The politics of civic combinations

Laszlo Bruszt, Balazs Vedres

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract (may include machine translation)

In this article, we explore the ways in which partnerships with the state within state-led developmental programs might effect the autonomy of civic organizations (COs) and their readiness to enter in political action. To identify the relationship between collaboration with the state and civic autonomy we draw on data from a survey of 740 Hungarian regional civic associations. We did not find support for the theses that mixing with the state might undermine the autonomy of COs and lead to their political neutralization. Also, we did not find support for the hypotheses that political action is solely about money or it is the property of non-autonomous NGOs. We have identified several mechanisms that allow COs to combine participation in partnership projects with maintained autonomy and political activism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)140-160
Number of pages21
JournalVoluntas
Volume19
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2008

Keywords

  • Civic autonomy
  • Civic organizations
  • Civil society
  • Developmental partnerships
  • Hungary
  • Partnership projects
  • Political action

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