Impact Of Civil Society Research Articles

The wave of consent-based rape laws in Europe

After years of feminist struggle, international conventions, and the #MeToo movement, consent-based rape laws have rapidly been replacing coercion-based laws across Europe since 2017. In May 2023, we identified 20 European consent-based rape laws, and more were in progress. This article analyses the emergence and convergence of these laws, drawing on the theory of institutional isomorphism. The analysis is based on a collection of criminal codes, draft laws, news articles, previous research, and input from national experts. We map a timeline of consent-based rape laws in Europe and describe their key elements, identifying patterns such as international pressure, influential countries, civil society impact, and cases of sexual violence triggering national debates preceding legislative changes.

The Impact of Civil Society and Social Movements on Advancing Democracy and Protection of Human Rights in Africa

This research paper examines the role of civil society, including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and social movements, in promoting democratic governance and protecting human rights across Africa. It explores the various ways civil society actors contribute to a stronger Pan-African democratic landscape, while acknowledging the challenges they face. The paper will discuss how NGOs advocate for policy change, monitor elections, and empower citizens. Social movements will be examined for their role in mobilizing communities and raising awareness of human rights abuses.

Violence Against Women in Turkey and the Impact of Civil Society

In recent years, gender equality and women’s rights have been in the spotlight of international policymaking. However, in many cases, those efforts are not met with equal results. Women internationally continue to face discriminatory behavior and violence in all forms, both in socio-economic and political life. In Turkey, this issue remains largely unsanctioned, encouraging this type of violation of women’s basic human rights. Civil society organizations in Turkey play a very important part in applying pressure on the government and raising awareness on the importance of protecting women’s rights and eradicating gender-based violence. This policy brief examines the current situation of women rights in Turkey as well as the impact of civil society in the protection and empowerment of women.

The Impact of Civil Society on Control of Corruption: A Comparative Study of Russia and Iran

This paper studies the role of civil society in controlling corruption in public services in two developing countries: Russia and Iran. Research on the relationship between civil society and corruption control in these two countries is insufficient. Selecting Russia and Iran for comparison is based on similarities between them in terms of economic and political systems, and the developments of their civil societies. This paper compares the historical developments and the status of corruption and civil society in both countries; the efforts that civil society actors have made in battling corruption; and the state’s reaction to these attempts. This study covers a period of almost three decades from the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 to 2020. The findings of the study show that the civil societies in both countries have had limited impact on controlling corruption over the period. Although these findings do not support a prominent role for civil society in control of corruption in past, the author argues that, according to some evidence, there is a possibility of a stronger role for civil society in combatting corruption in both countries in the future.

Good seed makes a good crop? The relationship between civil society and post-independence democracy levels

ABSTRACT The impact of civil society on democracy is contested. Some argue that Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are important ‘schools of democracy’ and may foster democratic consolidation. Others emphasize that anti-democratic CSOs may undermine democracy. This debate is particularly relevant in the context of newly independent states. At that critical juncture, both democratic and authoritarian regime trajectories are possible. Societal preconditions – such as the state of civil society – can therefore be particularly relevant for the way forward. To what extent does the nature of CSOs prior to independence has an impact on the subsequent level of democracy? We argue that the existence of democratic CSOs prior to independence strengthens post-independence democracy whereas non-democratic CSOs have a detrimental effect. For the first time, this argument is empirically tested, using Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) data on 91 cases of independence since 1905. The empirical results demonstrate that the presence of democratic CSOs prior to independence is positively correlated, whereas non-democratic CSOs are negatively correlated to democracy levels following independence.

Impact of Civil Society in Policy and Governance: How Art Impacts the Society’s Awareness

As we progress towards an informed and participatory society, we seek more creative ways to express our support or dissent towards the state or our fellow citizens. Arts provide a unique platform for such expressions and have been influencing the collective conscience of people for generations. It has given a voice to the people against injustice and political apathy and has been building a stronger community that stands against the wrath of the government. In December 2019, when the Indian Parliament approved the Citizenship Amendment, the nation witnessed a massive surge in reliance on different forms of art to raise awareness and bring people together. The Internet and social media have propelled these artworks to the global arena and have made protesting more accessible. From human rights violations to corruption, art has touched every arena of social activism. This paper seeks to explore the influence of arts on society and how it has been a catalyst for social change.

The Impact of Civil Society on Governance in Lesotho

The article acknowledges that Lesotho governance has been characterised by unstable democracy since its attainment of independence in 1966, which makes civil society and other democratic institutions unable to pursue their roles as expected. The proposed solution to overcome predicaments that Lesotho faces was to have active and vibrant democratic institutions such as civil societies, ombudsman, political parties, independent media, independent electoral commissions and the legislative, executive and judiciary. The article aims to bridge the gap by examining published literature and documentary review, which clearly elucidate how good governance can be achieved in a democratic country with the help of active democratic institutions. The article highlights the importance of active and vibrant civil society in governance and public policy. The article concludes by justifying that in deed the government of Lesotho should accept and allow participation of civil society so as to be able to realise its contribution and the important role played by it. Also, civil society in Lesotho must distance themselves from suspicions that they are political parties in disguise.

Evolving role of North African civil society actors in the foreign policymaking process: youth, women’s, labour and human rights organisations

ABSTRACTThis article examines the evolving foreign policy roles of four sets of civil society actors – youth, women’s, labour and human rights groups – in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia during the Arab Spring and beyond. Our findings demonstrate that civil society groups initially flourished in the Arab Spring, with the region’s average ‘civil society rights score’ registering positive increases in 2011 and 2012. The period of 2013 to 2018 witnessed a deterioration in this average score, as civil society faced an authoritarian backlash from illiberal (authoritarian) and liberal (democratic) North African regimes. An examination of individual civil society organisations further demonstrates a range of influence on foreign policy. Youth groups exert the least impact on North African foreign policies, despite high expectations associated with their central role in revolutionary protests and change associated with the Arab Spring. In contrast, women’s, labour and especially human rights organisations have played more influential if still limited foreign policy roles. Finally, the impact of civil society on foreign policy is strongly mediated by a country’s level of democracy. Only in Tunisia, which made a successful transition to democracy, have civil society organisations in the post-Arab Spring continuously enjoyed the freedoms to organise, protest and provide input into policy, including foreign policy.

The Eastern partnership in Georgia: Europeanizing civil society?

Through the Eastern Partnership the EU specifically attempts to strengthen democracy in Georgia. Lacking strong conditionality, the EU has to rely on a different approach to democracy assistance, such as a network governance mode. The implementation of EU policies has led to an expanding institutional network where NGO inclusion has been strengthened. However, this form of network governance operates within the realities of the domestic political and international context, influencing its effectiveness and impact. Despite the increased involvement of NGOs in EU policies the role and impact of civil society within Georgian politics and society has remained limited.

Civil society and small town capitalism: the case of Arni

The paper explores the impact of civil society on India’s capitalist development. While the concept of civil society is controversial, the interpretations of the phenomenon can be reduced to two major views. The first view builds on the optimistic analysis by Alexis de Tocqueville, who introduces the idea of civil society as a partnership of equal individuals that promote the common good, and the second view builds on the analysis by Antonio Gramsci, who sees civil society as the organization that supports the hegemony of the dominant classes pursuing particularistic interests. The paper focuses on India’s civil society having in mind these alternative views in order to explore which one of the two fits better to the case. The paper builds on the hypothesis that, due to the widespread informality of India’s economy, the associations of civil society are a major character in India’s society, playing a crucial regulative role in substitution of the state, and that the analysis of civil society enhances the understanding of capitalist organization and of the power relations governing it. The argument is that it is hardly appropriate to interpret India’s organized society as ‘good’ civil society, while the Gramscian interpretation appears to be more appropriate to the Indian case in which the organizations of civil society are the tools to regulate the economy, managing interest conflicts and building social consensus over the hegemony of the elites. The argument is supported with evidence coming from Arni, a market town in Provincial India in which the economy is vastly informalized and the market is not the prevailing organizing principle, while institutions and structures produced in civil society regulate economic transactions.

ГРОМАДЯНСЬКЕ СУСПІЛЬСТВО ЯК ГОЛОВНИЙ ДРАЙВЕР СТІЙКОСТІ ГРОМАД В УМОВАХ ДЕЦЕНТРАЛІЗАЦІЇ

The article considers a set of issues related to the formation of sustainability in the state at different levels of government: national, regional and local, with an emphasis on the sustainability of territorial communities. The concept of "sustainability" is defined, the criteria of sustainability for national security and its components at the local level are analyzed, in particular, in the formation of affluent communities. Sustainability is considered in various aspects: as a component of national security and defense of the state, in relation to the concepts of "cohesion" and "national security". Financial stability is justified as an important sign of the viability of local communities. The role of civil society in shaping the sustainability of communities is revealed, as well as different views of scientists on the impact of civil society on sustainability are analyzed. The foreign experience of implementation of the basic principles of sustainability in the life of communities is studied. The most important component of sustainability is the ability of the community to consolidate to counteract harmful and dangerous external and internal influences. Open partnership of public authorities with business structures and the public should be a prerequisite for this. It is proved that in the conditions of decentralization and various internal and external challenges, civil society (active citizens and civil society institutions) can and should be a driver of community sustainability. It is assumed that the implementation of state policy to promote the development of civil society should create a solid foundation of democracy in Ukraine as a component of national sustainability. Since the systemic mechanisms for ensuring national sustainability in the Ukrainian state at both national and local levels are not yet fully formed, the development and implementation of comprehensive strategic decisions in this area requires proper scientific substantiation, which is why the author’s contribution to this topic.

Assessing the Overall Impact of Civil Society on Development at the Country Level: An Exploratory Approach

Very little is known about the wider and longer‐term contribution of civil‐society organisations to development and poverty reduction. Evaluators have shied away from making judgements for lack of data: rigour has trumped relevance. This article reports on the work of a panel set up by NORAD in response to growing pressure from the public to assess the wider impact of CSOs at the country level. It comes to the conclusion that CSOs have made a significant wider impact, but that this would be greater if donors were to encourage them more to think beyond the narrow focus on discrete projects and if they were to adopt a more strategic approach to their work.

Combating The Kidney Commerce: Civil Society against Organ Trafficking in Pakistan and Israel

Can civil society bring governments to curb transnational crime? The article answers this question by analyzing a most-likely case for civil-society influence: organ trafficking. Physicians' efforts to eliminate this practice are examined in Pakistan and Israel: two major participants in the global organ trade. In both countries, the physicians' pressure resulted in the enactment of organ-trade prohibitions. These, however, were not fully enforced. The analysis suggests that, even under favorable conditions, civil society's impact on transnational-crime policies is limited, yet not inconsequential: Pakistan's involvement in organ trafficking, and even more so Israel's, has declined. Beyond its contribution to understanding civil society's role in the criminalization process, the article sheds light on the hitherto little-studied politics of the organ trade.

Combating the Kidney Commerce: Civil Society against Organ Trafficking in Pakistan and Israel

Can civil society bring governments to curb transnational crime? The article answers this question by analyzing a most-likely case for civil-society influence: organ trafficking. Physicians' efforts to eliminate this practice are examined in Pakistan and Israel: two major participants in the global organ trade. In both countries, the physicians' pressure resulted in the enactment of organ-trade prohibitions. These, however, were not fully enforced. The analysis suggests that, even under favorable conditions, civil society's impact on transnational-crime policies is limited, yet not inconsequential: Pakistan's involvement in organ trafficking, and even more so Israel's, has declined. Beyond its contribution to understanding civil society's role in the criminalization process, the article sheds light on the hitherto little-studied politics of the organ trade.

From group recognition to labour market insertion: civil society and Canada's changing immigrant settlement regime

Canada has the second highest rate of immigration in the world and retains a very high rate of conversion of new immigrants into citizens. But naturalization rates are now beginning to fall at a time when the federal government approach both to the operation of multicultural policies and to the funding of civil society has been subject to a profound restructuring of welfare institutions that has downplayed group claims to civic entitlements and emphasized the insertion of immigrants into the labour market. This article draws on documentary evidence and interviews with chief executives of immigrant serving organizations in an Ontario city to show how these changes have affected the role of civil society in immigrant settlement. It argues that the Canadian case provides strong support for the view that the impact of civil society on immigrant political integration is governed by opportunities and constraints in the political environment in which it operates.

Reassessing the Impact of Civil Society: Nonprofit Sector, Press Freedom, and Corruption

The notion that a strong civil society helps to fight corruption has become a cornerstone of governance policy. Yet, a continuing dearth of empirical research, which tests this general proposition and probes the relevant causal mechanisms, feeds rising skepticism of current policy initiatives. This study theorizes the relationship between civil society and corruption, arguing that civil society's impact depends to a large extent on its ability to generate sufficient public pressure which, in turn, depends on the press being free. Analysis of cross‐national and longitudinal data shows that civil society strength is indeed inversely linked to the level of corruption, but the impact is highly dependent on press freedom. This conditioning effect affirms the importance of the public pressure mechanism. These results explain the need for policy to target both civil society and press freedom in promoting accountable governance and sustainable development.

The Role of Civil Society in Creating the International Criminal Court Statute: Ten Years On and Looking Back

This article demonstrates that civil society, in particular the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (Coalition), played a significant role in the creation of the Statute for the ICC. At the ten year anniversary of the ICC entry into force, a reflection on the impact of civil society in this particular treaty negotiation is useful and aims to tell an important element of the ICC story often not exposed. The Coalition was developed to act as an umbrella for a range of organisations wishing to see a just and effective ICC and was actively involved in the negotiations in New York and Rome. From writing papers, directly lobbying delegates, hosting meetings and events, creating daily updates and linking the UN discussions back to capitals, members of the Coalition worked hard on ensuring a voice wider than State representatives was heard in the debate. The Coalition members also provided a crucial connection with the media and added creativity, emotion and colour to the diplomatic negotiations. Noting the philosophical differences between various groups within civil society on the ICC and the careful processes and procedures used by the Coalition, this article highlights the tension between diversity and efficiency within the non-government organisation community.

Lost in Translation? Civil Society, Faith-Based Organizations and the Negotiation of International Norms

The impact of civil society on transitional justice is complex in part because civil society is composed of a multitude of actors, faith-based and secular, whose preferences for accountability and truth reflect their varying interests and beliefs about justice. Transnational faith-based and secular actors have played a central role in mobilizing support for liberal-legal strategies designed to hold perpetrators of mass atrocities accountable. Local faith-based actors have been resilient to pressure for conformity and have instead played a pivotal role in adapting international accountability norms and embedding them in local practices. Other locally rooted actors in civil society have rejected or adapted international strategies despite sharing an understanding of justice with international civil society actors. This article develops a framework for understanding the roles different civil society actors play in navigating and negotiating the boundary between international expectations for accountability and local practice. Its premise is that normative contestation over appropriate strategies for dealing with the past is robust, and that much of this contestation takes place through the work of civil society actors who translate global norms into local practice rather than through vigorous public debate.

Can Civil Society Succeed Where Elites Have Failed in the War on Sectarianism? Towards an Infinitely Demanding Politics for the North

Caught between the well-armed imaginations of paramilitary organisations competing for the hearts and minds of a divided population, and state engineering of a liberal peace, civil society's impact on Northern Ireland's identity politics was limited during the thirty-year conflict. Specifically, the community and voluntary sector itself has tended to replicate as much as it challenged patterns of segregation in many of its own structures. With plans set out in the Northern Ireland Executive's Programme for Government (2008–11) to engage civil society in opening a new era of ‘good relations’ work to counter sectarianism and racism, civil society organisations will face a complex terrain, facing scepticism about their contribution to peace-making before the Good Friday Agreement, and working in a post-Agreement environment marked by continuing elite and communal antagonism demonstrated by the crisis at the turn of 2009 over devolution of justice and policing powers to the Northern Ireland Executive. A significant aspect of the resolution was a belated agreement by Sinn Fein and the DUP on a new community relation strategy, Cohesion, Sharing and Integration. This article suggests that civil society has a significant role to play in encouraging communities to confront the contradictions and tensions that continue to haunt the political architects of the Good Friday Agreement by affirming a radical and contingent vision of democracy as democratisation at a distance from the identity-saturated politics of the state-region of Northern Ireland. It draws on the work of Simon Critchley, Emmanuel Levinas and Wendy Brown, to offer an approach to identity politics in post-conflict Northern Ireland, focusing on the future orientation of civil society.

Can Civil Society Succeed Where Elites Have Failed in the War on Sectarianism?: Towards an Infinitely Demanding Politics for the North

Caught between the well armed imaginations of paramilitary organisations competing for the hearts and minds of a divided population, and State engineering of a liberal peace, civil society's impact on Northern Ireland's identity politics was limited during the thirty-year conflict. Specifically, the community and voluntary sector itself has tended to replicate as much as it challenged patterns of segregation in many of its own structures. With plans set out in the Northern Ireland Executive's Programme for Government (2008-2011) to engage civil society in opening a new era of good relations work to counter sectarianism and racism, civil society organisations will face a complex terrain, facing scepticism about their contribution to peace making before the Good Friday Agreement, and working in a post-Agreement environment marked by continuing elite and communal antagonism demonstrated by the crisis at the turn of 2009 over devolution of justice and policing powers to the Northern Ireland Executive. A significant aspect of the resolution was a belated agreement by Sinn Fein and the DUP on a new community relation strategy, Cohesion, Sharing and Integration.