Lecture 10: Civil society and Civic space Flashcards
What is civil society?
Civil society is a set of voluntary organizations that operate between the state, the family, and the market. It includes a wide range of groups, some with political agendas.
(Kopecky & Mudde)
What are examples of civil society organizations (CSOs)?
Examples include trade unions, churches, business associations, student organizations, NGOs, and advocacy groups.
How does civil society contribute to democratization?
Civil society promotes democratic values, teaches democratic skills, builds social capital, connects citizens, represents interests, and holds governments accountable.
(Putnam, 1993; Tocqueville)
What are the three main types of politically active organizations in civil society?
Interest groups, social movements, and political parties.
What are interest groups?
Organizations that represent specific interests in society (e.g., trade unions, consumer associations). They seek to influence policies but do not aim to govern.
What are social movements?
Collective actions aimed at achieving social or political change, often broader in scope than interest groups (e.g., Occupy, #MeToo, Black Lives Matter).
What are political parties?
Organizations that cover a broad range of issues, connect with civil society, and aim to govern.
What are the key factors for a social movement’s success?
Success depends on resources, leadership, insider vs. outsider status, mainstream vs. radical agenda, citizen involvement, political context, and connection to international movements.
What is ‘uncivil’ society?
Groups within civil society that undermine democracy, such as extremist organizations, hate groups, or autocratic-supporting organizations.
(Kopecky & Mudde)
Can civil society be anti-democratic?
Yes, some CSOs can act as ‘schools of autocracy,’ promote division, or selectively represent interests in ways that weaken democracy.
(Bernhard, 2020; Skocpol – Tea Party movement; Svolik – Selective interest representation)
What is civic space?
Civic space is the environment (political, legal, social, economic) that allows citizens to organize, discuss, and engage in activism.
(European Civic Forum, 2015; UNDP, 2021)
What is happening to civic space globally?
In many places, civic space is shrinking due to authoritarian trends, reduced rights, criminalization of activism, and state interference.
(Van der Borgh & Terwindt, 2014)
How do governments restrict civic space?
Through legal barriers, surveillance, physical threats, negative propaganda, co-optation, and limiting funding sources.
(Van der Borgh & Terwindt, 2014)
Does civic space shrink equally for all CSOs?
No, authoritarian regimes often maintain or expand space for pro-government CSOs while restricting dissenting ones.
How do civil society actors creatively resist restrictions?
They use art, humor, digital activism, underground organizing, and symbolic protests (e.g., Belarus Free Theatre, Chilean Arpilleras).
What is an example of creative protest?
In Spain, protesters used dance and music in banks to express frustration over financial crises. In Russia, activists humorously ran a cat for mayor to expose corruption.
What was the impact of the Paris terrorist attacks on civic space?
France imposed emergency measures restricting mass gatherings, affecting planned climate protests. However, activists found alternative ways to express dissent.
What is the ‘third wave of autocratization’?
A global trend of declining democratic institutions, weakening checks and balances, electoral manipulation, and reduced political freedoms.
Why is understanding civil society important for democratization?
Civil society can strengthen democracy by encouraging participation, accountability, and social cohesion, but it can also be manipulated to support authoritarianism.
(Putnam, 1993; Kopecky & Mudde)
