Abstract
The paper presents a comparative analysis of the recent developments in the civil societies in six Central and East European
(CEE) countries: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Focusing on the level of civil society
organizations (CSO), it first discusses the changes in their role as social actors and co-operation within the civic sector
itself. Second, it examines the process of civic–public sector partnership consolidation, and third, some of the more recent
challenges that the civic initiatives in these countries are facing. It aims to highlight the diversity of patterns of civil
society development in the region and argues for a reassessment of its ‘weakness’ thesis.
(CEE) countries: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Focusing on the level of civil society
organizations (CSO), it first discusses the changes in their role as social actors and co-operation within the civic sector
itself. Second, it examines the process of civic–public sector partnership consolidation, and third, some of the more recent
challenges that the civic initiatives in these countries are facing. It aims to highlight the diversity of patterns of civil
society development in the region and argues for a reassessment of its ‘weakness’ thesis.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-18
- DOI 10.1007/s11266-012-9305-x
- Authors
- Erle Rikmann, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
- Liisi Keedus, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
- Journal Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations
- Online ISSN 1573-7888
- Print ISSN 0957-8765