept has a long and varied history and there is an immense literature on the subject which is divided on two key issues: what exactly comprises civil society (i.e. where to draw the line between those institutions that do and do not form part of it), and what is it capable of (i.e. is it really a forum for progressive, non-violent change?). Further Reading: M. Edwards Civil Society (2004).