Can a strong and dense civil society facilitate the sustainability of democracy? This article, published in the International Political Science Review, examines the effect of the pre-transitional strength and post-transitional density of civil society on institutional performance among 65 states since the third wave of democratisation. A strong civil society deepens the freedoms gained by citizens post-transition, lessens state corruption, promotes the rule of law and establishes greater governmental effectiveness.
The link between strong civic associationalism and institutional performance has proven to be contentious. Numerous studies have argued that civil society plays a positive role by facilitating a democratic political culture based on social networks that promote integration, tolerance and shared values. States with strong civil societies are more likely to experience effective governance and demands for state accountability. However, these theories have been criticised on the grounds of cultural determinism and for promoting erroneous causal chains. It has also been argued that a strong civil society can promote regime instability, weaken constitutionalism and, in the absence of a strong state, facilitate social discord.
In theory, civil society is a primary prerequisite for better institutional performance and accountability. An empirical analysis of transitional states tests the applicability of this theory in contemporary democratisation processes. The results reveal that:
- a strong civil society before and after transition is positively correlated with deepened political freedoms and civil liberties
- the pre-transitional strength and post-transitional density of civil society have a positive and significant influence on voice and accountability
- states with strong and dense civil societies are more likely to have polities that promote and defend human rights and allow for free political expression
- strong pre- and post-transitional civil society associationalism increases levels of political stability and reduces the likelihood of military coups
- strong civil societies can promote increased quality of public service provision, improve civil service competence and independence from political pressure, prohibit excessive regulation of private enterprises and support good governance
- both pre- and post-transitional civil society strength have a positive effect on the entrenchment of the rule of law and corruption controls. Post-transitional strength, reflected in NGO organisational and membership density, has a greater impact in promoting transparent, effective and accountable institutions.
The major theoretical implication of the study is that NGO organisational and membership density can facilitate better institutional performance:
- States with dense and diffuse NGOs are better geared to counterbalance and decentralise state power and make effective demands on the polity as a whole.
- Dense NGO networks facilitate increased levels of inter-ethnic and inter-religious contact that can promote tolerance and dilute potential intra-group nationalism in transitional states.
- Highly dense NGO presence contributes to effective and meaningful social collaboration. This lessens ideological polarisation and social conflict, and forms a firm foundation on which to hold state authorities accountable and improve institutional performance.
- States with high NGO density are more likely to attract international organisations and networks that can support NGO capacity to effectively monitor the state.
