1 / 10

Strengths and Weaknesses of Civil Society: Advancing Accountability and Good Governance

Explore the rise, functions, and challenges of civil society organizations, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability mechanisms, and good governance for a flourishing sector. Learn about the evolution, impact, and potential constraints of civil society globally.

carrollp
Download Presentation

Strengths and Weaknesses of Civil Society: Advancing Accountability and Good Governance

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Video Dialogue Civil Society: Its Strengths and Weaknesses MIKLOS MARSCHALL REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA mmarschall@transparency.org 26 May 2005 www.transparency.org

  2. The Rise of Civil Society • ”Global associational revolution|” from the 80’s • Non-profit sector: worth over a $ 1 trillion a year globally ( Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies) • From outsiders into insiders • From philanthropy to social change • Policy networks at global, regional and national levels • Transnational advocacy NGOs

  3. What Is Behind the Rise of Civil Society? • End of cold war, collapse of communism • Communication revolution • Crisis of the welfare state • Loss of trust in traditional institutions: churches, trade unions, political parties • Globalization

  4. What Is Civil Society? How Do We Define It? Only multi-dimensional definitions will work Three dimensions • Realm of free, voluntary associations between the household and the state ( Analytical definition) • Good society with tolerance and civility (Normative definition) • Public sphere for citizen participation ( Political definition) Source: Michael Edwards: Civil Society

  5. What Do Civil Society Organizations Do? Marketplace of ideas, concepts, values, services • CSOs can work for their own benefit and for the public benefit. CSOs are • Innovators • Agenda setters • Public opinion mobilizers • Implementers • Monitors, watchdogs

  6. Why Do We Chose CSOs? “Private action for the public good” • Freedom of action • Swiftness • Flexibility • Entrepreneurship • Trustworthiness • Less bureaucratic and costly

  7. Weaknesses and Limits of CSOs • Unclear mandate • Accountability gap • Parochialism • Tunnel vision • “High death rate and short life expectation “ • External vulnerability • Permanent struggle for resources

  8. How to Overcome the Accountability Deficit? • What is accountability? • Accountability mechanisms: • Performance evaluation • Reporting • Accreditation • Certification • Transparency through disclosure

  9. Good Governance in the Civil Society Sector • Governance vs management • Conflict of interest rules • Transparency in the finances

  10. Condititions for a Flourishing Civil Society • Strong legitimate government • Good enabling legal environment • Freedom of Association • Freedom of Information • Tolerance, democratic values, culture and capacity for partnership and compromise

More Related