The quality of civil society in post-communist Eastern Germany
A case-study of voluntary associations in Leipzig
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6252628 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Christiane Olivo (University of Northern Colorado, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2011 |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 731-750 |
| Publication date | 2011-06-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Democratization (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1351-0347 • E-ISSN: 1743-890X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13510347.2011.563117 |
| OpenAlex | W2009225949 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 13 |
Quantitative data show the weakness of civil society in the post-communist countries of East-Central Europe by using such indicators as membership in voluntary associations. Building on this data, this research offers an in-depth case-study of voluntary associations in the Eastern German city of Leipzig in order to examine the quality of the existing civil society. Due to structures put in place by the local government to encourage citizen input in policy decisions and widespread democratic participation both before and after the fall of communism, Leipzig presents an interesting case-study in assessing the vibrancy of civil society, and thus democracy, in a post-communist city that appears to embrace ideals of citizen participation. The study, based on data from 23 qualitative interviews with members of citizen associations, local parliamentarians and city officials, explores three main issues that are found in the theoretical literature on associations and civil society: the development of civic competence; the creation of a public sphere; and the relationship between civil society and the state. The qualitative nature of this study offers a more nuanced assessment of civil society in Eastern Germany than the quantitative data allow. I conclude that there are clear deficits but also strengths in the development of civil society
Civil society · Communism · Democracy · Geography · German · Opposition (politics · Political science · Politics · Qualitative property · Sociology · State (computer science · Voluntary association · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Administration · Social Capital and Networks
Democracy in America
Four Toward a Deliberative Model of Democratic Legitimacy
The Weakness of Civil Society in Post-Communist Europe
Civil Society and Political Theory
Gemeinnützige Organisationen im gesellschaftlichen Wandel
Good’ and ‘bad’ democracies
Civil Society in Transition
Discourses of Citizenship in Transition
Civic Engagement in a Post‐Communist State
Between Facts and Norms
| Citations per year | 0.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2024 - 2024 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |