Square and Compass

As one of the oldest fraternal orders, Freemasonry exerts a powerful influence on its membership through its symbolism, architecture and ritual, based on the tenets of mutual respect and tolerance towards all human beings. Such principles helped in creating a body of practices and institutions as early as the eighteenth century which two hundred years later were conceptualized as global civil society.The allegations of anti-Masons and conspiracy theorists offer a continuous account of Masonry''s influence on the political scene since its modern founding in 1717 Great Britain. Even though they paint a distorted view of reality, such theories do challenge the novelty of global civil society, as well as its claim of being an inclusive and growing sector uniting people all over the world. Masonic influence in the social world reflects the liberal worldview where the nation-state and power structures are in pursuit of human progress, or profit. The symbolism in Masonry, however, carries a message of republican ideals. It creates spaces of meaning where the contradictions between the ideals and the structures of inequality and elitism can be resolved.