Analyse the role of civil society organisations

(CSOs) in the age of globalization. Hint

(definition of CSOs, types, functions, effects
and challenges- back with evidence)
Presented By:
Justine G. Tuolong (ID: PG0010321)
COURSE: GLOBAL ECONOMY AND GOVERNANCE

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Presentation Outline

• Definition of CSOs,
• Understanding CSOs in terms of types and functions
• The Effects of CSOs in the age of Globalization
• The challenges of CSOs in the age of Globalization
• Conclusion and Recommendation

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 Understanding Civil Society Organization’s in the age of
Globalization
Globalization has evolved by means of how states ‘control power and authority’ (…);
dominant influence – (pessimist view)…
to much less influence – (globalist view) over policy directions…
and now modern society where it been shaped by it own recurrent phenomena – (transformationalist view).

In the age of globalization modern civil society organization’s – CSOs became predominant in 1980’s (DFID, 2018)…
but to Walker and Thompson (2008) have existed in the century dated back to 1780’s as social movements for the
citizenry...

Defining the concept civil society is complex…but the World Economic Forum, put it as a space outside the family,
market and state actions (WEF, 2013).

In other context, civil society is the voluntary expression of the interests and aspirations of citizens organised and
united by common interests, goals, values or traditions and mobilised into collective action (AfDB, 2012, p. 10).

Narrowing down CSOs is broad…and could simply be referred to as non-state actors; individuals, groups,
community, or organization either local or international…(Hutter & O’Mahony, 2004).
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 CSOs Types in the age of Globalization

Distinguishing between CSOs types is complex (Greer et al., 2017);

• structured requirements;
• purpose of existence,
• size,
• geographical operations and sanctions…limited to NGOs, faith-base and community-
based organizations of formal setting

However, in recent times, CSOs have grown to encompass wide range of

diverse ecosystem (DFID, 2018).;
• formal,
• organized and unorganized,
• informal individuals, groups that together champion a particular agenda either locally
or across borders
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 Examples of CSOs Typologies (WEF, 2013, p. 7; AfDB, 2012, p.
10):
1. NGOs, and non-profit organisations that have an organised structure or activity, and are typically registered
entities and groups
2. Online groups and activities including social media communities that can be “organised” but do not
necessarily have physical, legal or financial structures
3. Social movements of collective action and/or identity, which can be online or physical
4. Religious leaders, faith communities, and faith-based organisations
5. Labour unions and labour organisations representing workers
6. Social entrepreneurs employing innovative and/or market-oriented approaches for social and environmental
outcomes
7. Grassroots associations and activities at local level
8. Cooperatives owned and democratically controlled by their members
9. Youth clubs
10. Independent radio, television, print and electronic media
11. Neighbourhood or community-based coalitions
12. Academic and research institutions
13. Organisations of indigenous peoples
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 Functions of CSOs in the Global Age
In the discourse of globalization, CSOs play key role in pushing the agenda of countries
interconnectivity.

The functions of CSOs is as diverse as it types. However, Greer et al. (2007) put CSOs function into
basically three:

• Function of policy direction…engagement in decision-making, public policy implementation and watchdogs (e.g.
IMANI Africa, CDD Ghana, ACEP, etc.)

• Function of service provision…providing something directly for its members and public (eg. Labour unions, online
groups, faith and community base organizations, local and international NGOs, etc)

• Function of governance…in technical standard-setting; in professional and other self-regulation; and in corporatist
arrangements for governing the economy (e.g. academic think tanks, professional unions and or organizations).

NOTE: Many CSOs, do two or three of these, locally or across borders to bring changes
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 Positive Effects of CSOs in the Age of Globalization (1/2)

STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS:

• Institutionalizing public participation in local development – Ghana, South Africa
• Strengthening women’s political representation through networking and lobbying – Ghana, Palestine
• The role of the media in building the capacity of rights-holders to participate in local and national
decision-making – Ghana, Philippines
• Strengthening human rights and managing conflict through a participatory, inclusive and transparent
constitution-making process – Ghana, Albania
• A governance system responsive to the needs of the HIV/AIDS- affected population – Brazil
• Promoting the political participation of indigenous groups and managing conflict – Ghana, Norway
IMPROVING SERVICE DELIVERY:
• Education services adapted to the needs of the rural poor – Ghana, Uganda
• Strengthening institutional capacities to improve family protection services – Ghana, Jordan
• Equitable access to social services through a transparent budget process – Ghana, Ecuador
• Improving access to health services through intercultural mediation – Ghana, Romania
• Social entitlements to promote social inclusion – Ghana, France
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Positive Effects of CSOs in the Age of Globalization (2/2)

THE RULE OF LAW:

• Implementing civil rights in the prison system through capacity development and empowerment
– Ghana, Malawi
• Legal and policy reform for the protection of the rights of migrant workers – Republic of Korea
• Implementing the right to effective remedy and redress for the victims of torture – Chile
• A bill of rights to strengthen human rights in legislation and policy – Ghana, Australia
COMBATING CORRUPTION:
• Government response to corruption: institutional development and political leadership – Ghana,
Botswana
• Empowering the public against corruption by publishing administrative procedures and fees –
Ghana, Lebanon
• Transparency in public expenditures through participatory social auditing – Ghana, India
• Combating bribery in the public health sector – Poland
• Municipal reform to combat corruption and improve the delivery of services – Ghana, Bolivia
• Addressing the supply side of corruption: curbing bribery by companies supported by export
credit agencies – OECD
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Negative Effects of CSOs in the Age of Globalization

• Exploitation by founders of CSOs to self benefits rather than members

or public….

• Serve as propaganda agents against governments…(e.g. In 2012 –

2016 IMANI Africa and CDD Ghana were used against government of
the day).

• Ag9ents of detraditionalizing strong cultures across the World

especially low-and middle-income countries…

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 Challenges of CSOs in the Age of Globalization

Funding Gaps in implementing projects/service delivery…,

Conflict of interest arising among CSOs, government and donors…,

Duplication of projects by CSOs…,

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 Conclusion and Recommendation
Globalization has significant effect on the growth of civil society organizations (Ijeoma
& Ike, 2019) …

As CSOs have contributed significantly in countries interconnectivity regards policy,

service delivery and governance…referred to as the third state of force (Hutter &
O’Mahony, 2004)…it in return affect countries negatively…

Of the challenges that affect growth of CSOs…; funding, conflict of interest arising,
duplication of projects, among others.

Recommendation:
collective collaborations of CSOs…linking projects of commonness for better outcomes.
Government should try to regulate CSOs operations to reduce exploitations, among others.
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 References
• Greer SL, Kosinska M, Wismar M. (2017) What civil society does in and for health: a framework. In: Greer SL,
Wismar M, Pastorino G, et al., editors. Civil society and health: Contributions and potential. Copenhagen
(Denmark): European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies;. (Observatory Studies Series, No. 48.)
Chapter 2. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459034/
• World Economic Forum (2013). The Future Role of Civil Society. World Economic Forum in collaboration with
KPMG International. Retrieved from
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_FutureRoleCivilSociety_Report_2013.pdf
• Ijeoma, M. M., & Ike, R. (2019). Effect of Globalization on the Development of Civil Society Organization in
Nigeria. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, 8(1), 1–16.
• Hutter, M.B., and O’Mahony, J. (2004) The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Regulation Business. Discussion
Paper No. 26. The London School of Economics and Political Science.
• Walker, J. W. G. and Thompson, A. S. (2008) Critical mass : the emergence of global civil society. The Centre for
International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and Wilfrid Laurier University Press.
• African Development Bank. (2012). Framework for Enhanced Engagement with Civil Society Organisations.
Abidjan: African Development Bank.
• Cooper, R. (2018) What is Civil Society, its role and value in 2018? Helpdesk report. The UK Department for
International Development.
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