Concept, peculiarities of constitution and functions of civil society as a structural element of the modern world-system

The article proposes to look at civil society from the standpoint of Immanuel Wallerstein's world-systems analysis. Of course, Wallerstein can hardly be considered a theoretician of civil society. Still, his works can o er theoretical provisions that concern this topic as well. The article suggests the study of civil society as possibly the third structural element of the modern world-system, which, along with two other structural elements | the axial division of labor and the state and the system of interstate relations, | regulates social relations in it. It is shown that civil society consists of two dimensions: institutional and discursive. In general, features of creation and arrangement of each of these dimensions are characterized. The functions performed by civil society in the European capitalist world economy are highlighted.