Roles are also changing: civil society actors are demonstrating their value as facilitators, conveners and innovators as well as service providers and advocates.
The primary task of civil society is to work as a watchdog on the functioning of the State. Civil society has to be up in arms if the State violates the liberty of the citizens and imposes unlawful restrictions on individual autonomy. E.g. Amnesty International., Human rights Watch etc.
The primary task of civil society is to work as a watchdog on the functioning of the State. Civil society has to be up in arms if the State violates the liberty of the citizens and imposes unlawful restrictions on individual autonomy. E.g. Amnesty International., Human rights Watch etc.
Helps in policy Formulation-
Concurrently, social activists and NGOs monitor and evaluate government policies from their inception to implementation. In the process, they mediate between the State and various sections of society.
Grievance addressing agent -
From time to time, it critically deliberates on various issues affecting the marginalized people, and articulates alternative policies and proposals for the empowerment of the have-nots.
- Civil society’s engagement in the political sphere is to negotiate and influence the State, dominant classes and society at large to pursue the common good from the perspective of the poor and exploited.
- Capturing the State is not its agenda. That is left to the political parties. In that sense, civil society is engaged in a non-party political process which is ongoing, irrespective of the party in power. Its function is to enlarge and strengthen democratic values and institutions.
- When mobilized, civil society - sometimes called the “third sector” (after government and commerce) - has the power to influence the actions of elected policy-makers and businesses.
- Ensuring Environmental protection, fight against Global warming and sustainable growth.
- Its approach towards the sociopolitical power relationship is somewhat radical (broadly Gandhian/socialist/ Ambedkarist/feminist), and it strives for changing the power relationship in society.(Radical civil society (RCS) or peripheral civil society. )
As a paper published in the name of “The Future Role of Civil Society” Civil society roles include:
Watchdog:
holding institutions to account, promoting transparency and accountability
Advocate:
raising awareness of societal issues and challenges and advocating for change
Service provider:
delivering services to meet societal needs such as education, health, food and security; implementing disaster management, preparedness and emergency response
Expert:
bringing unique knowledge and experience to shape policy and strategy, and identifying and building solutions
Capacity builder:
providing education, training and other capacity building
Incubator:
developing solutions that may require a long gestation or payback period
Representative:
giving power to the voice of the marginalized or under represented
Citizenship champion:
encouraging citizen engagement and supporting the rights of citizens − Solidarity supporter: promoting fundamental and universal values − Definer of standards: creating norms that shape market and state activity