THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN SHAPING EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE DECISIONS DURING DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32689/2523-4625-2025-2(78)-17Keywords:
civil society, democratic transition, governance decisions, transparency, accountability, inclusivity, legitimacy, reforms, government oversight, interest representation, citizen mobilization, non-governmental organizations, volunteer initiatives, digital technologies, conflict context, legal guarantees, funding, institutional capacity, hybrid regimesAbstract
The article examines the role of civil society in shaping effective governance decisions during democratic transition–a complex process of moving from authoritarian or hybrid regimes to democratic institutions characterized by the rule of law and freedom of speech. Civil society, encompassing non-governmental organizations, activists, independent media, and volunteer initiatives, plays a pivotal role as a mediator between the state and society, ensuring transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in political processes. During periods of transformation, when state institutions are weak and public trust in authorities is low, civil society acts as a catalyst for reforms, articulating societal needs and overseeing the implementation of governance decisions. Based on an analysis of theoretical concepts, four key functions of civil society are identified: monitoring government activities to prevent corruption, representing the interests of marginalized groups to ensure inclusivity, mobilizing citizens to support democratic processes, and providing expert recommendations to compensate for institutional weaknesses.A model is proposed that systematizes these functions, the context of democratic transition, challenges (repressive measures, societal fragmentation, limited resources, and the legacy of an authoritarian past), and outcomes evaluated through the transparency, inclusivity, and legitimacy of governance decisions. To strengthen the role of civil society, legal guarantees for freedom of activity, transparent funding through international grants, capacity-building through activist training and collaborative networks, and youth engagement to ensure the sustainability of reforms are essential. The conclusions emphasize that civil society is an indispensable driver of democratic transformations. However, the lack of comprehensive studies on local contexts, the impact of hybrid regimes where democratic and authoritarian practices coexist, economic transformations, and the role of digital technologies in shaping new forms of civic participation highlights promising directions for further analysis.
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