NGOs, Civil Society, and the Public Sphere

This book investigates how nongovernmental organizations can become stronger advocates for citizens and better representatives of their interests.

Sabine Lang (Author)

9781107024991, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 October 2012

288 pages, 13 b/w illus. 11 tables
23.1 x 15.5 x 2 cm, 0.56 kg

'An impressive critical study of NGOs that offers a novel solution to their growing separation from the public advocacy for which they were designed. Lang brings critical theoretical insight to bear on issues of democratic participation, using many different kinds of empirical evidence to argue her case. A masterful and original piece of scholarship by a critical thinker who spans the worlds of academia and policy in ways that, one hopes, can make a difference.' Joan W. Scott, Harold F. Linder Professor of Social Science, Institute for Advanced Study

Nongovernmental organizations act on behalf of citizens in politics and society. Yet many question their legitimacy and ask who they speak for. This book investigates how NGOs can become stronger advocates for citizens and better representatives of their interests. Sabine Lang analyzes the choices that NGOs face in their work for policy change between working in institutional settings and practicing public advocacy that incorporates constituents' voices. Whereas most books on NGOs focus on policy effectiveness, using approaches that treat accountability largely as a matter of internal performance measurements, Lang instead argues that it is ultimately several public accountabilities that inform NGO legitimacy. The case studies in this book use empirical research from the European Union, the United States and Germany to point to governments' role in redefining the conditions for NGOs' public advocacy.

1. David or Goliath? Situating NGOs in politics
2. Civil society as a public sphere
3. The NGOization of civil society
4. Limits to NGO advocacy in the public sphere
5. Urban development advocacy in the United States and Germany
6. Transnational women's NGO networks in the European Union
7. NGOs navigating inclusion in governance and public accountabilities
Appendix A. Interviews for Chapter 5
Appendix B. Interviews for Chapter 6
Appendix C. Website analysis for Chapter 6
Appendix D. Issue crawler figures for Chapter 6.

Subject Areas: Non-governmental organizations [NGOs JPWH], Comparative politics [JPB], Communication studies [GTC]