Civil Society and Corruption: Changes and Challenges

Abstract

Scholars from different fields assigned civil society a crucial role in driving social, political, and economic changes (Ekiert 2019). Robust civil society can be considered a bulwark toward a wide variety of social and political disruptions. Its quality and strength constituted a fundamental precondition for a working democratic system. This panel aims to stimulate an interdisciplinary discussion on the role of civil society in relation to corruption. Traditionally, the “dynamism” of civil society has been central to hinder the spread of corruption. It has brought out corruption cases, criticizing corrupt officials and institutions. However, there are very frequent cases where civil society has not merely denounced and criticised corruption, but also made an effort to create an environment resistant to the phenomenon. For example, civil participation in decision-making processes can contribute to enhance transparency and fairness. It may propose new policies and legislations for better governance based on integrity and accountability. Nevertheless, civil society has changed profoundly in recent years. New organizational and business models are emerged, the citizens' approach to political and civic participation has changed and technology introduced different challenges and opportunities. We invite paper proposals that reflect on the changing tanking place in civil society and their consequences toward corruption. How have these changes influenced the role of civil society in the face of corruption? The assumption that countries with a developed civil society are less corrupt is still valid? What are the features that a civil society should have in order to curb corruption? Are there case studies able to show best practices in this regard? The discussion of actual examples is welcome but more theoretically oriented proposals dealing with different scientific approaches are accepted as well.

Title	Details
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Explaining Variation in Effectiveness of Anti-Corruption Activism in the Regions of Ukraine: The Role of Local Context, Political Will, Institutional and Structural Factors	View Paper Details
Factors Affecting the Corruption Risks at the Level of Local Government	View Paper Details
Fighting Electoral Corruption in the Post-Soviet States: Strategies and Role(s) of Observers Movements	View Paper Details