Sociologický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i.

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2005:05 Civil Society and Civic Participation in the Czech Republic

Petra Rakušanová

Based on differentiation between the terms civil society and the third sector the text defines the space of civic participation. The establishment of terminology and theoretical framework appears to be a key component, as the terms civil society and third (non-governmental) sector are often confound. Notwithstanding its long tradition the term, civil society is rather abstract and is today used mainly in theoretical and conceptual context. Whereas the term third sector is more practical and concrete, as it offers the possibility of factual definition, and is therefore used mainly in empirical research. The key factor for theoretical-empirical linkage of terms civic participation and civil society, is the fact that democratic political system is based on opportunity of citizens to participate and influence public affairs. The text further aims at conceptualization of research on civil society in Czech Republic. Consequently based on the determination of the role of nongovernmental organizations, description and analysis of the character of the non-governmental sector the text aims at definition of barriers of civic sectors and civic participation in the Czech Republic.

Key words

civil society, civic participation

Summary

The main objective of the text is to evaluate the development of civil society, non-profit sector and civic participation achieved so far in the Czech Republic. First of all, the text delineates the space for civic participation, provides a historical definition of the term civil society, and defines and conceptualizes civic participation in the Czech Republic based on this definition. Subsequently, based on the definition of the role of NGOs, the description and analysis of the non-profit sector, the text tries to define the barriers of the civil sector and civic participation in the Czech Republic within the context of Central Europe.
We may say that the non-profit sector in Central Europe bear some common characteristics: a relatively high degree of centralization and bureaucracy and its traditional demarcation against the state, frequently personalized through political parties. This situation is further strengthened in post-communist countries by experience related to opposition and dissent movements (civic participation as a historical form of the opposition against the state). Close links between the political sphere and non-profit sector, as is the case of Austria and the Czech Republic, are another common denominator of the non-profit sector in Central Europe. On the other hand, in Poland and Slovakia, the non-profit sector has tighter relations to the private sector.
In his relation to the non-profit sector, the post-communist citizen is rather passive and indifferent, which is the result of negative memories of forced organization and participation. However, the post-communist society does not represent a set of atomized individuals submitted to the state of anomy, rather, some people still believe that social networks, subjectively regarded as a part of the private sphere, are important and thus they may be considered as an alternative to the civil society. This trend is significantly strengthened by factors such as secularization and urbanization degree and has been supported by the findings of our research, which, comparing different regions of the Czech Republic, confirmed both the variability of individual Czech regions and the effect of the size of communities and regions on participation of people in the public life.
In the regions with a low degree of participation (Moravian-Silesian Region), people in difficult situations rely on the state and on their own activities - the traditional community (in the sense of Gemeinschaft) has mostly eroded and is increasingly taken over by a passive approach. This is confirmed not only by the data about the number of inhabitants per one NGO in these regions but also by empirical analyses. In such a region, the non-profit sector has a slower development; nevertheless it is still very important because it provides an alternative to ever-increasing passivity.
On the other hand, in the regions with a more developed network of NGOs (South Moravian Region) - in smaller communities supplemented by social networks - and in more individualized Prague where, apart from the non-profit sector, a more distinctive role is played by an individual’s own activity, people tend to rely on the state the least according to the respondents. In these settings, NGOs become a natural supplementation of traditional relations. Social networks continue to play a major role and the church and religious not-for-profit associations are important actors in the non-profit sector. The South Bohemian Region seems to be average in this respect - people rely both on the state and social networks.
A high degree of dependence on social networks indicate that there is a strict division line between the private and the public spheres, and may be specified as a grey zone heritage. The networks of friends are considered to be a part of the private sphere and are resistant to public mobilization. According to some authors, however, this activity is important for the legitimacy of democracy which also strengthens confidence in institutions and has a potential to increase participation in the public sphere.