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This issue is an important one as we can analyse and understand from different viewpoints of a theoretical researcher on the CSO and governance relationship and interaction and the practices of CSOs on the ground on development work. The CSO and democratic governance nexus has been subject to much empirical and quasi-empirical research in the past, especially in the last two decades, when CSOs emerged into being powerful institutions in democracies to influence and to some extent control the state's political thinking. In most cases, this obvious relationship is supposed to yield good results, giving the societies better dividends of good governance - and literature will tell you that there have been ample examples of NGO activism has resulted into curbing corruption, increasing accountability in the states. The other side of this rosy picture is often neglected, or less reported. But recent trends of this has been a disturbing phenomenon. Since CSOs, more particularly NGOs are now virtually representing all walks of civil lives in our society, there are instances of conflicts of interests, even though all of the CSOs are subscribed to the basic principles of human rights and freedom of speech. The problem is not perhaps with the laws or regulation that govern this third sector entity - the problems perhaps lies somewhere - in ethics, management and a broad understanding of development policy. In recent years, we have seen that trade unions, which are part of civil society have been instrumental in securing unethical trade practises or demanding for so - a righteous government might want to impose a ban on whaling, but there might be chances of political pressure for the lobby groups to turn around completely that piece of legislation. Simply speaking, sometimes, CSO groupings are dealing with so small and marginal issues that there are ample chances that they are advocating for a wrong cause, leading the long term goals of achieving sustainable development goals in jeopardy. This situation does not add up to the notion of accountability. While practicing development work, CSOs are often driven by the interests of donors or national government. Even a decade ago, the situation was somewhat different, as NGOs were evolved to on a wide variety of developmental issues that were not necessarily part of the mainstream development programmes. By overlooking small issues and stakeholders on the other hand, NGOs tend to loose their distinct identity as an entity in itself. If NGOs choose to become a mere service delivery agents of their national governments or donor agencies, then the process and question of transparency and accountability would largely depend on the funding agencies. Atanu Garai Fmayraj@cs.com Research Fellow Voice to the Voiceless Trust New Delhi India. |
