Civil society is considered a fundamental partner in promoting the rule of law and protecting human rights. Civil society, which includes non-governmental organizations, trade unions, associations, and the media, plays a vital role in monitoring government performance, advocating for reforms, and promoting justice. It works to educate individuals about their legal rights and duties, press for legislative reforms, and expose corruption. It also contributes to building a legal culture that promotes accountability and transparency, ensuring that power is not exploited for individual interests at the expense of justice.<br /><br />However, despite the importance of this role, civil society faces numerous challenges, such as restrictions on freedoms, weak financial support, and skepticism about the credibility of its organizations. Therefore, supporting civil society and enhancing its independence is a crucial step towards building more just communities that respect human rights and effectively apply the rule of law.<br /><br />One of the first to call for this was Aristotle in his famous work Politics (384-322 BCE), where he was among the earliest to discuss civil society. Aristotle believed that humans are inherently social beings, and that the ideal state should be a well-organized civil society, where individuals live according to laws, not the whims of rulers. He argued that the middle class is the key to the success of civil society and considered the middle class and civil society as the primary guarantors of state stability, as they prevent tyranny and chaos.<br /><br />The Marxist thinker Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937) approached the subject of civil society from a new perspective, considering it not a space for economic competition, but rather an arena for ideological competition. Gramsci stated that civil society consists of a collection of superstructural institutions such as trade unions, political parties, the press, schools, and churches, with the Vatican being the largest private organization in the world. He distinguished between the roles of these institutions. This view was further explained by the contemporary German thinker Jürgen Habermas, who said that the functions of civil society in Gramsci's concept refer to the informal public sphere, meaning the one that is not subjected to state authority.<br /><br />Conclusion<br />Civil society is one of the most important pillars supporting the rule of law, protecting rights, and promoting social justice. Through legal education, monitoring government performance, and defending marginalized groups, civil society contributes to building more just and stable communities. Ultimately, sustainable development and real progress cannot be achieved without a strong civil society capable of effectively participating in decision-making, defending freedoms, and spreading a culture of justice and accountability.