Civil Society in the Global South (Routledge Studies in Development and Society)

In recent years civil society has been seen as a key route for democracy promotion and solving development ‘problems’ in low-income countries. However, the very concept of civil society is deeply rooted in European traditions and values. In pursuing civil society reform in non-Western countries, many scholars along with well-meaning international agencies and donor organisations fail to account for non-Western values and historical experiences. Civil Society in the Global South seeks to redress this balance by offering diverse accounts of civil society from the global South, authored by scholars and researchers who are reflecting on their observations of civil society in their own countries. The countries studied in the volume range from across Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East to give a rich account of how countries from the global south conceptualise and construct civil society. The book demonstrates how local conditions are often unsuited to the ideal type of civil society as delineated in Western values, for instance in cases where numerous political, racial and ethnic sub-groups are ‘fighting’ for autonomy. By disentangling local contexts of countries from across the global South, this book demonstrates that it is important to view civil society through the lens of local conditions, rather than viewing it as something that needs to be ‘discovered’ or ‘manufactured’ in non-Western societies. Civil Society in the Global South will be particularly useful to high-level students and scholars within development studies, sociology, anthropology, social policy, politics, international relations and human geography. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of illustrations List of contributors 1 Introduction – civil society in the global South Background A brief overview of civil society About the book Notes References 2 Civil society in China: Historical evolution, ongoing transformation, and future prospects Chinese conception of civil society Historical contours and evolution of civil society formations in China Scholarly debate and intellectual deliberations Ongoing transformations, emerging trends, and future prospects References 3 Reconsidering the concept of civil society: Insights from the experiences of Thailand 1 Introduction 2 Framework for reconsidering civil society 3 Thai civil society: transformations in context and conditions 4 A case study of the CODI’s network 5 Reconsidering civil society: lessons from Thailand 6 Conclusion Notes References 4 Re-emerging civic activism: Restoring the ‘ecosystem’ of Armenian civil society Introduction Theoretical framework A brief history of civil society in Armenia Civic initiatives Looking ahead: contemporary civil society in Armenia Conclusion Notes References 5 The changing roles and impacts of civil society/NGOs in Nepal Background Introduction The process of evolution and transformation of voluntary social institutions into modern NGOs in the context of Nepal The development of modern NGOs The role of NGOs in Nepal NGOs, donors, and Nepali government politics Community-based organizations (CBOs) and NGOs Conclusion Notes References 6 Civil society in Zimbabwe: Continuity and change Introduction and background Theorising civil society in Africa Civil society in Zimbabwe – socio-economic and political context Continuity and change Civil society in Zimbabwe: challenges and prospects Conclusion References 7 The multiple faces of civil society in India Introduction Is civil society a democratic force? Civil society in India Seva Mandir and the implementation of ‘constructive work’ programmes Astha and the movement for ‘claim-making’ The RVKP and mobilization against the ‘culturally alien’ Conclusion Notes References 8 The coalescence of the displaced: Syrian civil society beyond borders 1 Displacement of civil society 2 Conceptualizing civil society 3 Transnational networks of Syrian civil society 4 Reflections and prospects Notes References Interviews (date order) 9 Putting the T in LGBT: Trans and gender-diverse (in)visibility and activism in South Africa Introduction The emergence of LGBT civil society in South Africa Global North–global South trans participation Trans and gender-diverse civil society in South Africa Contemporary trans activism and the student Fallist movement Conclusion Acknowledgements Notes References 10 ‘Menyicil keadilan’ (installing justice): Civil society and transitional justice in Indonesia Introduction Transitional justice, post-transitional justice, and the roles of civil society Transitional justice in Indonesia ‘Mencicil keadilan’: the roles of civil society in Indonesia’s transitional justice Conclusion Bibliography 11 Authoritarian neoliberalism and Islamist civil society in Turkey Civil society in hybrid and authoritarian regimes Turkey’s transition from tutelary democracy to authoritarian neoliberalism State, market, and Islamic civil society in Turkey: connections, transactions, and linkages Conclusion Notes Bibliography 12 Symbolic power and Brazilian civil society in an age of globalism and populism Making sense of civil society Building a state–society balance through symbolic power When civil society embraces doxa Contesting the “new” doxa through strategic action Conclusion Notes References 13 Postcolonial perspectives on civil society in Mozambique: Towards an alternative approach for research and action 1 Introduction: civil society and development 2 Country context 3 Historical background of civil society in Mozambique 4 Specific roles of NGOs within Mozambican civil society 5 Implications for defining civil society and conceptual issues Final thoughts and conclusions Notes References 14 Civil society in Mexico: From theory to practice Introduction The concept of civil society and political theory The case of Mexico Conclusion Notes Bibliography Index "The concept of civil society is deeply rooted in European modernity and civil society. However, in recent years the idea of civil society has become a key route for democracy promotion and solving development 'problems' in poor countries. Many scholars along with well-meaning international agencies and donor organisations fail to account for non-Western values and historical experiences when they portray civil society in non-Western countries. Civil Society from the Global South seeks to redress this balance by offering diverse accounts of civil society from the Global South, authored by scholars and researchers who are reflecting on their observations of civil society in their own countries. The countries studied in the volume range from Africa to Latin America, Asia and the Middle East to give a rich account of how countries from the global south conceptualise and construct civil society. The book demonstrates how local conditions are often unsuited to the ideal type of civil society as delineated in western values, for instance in cases where numerous political, racial and ethnic sub-groups are 'fighting' for autonomy. By disentangling local contexts of countries from across the global south, this book demonstrates that it is important to view civil society through the lens of local conditions, rather than viewing it as something that needs to be 'discovered' or 'manufactured' in non-western societies. Civil Society from the Global South will be particularly useful to high level students and scholars within development studies, sociology, anthropology, social policy, politics, international relations and human geography"-- Provided by publisher