2016 · Q71
Who among the following sociologists is the first to propound the concept of civil society?
indian-polity-economygovernance-administration
- AAdam Ferguson
- BAntonio Gramsci
- CFriedrich Hegel
- DAlexis de Tocqueville
Explanation
Adam Ferguson's 'An Essay on the History of Civil Society' (1767) is the first systematic exposition of the concept of civil society, predating Hegel's 'Philosophy of Right' (1821) by over fifty years. Gramsci and Tocqueville wrote much later. Note: one published key gives (C) Hegel, but chronologically Ferguson is first.