Supporting Civil Society: The Political Role Of Non-governmental Organizations In Central America (international Political Economy Series)

Many analysts are looking to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as the promoters of more equitable and democratic forms of development because of their status as actors in civil society. Based on a critical evaluation of six rural development projects in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Supporting Civil Society shows that NGOs often perpetuate paternalism and dependency. It is argued that both international and national NGOs need to support social movements which are best able to express the demands of people at the grassroots. Front Matter....Pages i-xv Introduction: Civil Society, the State and Non-Governmental Organizations in Central America....Pages 1-28 State and Civil Society in Central America....Pages 29-59 The Political Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Costa Rica....Pages 60-96 The Political Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Nicaragua....Pages 97-139 Toward Global Civil Society?....Pages 140-159 Back Matter....Pages 160-195 Laura Macdonald. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.