Civil society in developing countries: an analysis of donor interventions

The paper presents a critical analysis of the civil society discourse emanating from development agencies, and investigates its implications for political and civil society in developing countries. Civil society is a normative ideal, a political concept, as well as a political/social reality and can be conceptualized in multiple ways. Operationalizing the concept for policy purpose is a normative process that privileges the associational view of civil society. This largely ignores the role of ‘non voluntary’ groups. In most developing countries ascriptive ties are an essential part of the fabric of society; ethnic, communal and religious groups are influential political and social actors. The paper highlights the historical and cultural specificity of the discourse of civil society. It argues for a more inclusive conceptualization of civil society, that acknowledges the importance of local forms of collective action.