DVA3703
Portfolio
Examination
2021/2022
Answered questions are:
Question 1
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Question 1
1. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………..
2. The role of civil society participation in development policy making………�...
, Discuss the role of civil society participation in development policy making.
Give examples to support your answer.
1. INTRODUCTION
The civil society has been involved in policy making for years and their involvement
has been a productive one. Here we will firstly outline what a civil society, and that
what it stands for. Furthermore, we will look at civil society organisations, their role in
public participation and their role in finding alternative ideas for policy making. The
civil society looks for the benefit of the community and not what will benefit the policy
makers.
2. THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT
POLICY MAKING
Firstly we need to explain what civil society is, according to my understanding it is
when a group or organisation works in the interest of the community without any
profit and it is not controlled by the government, examples of civil society
organisations are trade unions, church organisations, Non-governmental
organisations, gender advocacy organisations etc. Du Plessis & Kotze (2016:68)
describe the civil society as “particular political space in which voluntary associations
operate to shape the rules that govern their daily lives” furthermore Mukamunana &
Brynard (2005:667) describe civil society, in a democratic government, as a “channel
through which citizens participate in making and implementing public decisions; in
identifying, prioritising and resolving public problems, and in allocating and managing
public resources”. Public participation in policymaking can be enhanced through the
decentralisation of state power and the strengthening of civil society.
Decentralisation means the distribution of power to lower levels and that power will
not only be concentrated centrally.
The focus of the civil society is to promote specific interests, they should act as the
positive connection among citizens, government, and non-governmental actors.
They understand the citizens needs and demands and they advocate for that. Their
role is to build political and economic democracy. CSOs "are imperative as a space
for the building of identity in a world where citizens feel that they have little control
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