Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Changing Nature of African Politics: The Case of the CSO–Government Relationship in Malawi

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze critically the implications of Malawi’s changing nature of politics on civil society organizations (CSOs). The article seeks to clarify whether or not the social, political and economic engagement of civil society organizations has contributed to a strengthened relationship between Malawi’ government and its own development agenda, given the CSOs’ dependence on ‘Northern’ aid agencies and/or international NGOs. The article argues that while the change from dictatorial regimes to a multiparty political system has enhanced civil society participation in Malawi’s social, economic and political issues, the CSO–government relationship is still fraught with suspicion and mistrust.

Civil society organizations and participatory local governance in Pakistan: An exploratory study

“…The findings show a distrust among all the stakeholders. Makuwira () considers this relationship of CSOs–government full of “suspicion and tension.” In Gujranwala, Pakistan, CSOs were not successful in serving the interests of public in local government decision‐making. Apart from that, the trust of public on local government is shaken.…”

What does the Data Tell Us About Dominatarian Theory of Regional Integration?

“…The relationship between African organizations and civil society has been disharmonious. In Malawi, for example, even though the country transitioned from dictatorship to a multiparty system, the government-CSO relationship remains fraught (Makumira 2011). It seems that the Tocquevillian thesis that CSOs are likely to survive in fragmented societies (Spires 2011) does not apply to African states.…”

The Changing Role and Space of Civil Society in Tanzania’s Fluid Political Environment

“…Although many civil society organizations are working for a better Tanzanian society (Kwayu, 2016), their legitimacy is highly politicized, whereby some are discredited on grounds of working on hidden agenda (Makuwira, 2011). To address this, civil society continues to negotiate their space in order to sustain their critical voice and broad-based participation in support of democratization of the governance agenda.…”

“…The role of civil society in governance and development processes within any modern society cannot be over-emphasized, apparently due to its potential contributions. Indeed, civil society has been instrumental in various sectors and sub-sectors including governance and democratization processes (Fulton & Wood, 2018;Makuwira, 2011;Arthur, 2010), management of refugee crises (Meyer & Simsa, 2018), service provision (Brass, 2021;Clayton, et al, 2000), sanitation and solid waste management (Tukahirwa, et al, 2013), and many more. While the role and contribution of civil society are widely appreciated (Clayton, et al, 2010), the space they occupy in the course of aggregating their interests, organizing and implementing their programmes and activities has and continue to be constrained (Anheier, et al, 2019;Civicus, 2018;Rutzen, 2015;Carothers, 2014).…”