Role Of Civil Society Research Articles

Listening across the Américas: Base Ecclesial Communities and Relational Organizing as Listening Practices for a Synodal Church

Catholicism can draw on existing practices of listening to build a more participative church. This paper analyzes listening practices in Catholic and Catholic-engaged interfaith settings, drawing on the author’s long-term ethnographic research: i) four years of weekly participation in meetings of comunidades eclesiales de base in Mexico and Central America; ii) two decades of participant-observation in multiracial faith-based community organizing work in low-income communities of the United States; iii) participant observation at the US expression of the World Meetings of Popular Movements initiative; and iv) participant-observation at the “Prophetic Communities” gathering of organizers, scholars, and church leaders, focused on synodality and community organizing (San Francisco, CA, in 2023). The essay frames its discussion of listening practices around contemporary ideas regarding acompañamiento, solidarity, encounter, and the role of civil society and “public religion” as cultural and institutional underpinnings of democracy. A restructured, more synodal church can enable “ethical democracy” in the future, in part through its practices of liturgy and encounter.

Decent work deficit in India: Deterioration and determinants

Abstract India is being projected internationally as a country of good growth and good governance, which in turn, it is asserted, should lead to prosperity for its people, especially in terms of proper employment, income, and overall standard of living. Drawing on certain dimensions of decent work proposed by International Labour Organization to measure the quality of employment in India, this article explores how far the notions of good/high growth and good governance discourse are corroborated by the evidence of good quality employment in India. The study is based on the nationally representative unit/individual-level data published by the Government of India during the three periods 2009–10, 2018–19, and 2022–23. The main findings of analysis are: (a) the overall quality of employment in India is poor and stagnant or deteriorating, and (b) the macro-level (sub-national state-level) aspects, such as the overall volume of economic activities, the extent of quality governance, the flexibility of business regulatory environment and better labour law-related compliance, have had a significant negative influence on the quality of employment. Thus, this paper suggests that the very policy environment and the pattern of economic growth have put a drag on the quality of employment in India. Given this, we suggest a variety of countervailing policy options and emphasise the role of civil society and politics.

Civil Society and the Struggle Against Media Freedom Violations in Ghana

ABSTRACT Per the recent rankings of Reporters Without Borders, media freedom in Ghana has been declining as a result of consistent and systematic harassment, physical abuses and even murder of journalists. For years, the literature has been aloof on the question of whether the civil society has been playing its constitutionally assigned duties of protecting the fourth estate. Using data from key informant interviews and within the lens of the libertarian theory of civil society, this study concludes that years of advocacy, activism and legal support for media personnel have cemented the role of civil society in Ghana not just as a protector of media freedom but also as an important vanguard against harassment, unfair prosecution and detention, physical assaults and even murder of journalists. Despite all the efforts from civil society organizations, violations of media freedom still occur frequently while civil society itself faces obstacles ranging from financial problems to media partisanship. This calls for financial and moral support from citizens and other independent organizations and more escalatory actions from the media and civil society such as the recent media blackout of politicians and public officials deemed as perpetrators.

THE ETHICS OF CIVIL SOCIETY WORK IS A BASIC PILLAR FOR ACHIEVING COMMUNITY SECURITY

Objective: This study aims to highlight one of the main roles of civil society within the legal entity of the state, in light of the participatory approach carried by the constitutional amendment in Algeria for the year 2020, through participation in the moralization of public life and contributing to achieving community security. Methods: The nature of the study required the use of different approaches. In its theoretical aspect, the descriptive approach was used to explain the participatory approach introduced by the Algerian constitutional amendment of 2020, while the tools of the analytical approach were used to discuss and analyze some parts of the study related to the ways and obstacles to employing the participatory approach on the ground, and the challenges that await it in order to achieve the desired community security. Results and discussion: In light of the challenges facing societies today, especially in light of technological developments and the accompanying fifth-generation wars at this particular time, which have made the idea a destructive weapon for the social fabric and an imminent threat to societal security within countries; for this reason, this study presents solutions to enhance the participatory approach decided upon from the technical and practical side, especially with regard to proposals for specialized training, and reorganizing the house of civil society organizations, before determining executive powers regulated by laws related to their activity. Conclusion: The participatory approach introduced by the 2020 constitutional amendment included important gains that we appreciate, but it faces practical obstacles due to its shortcomings and lack of activation mechanisms; this is what this study presents in the results reached, especially those related to rehabilitating the human cadre supervising civil society, and entrusting it with sufficient powers and guarantees capable of providing added value within the framework of achieving the desired community security, regulated by new legal frameworks that we propose within the framework of (the Associations Law - the Local Authorities Law...), parts of which the study proposes to amend.

Influence of the transformation of the legal system of Ukraine on the development of the theory of the state and law

The article is devoted to the analysis of modern challenges for the theory of the state and law in the context of the development of the legal system of Ukraine. Starting with the introduction, the author emphasises the relevance of the topic and emphasises the need to consider these issues in the Ukrainian context. The theoretical part of the article deals with a historical overview of the state and law, in particular, their development in Ukraine. The author draws attention to the key aspects of the formation of the theoretical foundations that formed the basis of the country’s modern legal system. Modern trends in the development of the legal system of Ukraine are also considered. The author analyzes various aspects such as corruption, human rights and the implementation of reforms. The problems and challenges faced by the Ukrainian legal system are highlighted, and possible ways to overcome them are outlined. A separate part is devoted to the influence of globalisation on changes in the concepts of the state and law. The author considers the phenomenon of globalisation as a factor affecting the modern legal system of Ukraine and highlights its consequences and opportunities for further development. In addition, the article examines the role of the Constitution of Ukraine in the formation of the legal system. The author analyzes the basic principles of the state and law enshrined in the Constitution and their significance for the functioning of the country’s legal system. Attention is drawn to international experience in solving challenges for the theory of the state and law. The author conducts a comparative analysis of different countries, which allows to highlight the best practices and use them to improve the legal system of Ukraine. A separate aspect is the role of civil society in the formation of the legal system. The author emphasises the importance of active participation of citizens in the legal process and their influence on the development of the legal system. In the conclusion, the author sums up the research and highlights the main conclusions regarding modern challenges for the theory of the state and law in Ukraine. It is noted that the further development of the country’s legal system requires complex measures and systemic reforms, as well as the active implementation of best practices and experience of other countries.

Contextualizing Human Rights in Multicultural Environments

This paper explores the intricate relationship between socio-cultural dynamics and human rights in multicultural societies. It examines how norms, belief systems, and power structures shape the perception and exercise of these universal principles. The study employs a qualitative research design, specifically using the Cultural Relativism Framework, to investigate how cultural norms and values influence the interpretation and application of human rights. Through the analysis of literature and case studies, the paper elucidates the interaction between cultural context and human rights interpretations. It acknowledges that human rights are not uniform but are influenced by diverse cultural contexts. Key findings underscore the significance of multiculturalism in human rights interpretation, the impact of social, cultural, and political contexts, the intersection of values, beliefs, and customs, and the roles of states, civil society, and international organizations in shaping human rights discourse. The paper advocates for educational initiatives, intercultural dialogue, inclusive policymaking, and legal reforms to promote and protect human rights in diverse societies. It recommends enhancing human rights education, facilitating intercultural exchange, empowering civil society, addressing discrimination and inequality, and integrating customary laws with formal legal systems. By fostering mutual respect and understanding, societies can uphold human rights and cultural diversity, enabling peaceful, equitable coexistence. This assertion is based on empirical observations and scientific principles that highlight the importance of mutual understanding in preserving human rights and promoting cultural diversity. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of human rights, advocating for a balance between universal principles and cultural specificities.

Democratising Nuclear Governance: The Role of African Civil Society in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)

Democratising Nuclear Governance: The Role of African Civil Society in the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)

Правовое обеспечение взаимодействия органов публичной власти с институтами гражданского общества

In the article, the author analyzes the role of civil society and its legal significance in the context of interaction with public authorities. The author concludes that in the absence of official consolidation of the concepts of “institution of civil society” and “civil society” in the legal field of the Russian Federation, it negatively affects the prospects and opportunities for the stable development and functioning of civil society and its institutions.

Historical development of political structures in the context of the modern russian-ukrainian war: key vectors

Introduction: The study aims to analyze the evolution of political institutions in Ukraine. Hence, the main objective is to analyze the evolution of political institutions in Ukraine within the framework of the modern Russian-Ukrainian war, with an emphasis on the main vectors of change and their impact on the country's political system. Methods: The research employed content analysis, thematic analysis, and coding to systematically examine relevant scientific literature and other sources on the topic. These methods were applied to identify and categorize Ukraine's political structures' main themes and transformations.Results: The results determined that the most significant changes in the system of development of political structures took place after the Revolution of Dignity and the beginning of the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014, which necessitated systemic changes in the political organization of Ukraine. It was also established that Russian aggression influenced active transformations in the political structures of Ukraine, in particular, the modernization of the state apparatus, the growing role of civil society, active international support, decentralization of power, and strengthening of national identity. Conclusions: The conclusions also emphasize that there are challenges related to the crisis of confidence in parliamentarism and the party system. However, the study recognized that the transformations that took place as a result of Russian aggression created new opportunities for the development of the state body and political structures of Ukraine

Civil Society Participation and Suicide Rates: A Cross-National Analysis

Previous valuable research has examined the effect individual-level social and psychological factors have on suicidality. However, scholarship has yet to investigate the role civil society participation plays in suicide rates cross-nationally. Thus, this study examines the effect civil society participation has on suicide rates in 156 countries from varying levels of development from 2000 – 2019 from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. When including standard controls and controlling for potential endogeneity, the findings indicate that civil society participation, both political and non-political, has a negative and statistically significant effect on suicide rates. The results suggest that both political and non-political forms of civil society participation may produce positive social and psychological benefits that are associated with lower suicide rates.

National risk assessment of Italian school buildings: The MARS project experience

Strategic buildings, such as schools, play a crucial role in civil society. They are essential not only for the well-being of communities but also for their significance during the emergency and recovery phases following an earthquake. Reliable risk assessment is a powerful tool for implementing effective mitigation strategies. While considerable work has been already done in the literature to develop fragility curves and risk studies for residential buildings, there remains a noticeable gap in addressing risk assessment for school portfolios. As part of the 2019–2021 MARS (Seismic Risk MAps) project, funded by the Italian Civil Protection Department and involving the ReLUIS consortium along with the EUCENTRE foundation, a specific task was dedicated to evaluating seismic risk for the Italian school buildings. In this context, eight research units combined their expertise to develop a consensus-based vulnerability model, known as the “School-MARS model”. This model integrates fragility curves based on various approaches (i.e. empirical, mechanical-analytical, mechanical-numerical and hybrid) and is tailored to archetypes representative of the Italian school buildings. The main goal of the paper is outlining the methodology used to define the “School-MARS vulnerability model”. Moreover, the paper demonstrates the application of the latter for performing intensity-based and time-based risk analyses. Specifically, the results are presented in terms of damage distribution and usability ratings expected for the entire stock of Italian school building. Notably, these results indicate that approximately 26 % of Reinforced Concrete (RC) buildings and 31 % of Unreinforced Masonry (URM) structures may become unusable due to potential earthquakes expected in the next 50 years.

Correction to: Editors’ Introduction: An Overview of the Role of Civil Society in International Justice

Correction to: Editors’ Introduction: An Overview of the Role of Civil Society in International Justice

A Legal Appraisal of the Application of the Death Penalty in Cameroon

This paper provides a comprehensive legal appraisal of the death penalty’s application in Cameroon, evaluating its constitutional, legal, and human rights dimensions. Despite the global trend towards abolition, Cameroon continues to implement capital punishment, sparking intense debate regarding its alignment with international human rights standards and constitutional guarantees. The study examines the statutory framework governing the death penalty in Cameroon, including relevant provisions of the Cameroonian Penal Code and the Constitution. It assesses the recent legal reforms and international treaties on the death penalty’s application. Through a critical analysis of judicial practices, and case law, the paper highlights inconsistencies and challenges in the implementation process. The appraisal further explores the socio-political and ethical implications of capital punishment in Cameroon, considering public opinion and the role of civil society. The study adopts a qualitative research methodology which makes use of empirical methods such as observation. It also makes use of the doctrinal method which entails content analysis of primary and secondary data. Ultimately, the study advocates for a reassessment of the death penalty’s role in the justice system, emphasizing the need for reforms to align with evolving human rights norms and ensure fair and equitable application of justice.

Strengthening Citizenship Attitudes Through Civil Society in Elementary School Students in Mandailing Natal

The decline in citizenship attitudes among elementary school students is a significant concern requiring urgent attention. Citizenship attitudes, encompassing consciousness, responsibility, participation, and loyalty as Indonesian citizens, are crucial in molding individuals who contribute positively to national life. Recent incidents of bullying, violence, and intolerance in elementary schools across Indonesia highlight a disturbing trend, emphasizing the urgent need for action. Bullying incidents, particularly in Mandailing Natal District, persist due to factors like seniority culture and lack of empathy, exacerbating students' vulnerability. To address this decline, civil society's role is essential, yet its full potential remains untapped due to various constraints. Understanding this background is crucial for effective intervention design. Civil society can reinforce citizenship attitudes, advocate social righteousness, and enhance national integration, emphasizing values like legal awareness, social responsibility, and tolerance. Child-friendly school environments and active participation in civil society programs can empower students and foster inclusive communities. Strengthening citizenship attitudes requires curriculum integration, extracurricular activities, and teacher training to enhance students' awareness and critical thinking. Collaborative efforts involving schools, teachers, students, and the local community are vital, along with investment in resources and partnerships. By reinforcing citizenship attitudes, we can cultivate individuals committed to democracy, tolerance, and social responsibility, fostering a harmonious and inclusive society.

Trans-Local Climate Politics in Ordinary Cities: From Local Agenda 21 to Transition Towns to Climate Emergency Declarations

This article addresses the question of how ordinary cities, conceptualized here in a simplified way as peripheralized small and medium-sized cities, navigate (the complexities of) climate policy and planning. To do so, we elaborate on three temporal waves of trans-municipal environmental politics that have simultaneously shaped municipal climate politics in many places globally: (a) the Local Agenda 21, between 1992–2002; (b) the Transition Towns movement, between 2006 and 2015; and (c) recent climate emergency declarations, in place since 2016. Interestingly, the thousands of participating municipalities include not only the well-known frontrunners but also many small and medium-sized cities. Some have come into contact with climate and transformation issues for the first time, others have even been pioneers for much larger cities. However, the three waves also each have different characteristics in terms of underlying governance models, theory of change and scope of transition, role of planning and civil society, or output orientation. Through the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, an overview of interlinkages between the three climate policy waves in German ordinary cities is compiled from publicly accessible databases. In addition, qualitative impressions allow for statements on the actors of this transformation processes, including municipal governments and councils, civil society organizations and social movements, various bridging agents, and trans-national municipal networks. This perspective on (referential and institutional) continuities is deepened in a case study on the medium-sized town of Marburg, Hesse. As participating cities in all three waves are predominantly located in the Global North, the article aims to also contribute to the application of the “ordinary city model” to regionally peripheralized cities in globally non-peripheral regions.

Fertile grounds: Co-creating agroecological knowledge in a pluriverse

How can civil society support community-based organizing that puts ways of knowing and being at the heart of food systems change? Drawing upon a collaboration between 2 nonprofit organizations and a community-based network of rural women across Bangladesh, this essay explores frictions and contradictions that trouble our efforts to co-create knowledge for agroecological transformations. Rather than suggesting these troubles can be resolved, we attempt to stay with them in this article, locating them as vital disruptions to the hegemonic order of one-world-making. Using personal vignettes as framing devices, we combine critical analysis, art, and poetry to explore working with and within a plurality of ways of knowing and being. With a vignette about soil, we begin with unsettling questions about what constitutes knowledge in a world where constructs of truth and belief rub up against each other. We then tension this in the context of agroecological markets and social justice activism as these intersect with different notions of relationality. We pursue this further by introducing a narrative-framing tool called a “value web” which mobilizes both material and immaterial domains of agroecology. Finally, we conclude by examining the role of international civil society in food system transformation and raising fundamental questions of allyship which help us navigate the constitutive contradictions of knowledge co-creation.

Low-Income Homeownership and Safety Nets: The Role of Radical Community Practices

ABSTRACT Nonprofit networks that oversee housing accessibility within urban neighbourhoods emerge as crucial arenas for inducing transformative shifts in policy and practice in the United States. However, civil society actors are subject to considerable critique in the discourse on radical planning theory. They are often alleged to be hand in glove with state and market actors in enabling displacement and dispossession of marginalised groups. This study challenges some of these entrenched positions and provides important counter-narratives on the transformative roles of civil society. Delving into the roles of various institutions that facilitate low-income homeownership, community building, and neighbourhood stabilisation, the study reveals that civil society actors present opportunities for subaltern expression, disruptive activism, and structural transformation in power relationalities. Their strategies respond to wealth-building pathways through housing and address intersectional challenges related to identity, citizenship, and access, thus reaffirming their transformative potential in the urban planning discourse.

Democratically digging together: A study of archaeology and civil society

Protecting archaeological sites increases the sense of belonging among the population. Political culture in authoritarian countries limits citizens’ opportunities for freedom of action and civic engagement. The authorities may perceive such engagement as a threat to the regime. Nevertheless, civic activism in protecting archaeological sites can provide an opportunity to increase the role of civil society in policymaking. This article interrogates civil society’s role concerning archaeology and its preservation in Kazakhstan. It considers three cases of how local communities participate in archaeological projects and their protection. It concludes that the degree of community involvement and the number of people involved in rural and urban settings differ. Kazakhstan occasionally manifests vigorous civic activity on archaeological issues at the national level. However, a certain level of resistance may demonstrate the potential for democratic development, with archaeology as one of the practical tools of civil liberty at the grassroot level.

Targeted Sanctions as a Pathway to Accountability

Abstract The growth of ‘Magnitsky-style’ targeted sanctions has ushered in a new chapter in the history of sanctions practice that places civil society actors in an increasingly empowered position. The development of new legal and policy frameworks in several jurisdictions, led by the USA, has formalized an active role for civil society in governments’ sanction designation processes. By creating a legal framework for civil society engagement, the US Magnitsky laws enshrined the importance of civil society as a source of evidence on human rights and corruption issues into law. This article draws on the experience and observations of, and interviews with, sanctions practitioners who have witnessed the increasing role that civil society is taking in Magnitsky-style sanctions. The article begins by asking why civil society engages with targeted sanctions, before examining the legal and policy frameworks through which civil society actors engage with governments. It looks at five jurisdictions where civil society is taking an active role, the USA, UK, European Union, Canada, and Australia. The article describes the emergence of ‘sanctions clearing houses’ — organizations that act as intermediaries between global civil society and the governments with which they are trying to engage. The article considers present civil society perspectives on current barriers to engagement with sanctions regimes and concludes by emphasizing the importance of civil society engagement in this area, providing recommendations to foster this engagement.

An urban rivers renaissance? Stream restoration and green–blue infrastructure in Latin America – Insights from urban planning in Colombia

AbstractWhile urban river restoration has become mainstream in the Global North, it remains scarce in Latin America, where most literature focuses on water quality, stream habitats, and watershed assessment, but planning and implementation lag behind. Colombia is undergoing a paradigm shift after pioneering the integration of green and blue infrastructure (GBI) into urban planning in the early 2000s (namely Estructura Ecológica Principal). A surge in river renaturalization initiatives is underway, with large and intermediate cities planning and executing projects. We systematically assessed the integration of rivers and GBI into local policies (Planes de Ordenamiento Territorial) and found widespread and strong recognition of streams, wetlands, and ecosystem services in urban planning, higher than previously reported. Most cities emphasize river multifunctionality, ecological connectivity, public space, and recreation, as well as disaster risk reduction, advancing toward sustainable urban water and drainage systems. However, significant gaps persist regarding climate change resilience, participation, and social justice. In a region marked by high inequality, pre-existing spatial exclusion could be amplified by urban renewal, greening, and tourism due to unfair resettlement conditions and gentrification. Such trade-offs can undermine the ecological and social benefits of restoration. We highlight the crucial role of civil society and grassroots activism in protecting and defending urban commons and conclude by recommending a critical examination of GBI and river restoration efforts in Latin America. Colombia’s case can serve as both a reference and a cautionary tale for other cities in the region to achieve outcomes that promote equity and justice amid pressing social and environmental challenges.