The Elusive Promise of NGOs in Africa: Lessons from Uganda

by S. Dicklitch

Overview

Dicklitch challenges the dominant discourse of neo-liberalism which places NGOs and civil society at the forefront of democratization and development in Africa. Based on nine months of field research in Uganda, the study draws on evidence from the 'successfully' liberalizing country and shows how NGO potential for democratization and development has been subverted by state directives, structural and historical conditions, as well as the internal limitations of NGOs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333710715
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	07/13/1998
Series:	International Political Economy Series , #13996
Edition description:	1998
Pages:	294
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

SUSAN DICKLITCH is Assistant Professor at Franklin and Marshall College. She was previously Research Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina (1994-97). She has a PhD from the University of Toronto (1995). She was Assistant Editor of the African Studies Review (1994-97).

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Maps List of Maps Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations NGOs, Civil Society and Democracy Structural Bottlenecks to Democracy Democratization from Above? State-Civil Society Relations NGOs: Harbingers of Democratization? Whither NGOs and Democratization? Appendix 1: Indigenous Registered NGOs in Uganda (1986-1993) Appendix 2: Foreign Registered NGOs in Uganda (1986-1993) Endnotes References Index

Editorial Reviews

'A lucid and well-researched critique of the popular notion that NGOs, as constituent elements of a revitalized ‘civil society', represent a potent force for empowerment and democracy in Africa. Susan Dicktlich succumbs neither to a romanticization of civil society not to despair in their incisive evaluation.' - Professor Richard Sandbrook

From the Publisher

Challenges the dominant neo-liberal discourse on democratization and development in Africa that views NGOs and civil society as the panacea for underdevelopment and authoritarianism. Argues that the potential of NGOs and civil society is severely constrained not only by structural and historical impediments and internal NGO limitations but also by the development paradigm of neo-liberalism. A case study of Uganda offers evidence to discount the automatic association often made between liberalization and democratization. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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