Abstract

There is a group of thinkers who consider civil societies are strongly linked with modernization without considering that modernization has positive and negative out - put, which must not be adopted without thoroughly studying many factors involved in the field. Our aim in this study is to respond to the following questions:- What is the civil society 7 What are the traditional groups 7 Is there a modem civil society in Yemen ? We also try to investigate the relationship between the local institution and the traditional groups in civil societies. The results of the study show the following: l-The modem civil society cannot develop from vacuum. It is rather continuing historical process that was generated from the traditional local society. 2—There is no modem society in Yemen. It is a proposed society. Most of the modern civil societies are not original and their effect is limited, and subsist on gifts and local and foreign gifts and assistance . 3-The traditional groups may be considered as a branch of the civil society if they meet the conditions of the civil society . 4-The traditional groups still have great influence on the society, and are difficult to be ignored. 5-The tribe and the traditional groups could be converted into modem civil groups gradually and without force and violence. This could be done only within the state of law and right, and in the framework of a peaceful and sustainable development, democratic process .