NGOs and Civil Society: Concepts and Dynamics

This deck features key vocabulary and concepts related to NGOs and their functions within civil society, as discussed in the lecture, to aid in exam preparation.

NGO

Non-governmental organization, defined by the UN as any organization not established by intergovernmental agreement.

Constraints on NGOs

They cannot make profit, advocate for violence, must address human rights broadly.

Judicial Approach

Legal status of NGOs determined by the country or UN.

Sociological Approach

Examines the roles and functions of NGOs as societal actors.

Professor's Definition of NGOs

Private, voluntary, nonprofit organizations that pursue the common good.

Governmental Funding

NGOs can receive funding but must remain structurally independent from the government.

Professionalization of NGOs

Increasing trend of NGOs employing paid staff rather than relying solely on volunteers.

Non-Profit Definition

NGOs do not operate for profit; surplus funds must support their mission.

Formal Structure Requirement

Organizations must have a structure to qualify as an NGO.

Civil Society

A concept defined variably, emphasizing intermediate realms of collective needs.

Calder's Definition of Civil Society

Individuals' opinions transform into collective goals in civil society.

Carothers' View on Civil Society

By the 1990s, civil society splintered into various definitions and interpretations.

Historical Movements in Civil Society

Democratic movements in Latin America and Eastern Europe challenged regimes.

Definition Shift in 1990

Civil society seen as negotiation and struggle among individuals and authorities.

What Civil Society is NOT

Not focused on labor unions, professional associations, or informal community groups.

Potential Downsides of Civil Society

It can be misused by groups pursuing harmful agendas, like militias.

Proliferation of Civil Society Groups

Can overwhelm representative institutions leading to inefficiencies.

NGOs and Civil Society Relationship

NGOs are important but not central to civil society, which includes traditional entities.

Transnational Civil Society

Concerned with Western imposition of values and agendas.

TANs

Transnational Advocacy Networks, which consist of activists across borders on shared issues.

Network Characteristics

Regularized exchange, structured interactions, and joint campaigns among member organizations.

Transnationality of TANs

Must cross national borders and promote collective principles.

Transactional Social Movements (TSMs)

Socially mobilized groups engaged in sustained interaction with power holders.

Contentious Nature of TSMs

TSMs are confrontational and targeted at authorities in other nations.

Tarrow's Views

NGOs and TANs share goals of social change but might act differently with power-holders.

International NGOs

Often overshadowed by grassroots organizations in impact and numbers.

NGO Definition Issues

Disagreements on the definition lead to unknown counts of NGOs globally.

Boli and Thomas' Perspective

Term 'NGO' is relatively new, organizations existed before 1946.

Post-WWII Growth in NGOs

Post-war period saw a burst in new NGOs and survival rates.

Global Communication Revolution

Changed how NGOs communicate, travel, and organize.

Retreat of the State

Governments relinquishing responsibilities led to a rise in NGOs.

Post-Material Values Shift

People increasingly focus on social equality and quality of life over self-interest.

Reimann's Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down

Advocates both grassroots action and elite influence for NGO emergence.

International Political Opportunity Structure

Improved conditions for NGOs to operate at international levels.

Government Funding for NGOs

States provide funds for NGOs to aid operational capacities.

Donor Dependency Impact

NGOs risk losing independence and legitimacy by relying on donor funds.

Accountability in NGOs

NGOs must balance obligations to donors and their community.

Isomorphism

NGOs increasingly resemble each other due to external pressures.

Control Mechanisms by Governments

Governments implement legal and informal methods to regulate NGOs.

Collaboration Mechanisms

Coordination and shared objectives between governments and NGOs.

Kenya's Shared Governance Model

NGOs and the government jointly manage service delivery.

Quality of Governance and Trust

Trust between NGOs and governments influences cooperation efficiency.

Murray's Opportunity Factors

Military presence like UN peacekeeping fosters NGO cooperation.

Strategic Institutional Lens on NGO-State Relations

Different forms of relationship: cooperation, co-optation, complementary, confrontation.

Co-optation Risks

Shared strategies but different goals may destabilize NGO-government dynamics.

Political Regime Types

Influence NGO relationships; authoritarian regimes can be variedly hostile or supportive.

Bratton's Framework

Suggests that military regimes are often more hostile to NGOs than civilian ones.

Mechanisms for Government Control

Include legal restrictions, registration denials, and dissolution threats.

Perception of NGOs by Governments

Perception of NGOs as both assets and threats by the government.

Evaluation of NGO Performance

Pressure on NGOs to show positive results can hinder their adaptability.

Strategic Institutional Lens on NGO Relationships

Focuses on goals and strategies in cooperation between NGOs and the state.

Competitive Dynamics Among NGOs

Often leading to dysfunction and pressure to align with donor interests.

Consequences of Official Aid Dependency

Influence NGOs' operational priorities and their independence.