In a Jam
Russian Civil Society
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
An empirical study in six Russian cities shows that the question whether an active civil society exists is anachronistic. It exists and is slowly growing. Non-governmental organisations and initiatives are engaged in many areas. But in everyday life, they run up against numerous problems. Financing is precarious, cooperation with state agencies threatens their autonomy, and repression is always present. But the civil sector has also failed so far to develop a strategy to embrace the interests of social groups “from below”, articulate them, and transform them into a durable stable social movement or even stable organisations.
(Osteuropa 10/2011, pp. 47–60)