This article analyses the connections between social developments and the evolution of the theory of civil society (CS) (classical background, semantic shifts, re-emergence and open questions regarding future research). The author distinguishes four layers of meanings of CS and focuses on selected research areas of CS qua associations (third sector, social capital, public sphere, civility). The aim is to provide access points and a frame of reference, and to emphasize the need for a culture-centered perspective, for a wide debate on a problematic in flux.