• UGI USER
  • Jul 27, 2023
  • 18 Likes
  • 0 Comments

Q. The ‘globalization’ discourse has reinforced the role of civil society in the management of many socio-economic areas that hitherto belonged to the State. Comment.

Approach:

  • Briefly elaborate the concept of globalization.
  • Highlight how it has affected the functioning of the State.
  • Mention how globalization discourse has reinforced the role of civil society.
  • Enumerate how civil society plays a significant role in management of socio-economic areas. Conclude on the basis of above points.

Answer:

Globalization is the spread of goods, services, technology, ideas and processes across national  boundaries. It implies an intensification of the levels of interaction, interconnectedness or interdependence between the States and societies, which constitute the world community.

Globalization has affected the functioning of the State due to the impact of pressures generated  on it by global institutions, information technology and increasing concern for efficiency and  productivity. This has led to the transformation of the role of the State from managing to  facilitating socio-economic activities, thereby creating space for other stakeholders like the  private players, civil society etc.

Further, the globalization discourse introduced new concepts like the Paris Principles on human rights and the concept of ‘Good Governance’ highlighted by the World Bank in 1992 report  ‘Governance and Development’. Also the fact that markets are usually driven by profits while  state organizations being mired in inefficiency and unresponsiveness. Whereas, the civil society organizations work in a more participatory, flexible, less bureaucratic, cost- effective, accessible, and people-friendly manner.

The above developments enabled, empowered and reinforced the role of civil society to engage in  management of many socio-economic areas that hitherto belonged to the State. This can be  seen as:

  • It plays an important role in governance and policy advocacy. Issues of civil liberty and political representation of the marginalized have been taken up by them. For instance, the Right  to Information campaign began with the ‘Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan’ to bring in  transparency in village accounts via the demand for minimum wages in rural India.
  • It plays an important role in integrating excluded sections of society within the global economic chain by developing their income-generating skills and providing them with required  financial services and market linkages. For instance, The Self Employed Women’s Association(SEWA) has utilized various innovative structures, such as crafts and producers’ groups, Self help groups (SHGs) for economic empowerment of marginalized women.
  • It promotes and facilitates participative development projects thereby creating conditions for people’s empowerment and deepening of democracy. For example, the Association for  Democratic Reforms provides research support for political reforms and works towards  transparency in the electoral process. Similarly, the Kudumbashree in Kerala conducts social  audits for various government projects.
  • It is a reservoir of political, economic, cultural and moral resources to check and aid the processes of the State. For example, Akshaya Patra Foundation aids the State in the  implementation of the Mid-day meal scheme.
  • It aids the State in the rehabilitation process during disasters. For instance, in the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, NGOs such as Goonj, Zomato Feeding India etc. have played a critical role in  providing food, water and transportation facilities to the migrants.

A country rooted in strong civil society traditions would ensure that the prerequisites of good governance namely transparency, efficiency, accountability, participation and responsiveness are  adhered to. The diversity in civil society organizations ensure their dynamic and evolving role in  governance in different capacities. This is possible only if conditions for a mutually advantageous  existence of the State, market and civil society are nurtured and sustained in the present globalization context.