This chapter examines the role of domestic civil society, that is, the set of voluntary organizations and groups not created by the state, in the transition from conflict to peace and democratic consolidation. It is structured in two main sections. First, it provides a brief analysis of the 182 //FS2/CUP/3-PAGINATION/JSF/2-PROOFS/3B2/9780521885669C07.3D 183 [182–210]27.10.200710:58PM Civil society in war-to-democracy transitions 183 state of civil society in war-torn countries. As in Serbia, different groups and organizations coexist within the civil society realm. First, even the most deeply divided societies maintain multiethnic and civic constituencies. There exist associations and groups which recognize the importance of respecting human rights and promoting compromise, dialogue, and economic and social integration. These groups strive to promote civic politics instead of ethnic politics, and social and political spaces of dialogue instead of ethnic or national segregation. Not only do they provide a space to articulate citizens’ participation in public life, but also they can constrain the arbitrary exercise of state power. Supporters of the importance of civil society in war-to-democracy transitions implicitly or explicitly endorse these kinds of associations and groups. Second, people organize not only around democratic and liberal values, but also around values that can be seen as ‘‘uncivil.’’ Many civil society groups and organizations justify and engage in violent and/or illegal actions. Mafia-like groups and paramilitaries often thrive in the context of a national, ethnic, or religious divide and in the absence of a functioning state guaranteeing the framework for peaceful, non-violent coexistence. Third, between civil and uncivil groups there exists a wide spectrum of organizations divided along ethnic, religious, and national lines. Civil society in conflict areas is as polarized as political society. Many groups and associations organize around sectarian and particularistic identities. Although most of these groups and associations may openly reject violence, they often endorse and promote a worldview that considers groups’ relations in zero-sum terms and resist compromise and cooperation. Their very existence perpetuates the divisions within society and can contribute to political polarization and continuing confrontation between groups.
Belloni, R. (2008). Civil Society in War-to-Democracy Transitions. CAMBRIDGE : Cambridge University Press.
Civil Society in War-to-Democracy Transitions
Belloni, Roberto
2008
Abstract
This chapter examines the role of domestic civil society, that is, the set of voluntary organizations and groups not created by the state, in the transition from conflict to peace and democratic consolidation. It is structured in two main sections. First, it provides a brief analysis of the 182 //FS2/CUP/3-PAGINATION/JSF/2-PROOFS/3B2/9780521885669C07.3D 183 [182–210]27.10.200710:58PM Civil society in war-to-democracy transitions 183 state of civil society in war-torn countries. As in Serbia, different groups and organizations coexist within the civil society realm. First, even the most deeply divided societies maintain multiethnic and civic constituencies. There exist associations and groups which recognize the importance of respecting human rights and promoting compromise, dialogue, and economic and social integration. These groups strive to promote civic politics instead of ethnic politics, and social and political spaces of dialogue instead of ethnic or national segregation. Not only do they provide a space to articulate citizens’ participation in public life, but also they can constrain the arbitrary exercise of state power. Supporters of the importance of civil society in war-to-democracy transitions implicitly or explicitly endorse these kinds of associations and groups. Second, people organize not only around democratic and liberal values, but also around values that can be seen as ‘‘uncivil.’’ Many civil society groups and organizations justify and engage in violent and/or illegal actions. Mafia-like groups and paramilitaries often thrive in the context of a national, ethnic, or religious divide and in the absence of a functioning state guaranteeing the framework for peaceful, non-violent coexistence. Third, between civil and uncivil groups there exists a wide spectrum of organizations divided along ethnic, religious, and national lines. Civil society in conflict areas is as polarized as political society. Many groups and associations organize around sectarian and particularistic identities. Although most of these groups and associations may openly reject violence, they often endorse and promote a worldview that considers groups’ relations in zero-sum terms and resist compromise and cooperation. Their very existence perpetuates the divisions within society and can contribute to political polarization and continuing confrontation between groups.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
