civil society

noun3

1. •
   All of the institutions, voluntary organizations and corporate bodies that are less than the state but greater than the family.
2. •
   Organized, internally peaceful human society; civilization.

   • Man’s decision to leave the state of nature is a natural decision. […] Civil society is, in effect, nature rendered reasonable. — 1989
3. •
   Those things expected of a democratic society, such as free speech and human rights.