The development of a civil sphere implies the existence of a specific form of solidarity, broader than those created by physical co-presence, emotional attachment, repeated interaction, resource exchange, and political or religious homophily. Such a solidary sphere, sustained by a distinctive set of symbolic codes and embedded in specialized institutions, is a key element in the working of any complex, modern society and is a requisite for democratic governance in pluralist societies (Alexander 2006:38). It is, however, far from being the overarching, or even dominant, form of social organization. On the contrary, it is constantly encroached by the functional imperatives of other social spheres. It is often torn apart by the diverse (more particularistic) logics that other spheres nurture and advance. In any of its actually existing forms, moreover, the civil sphere is also highly fragmented and imperfect. Conceived, in principle, as an imagined community of equals, its actual practices are always defined by the particularistic understanding of its most established core groups.