Civil Societies North-South Relations: NGOs and Dependency

Abstract

From Introduction: "In this paper we argue that civil societys most vocal expression in developing countries, independent NGOS, although sharing some common elements with their counter parts in advanced countries are dependent NGOs. The concept of dependency was elaborated mainly by Latin American social scientists to characterize as developing countries those whose economic structures lack the capability to produce locally technological innovation. By extension we define dependent civil society organizations as those whose main source of financing and political-social agendas come from advanced countries. This, as we shall see, does not mean that it is impossible to increase their space of autonomy and creativity. In fact, quite to the contrary, the practical aim of this paper is to contribute toward renewal and to increase the political role of civil societies in developing countries both in national and global affairs."