Bringing Civility Back In - Reflections on Global Civil Society

In: Development dialogue, Heft 49, S. 41-49

Abstract

Contends that the debate about global civil society has focused on the conceptual while ignoring empirical findings. Key findings presented in the previous six editions of the Global Civil Society yearbook are summarized to point out improvements & shortcomings in current understandings of global civil society. Key characteristics of global civil society since the 1970s include a shift from material security to democracy & cosmopolitan values; a broad-based mobilization in social movements; a changed geopolitical environment; the emergence of social forums & other transnational networks; & the resurgence of religion. Weaknesses include the neglect of civility & failure to consider other civil society traditions or address the relationship between global civil society, conflict, & violence. Civility, a learned behavior, helps social cooperation, links different groups, & builds social capital through successful encounters across national, cultural, political, economic, & linguistic borders. It is concluded that adding civility to the definition of global civil society that focuses on the "what" makes it possible to also address the "how" & "why.". References. J. Lindroth