PIA 2526 - NGOS CIVIL SOCIETY AND DEVELOPMENT

Minimum Credits: 3
Maximum Credits: 3
This course explores the range of non-state actors in developing/transition countries that are important to promoting socioeconomic and political change. We will examine the origins, evolution and multiple roles played by this diverse group of non-state actors, including business and professional associations, trade unions and political movements, policy advocacy groups and civic education/democracy-building organizations. Among the issues preoccupying practitioners and researchers, and this course, are: what factors influence the presence and vibrancy of civil society in different countries? How has the state ’ in various times and places — determined the context in which civil society organizations pursue their goals? With what strategies and with what success have civil society organizations been able to influence or change state policies? What autonomy and accountability issues arise in state-civil society relations, and how does the international donor community facilitate or complicate these relationships?In the process we will introduce specific tools from the social disciplines and development practice for working with civil society organizations, including assessing the strength of civil societies, measuring social capital, and assessing ‘partner’ organizations.
Academic Career: Graduate
Course Component: Lecture
Grade Component: Grad Letter Grade
Course Requirements: Graduate School of Public and International Affairs students only.

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