Civility’s Unfinished Revolution: Comments on John Keane, “Hopes for Civil Society,” Global Perspectives (2020)

Keane offers a conception of civil society more nuanced and more attractive than leading contenders. But Keane’s conception also leaves certain questions for reexamination. Keane says little about what role his vision of civil society allows for governments. Many may struggle to share Keane’s optimism about the role of digital technology in helping to realize this vision. And one might also question how well the attitude of political hope that Keane urges ultimately serves us.