Civil Society and Philanthropy in Africa: Parallels, Paradoxes and Promise

2021 ◽  
pp. 089976402110574
Author(s):  
Ebenezer Obadare ◽  
Kelly Krawczyk

Civil society and philanthropy in Africa are regularly theorized in formal terms and oft perceived as inherently democratizing forces. Yet, existing evidence exposes the limitations of these assumptions. This article provides an introduction to the symposium issue on civil society and philanthropy in Africa. The objective of the introduction, and the articles contained in the symposium, is to examine important questions related to civil society and philanthropy on the continent: What is the complex history and role of civil society and philanthropy in Africa? How have donor dependence and professionalization affected the effectiveness of the third sector? What are the contours of the relationship between the state and civil society? We ask these crucial questions in an attempt to provide a more nuanced and contextualized understanding of civil society and philanthropy on the continent.

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Filipa Canavarro Morais ◽  
Andreia Antunes Moura

RESUMOA sociedade contemporânea debate-se com novos problemas sociais que necessitam de respostas diferentes e inovadoras. Assim, pretendeu-se compreender como aqueles que estão no terreno veem o papel da sociedade civil face ao Estado e mercado, a importância do terceiro setor, do associativismo e do voluntariado em Portugal e, especificamente, o turismo de voluntariado. Os resultados demonstram que há cada vez maior dinamismo da sociedade civil para colmatar problemas sociais a que o Estado ou setor privado não conseguem atender, e que o turismo de voluntariado tem vindo a despertar interesse e reconhecimento enquanto oportunidade de futuro.Palavras-chave: Voluntariado. Associativismo. Turismo. Ação Solidária. ABSTRACTContemporary society is struggling with new social problems that need different and innovative answers. Thus, it was intended to understand how those in the field see the role of civil society vis-à-vis the state and the market, the importance of the third sector, associations and volunteering in Portugal and, specifically, volunteer tourism. The results show that there is a growing dynamism of civil society in addressing social problems to wich the state or private sector cannot give an answer, and that volunteer tourism has been arousing interest and recognition as an opportunity for the future.Keywords: Volunteering. Associativism. Tourism. Solidarity Action.


2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMIE ELIZABETH JACOBS ◽  
MARTÍN MALDONADO

Among the many consequences of globalisation is the creation of new political spaces. As these emerge, new or redefined power relationships accompany the process. In the course of creating transnational relationships, citizenship, representation and the role of the stakeholders may be redefined. This article focuses on the case of Argentina and on the role of civil society orgnisations (CSOs) in the process of political integration. The relationship between the state and civil society has sparked a debate about the core status of the political system as the third sector assumes roles traditionally belonging exclusively to the state. This raises issues regarding the difference between rights and services, the sources of legitimacy and efforts to enhance accountability, among others. The existing and potential channels of regional cooperation in the context of Mercosur illustrate the interplay between domestic, regional and global norms and institutions. This article emphasises the role of organised civil society in providing sense and meaning in the formation and awareness of supranational concerns, but is sceptical about its possibilities of providing and guaranteeing rights, tasks that still remain in the sphere of the state.


2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
М.М. Muratova ◽  
◽  
М. Onuchko ◽  

This article is devoted to the study of the international and Kazakhstani experience of building, regulation of relations between the state and civil society institutions, the definition of modern directions for the development of the third sector of Kazakhstan, as well as barriers and constraints that impede the transformation of relations between government bodies and non-profit organizations. In the framework of the study the experience of European states was taken, as countries that in historical perspective have the greatest experience in establishing relationships with the civil sector. On the basis of the study, the authors identified general tendencies that characterize the relations between the state and civil society, which are expressed in the strengthening of support for the third sector, the managerial and controlling functions of civil society institutions, as well as the replacement of some areas of activity of state bodies by non-governmental organizations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-221
Author(s):  
Ocimar Barros de Oliveira ◽  
Walkiria Martinez Heinrich Ferrer

O presente trabalho aborda a participação democrática nas políticas públicas pelas denominadas entidades do terceiro setor, organizadas e administradas pela sociedade civil e suas relações com o Estado na implementação de atividades de interesse público e auxílio de implementação das políticas públicas. A escolha do tema reflete na importância de se analisar esta relação frente às teorias democráticas, em especial a teoria da democracia participativa, bem como os efeitos positivos e negativos oriundos desta relação.  Tem-se por objetivo, na primeira parte do trabalho, definir e identificar as entidades que integram o terceiro setor e a importância das relações existentes entre tais entidades e o Estado, para a consolidação da democracia. Na segunda parte, identificar algumas atividades de utilidade pública realizadas pelas entidades do terceiro setor e relevância para a efetivação de políticas públicas. No terceiro momento, é realizada uma análise das consequências positivas e/ou negativas nas relações entre tais entidades do terceiro setor e o Estado. O método de abordagem utilizado é dedutivo, combinado com os métodos de pesquisa bibliográfico e documental.  Em conclusão, percebe-se a importância da democracia participativa, no contexto de organização da sociedade civil, criando instituições capazes de ocupar o espaço público e auxiliar na tomada de decisões políticas dialogadas, dentro da concepção da teoria discursiva de Jürgen Habermas. Contudo, há que se traçar uma linha demarcatória visível entre Estado e entidades do terceiro setor, ante aos perigos de captura de interesses e de desvirtuamento do processo democrático que podem advir desta relação. Palavras-chave: Democracia. Poder público. Terceiro setor.  This paper approaches the democratic participation in public policies by the entities denominated as the third sector – which are organized and administrated by the civil society – and its relationships with the government in implementing public interest activities and helping in the application of public policies. The importance of choosing the subject reflects on the relevance of analyzing that relationship based on the democratic theories, especially the participatory democracy theory, as well as the positive and negative effects from such relation. The goal, in the first part of this study, is to define and identify the entities that constitute the third sector and the importance of the existing relations among those entities and the State for the consolidation of democracy. In the second part, the objective is to point out some utility services carried out by third sector entities and its relevance for the fulfillment of public policies. Afterwards, it has been conducted an analysis of the positive and/or negative consequences regarding the relationships among the afore mentioned entities and the State. The method of approach that has been used is deductive, in combination with a bibliographic and document analysis. In conclusion, there can be noticed the importance of participatory in the context of the organization of civil society, originating institutions capable of occupying the public space and assisting in the making of dialogical political decisions, within the conception of the discursive theory of Jürgen Habermas. However, it is necessary to draw a visible line of demarcation between the State and third sector entities, given the dangers of capturing interests and distorting the democratic process that may result from this relationship. Keywords: Democracy; Public Power; Third sector. 


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