CIVIL SOCIETYBy

Juan Vicente

Definition

“The term for organizations outside the state that aid citizens in advancing their interests. They are very strong in liberal democracies, where citizens learn and exercise democratic values. Organizations may be based on class, religion or ethnic ties, or may go above these to create a more united society outside of governmental control. ”(Charles Taylor)

For the public, not for private purposes Part of CRONC

How are they formed?

Organizations form for: Economic Cultural Informational and Educational Interest groups Developmental organizations Issues-Oriented Movements Civic groups Ideological marketplace

How the differ from other organizations?

Concerned with the public and not private means

Relate to the State but are not looking for a position in it

Accessible to the common citizen Pluralist, Partiality and Diversity

Functions

Economic Growth Spread Interests and Issues to the public Develops programs Develop Democracy:

Check on the government Promote Political Participation

Types of Civil Society

Pluralist: Many groups for one interest Very Competitive to influence politically

Democratic One or a few groups are generally formed for

a certain interest Controlled

Government manages the actions

Civil Society in UK

Before 1980s civil society organizations were rare Save the Children Fund(1919) CARE International(1945)

Post 1980s NGOs rocketed in numbers Islamic Relief Worldwide(1984) Marie Stopes International(1993) ONE Campaign(2004)

Civil Society in Russia

Glasnost and Petestroika Moscow Helsinki Group(1975) Committee of Soldier’s Mothers(1989)

Since 2006 Russian Federation Law #18-FZ Russian Federation Law #131 Government funding of SOME organizations

Civil Society in China

1949-1976 all associational activity was mediated by the state and communist party All-China Women’s Federation (1949) All-China Youth Federation (1949)

1980s GONGOs China Association for International

Understanding(1981) China Education Association for International Exchange

(1981) Quasi-Independent Legal Existence(1989)

180,000 organizations created

Civil Society in Iran

President Mohammed Khatomi(1997-2005) Popli Khalatbari Charitable Foundation(1998)

President Mohammed Ahmadinejad(2005-2013) Justice of Iran(2010)

Larger role than in other Arab States

Civil Society in Mexico

1960-1970s Only legitimate organizations were affiliated with party state 1968 student movement

1980s Organizations began to develop 1982 Economic crisis, 1985 earthquake, 1988 election

1990s More organizations formed as Mexico struggled for democracy 1995 North American Free Trade Agreement

2000s Democracy at last American Chamber of Commerce of

Mexico(1917) and El Caracol(1994)

Civil Society in Nigeria

Military Rule (1966-1999) Constrained the civil society organizations

Post Military Rule (1999) Democracy was reinstated after election of

Olusegun Obasanjo Stability can be withheld if government and

civil society organizations work together African Youth Development Foundation(1999) Omonijuku Foundation(2009)

Activity