Civil society (n.) is a historically determined phenomena that arose with the growth of capitalism as a result of the separation of spheres which depended on the rise of the bourgeoisie in a market sphere structurally separate from formal state power.
Civil society (n.) is not, pace hegel, capable of reconciling individual self-interest with the demands of the community.
Civil society (n.) is the sphere of the 'invisible hand': Namely, the unintentional way in which the pursuit of private gain could result in the promotion of the interests of society as a whole.
Civil society (n.) is virtually synonymous with bourgeois society and is limited to the economic sphere of labour, production and exchange.
Civil society (n.) and state stand like two hostile armies in which each soldier has the "chance" to join the other side by deserting.