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From Exclusion to Co-Optation: Political Opportunity Structures and Civil Society Responses in De-Democratising Hungary
[journal article]
Abstract While it is well-known that democratic backsliding imposes a variety of challenges on civil society organisations, it is often assumed that it represses civil society. However, a closer look at the impact of democratic backsliding on civil society organisations reveals that even in countries where d... view more
While it is well-known that democratic backsliding imposes a variety of challenges on civil society organisations, it is often assumed that it represses civil society. However, a closer look at the impact of democratic backsliding on civil society organisations reveals that even in countries where democratic backsliding is fairly advanced, the relationship between civil society and the state is more complex. Close cooperation and partnership between civil society organisations and the state are scarce in backsliding countries; the relationship between civil society organisations and the state might, however, range from hostility to varying forms and degrees of co-optation. Based on interviews with representatives of civil society organisations and the examination of the sector-specific social and political environment, we aim to explore the forms and factors that shape the relationship between civil society organisations and the state in Hungary. More specifically, we analyse the impact of the changing political opportunity structures on three important sectors of civil society organisations: human rights organisations, environmental organisations, and women’s organisations. We argue that, to seize control over civil society the government applies sector-specific strategies, ranging from exclusion to co-optation. State strategies, in turn, spark different responses from civil society organisations.... view less
Keywords
Hungary; environmental policy; human rights; civil society; national state; organizations; women's organization; environmental protection organization; authoritarian system
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
gender; hybrid regimes; political opportunity structure
Document language
English
Publication Year
2023
Page/Pages
p. 16-27
Journal
Politics and Governance, 11 (2023) 1
Issue topic
Democratic Backsliding and Organized Interests in Central and Eastern Europe
ISSN
2183-2463
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed