open society
a form of social organization characterized by respect for human rights, freedom to voice dissenting opinions, elective government, and the rule of law. Essential to this concept is an awareness of the imperfect nature of government and the need for constant critical evaluation of social policy so that it evolves with changing circumstances or new insights. A closed society, by contrast, is one characterized by inflexible social structures and a fixed ideology that cannot accept criticism or tolerate difference. See also democracy. [described by French philosopher Henri Bergson (1859–1941) and later developed by Austrian-born British philosopher Karl Popper (1902–1994)]