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Our activists views on civic reform

June 26, 2013

What role does civic reform play in a democracy? Is civic reform - and ultimately- democracy possible without revolutions and uprisings?

https://p.dw.com/p/18jWf

Egyptian opposition politician Amr Badr

Amr Badr, Ägypten
Image: DW

Civil society is responsible for limiting and controlling the power of the state; in transitional states, such as Egypt, civil society’s responsibility is also to help in the building process to reach democracy.

Ukrainian activist Tetiana Chornovol

Tetiana Chornovol, Ukraine
Image: DW

Calling oneself a democracy and actually being one are two different things. A democracy is only possible when the rulers use the power that comes from the civil society. I think the nature of the state is naturally repressive and only compatible with democratic values when there is also an alert civil society in place. Ukraine is an extreme example of the role of a civil society under a weak democracy. In 2010 Yanukovych won the presidential elections and plunged the country into disaster. In the past years he has totally monopolized state power, and the country’s civil society faces a huge challenge if it is to undo this monopolization.

Greek lawyer Lila Bellou

Lila Bellou, Griechenland
Image: DW

'Civil Society' without full democratic rights for all and accountability of the officials of the state apparatus cannot be accepted and does not exist. The prerequisite of 'civil society' are citizens that are well informed about both their obligations and rights. 'Civil society’ is formed by the citizens, not consumers.

US environment activist Quentin James

Quentin James, USA
Image: DW

Civil society plays a critical role in maintaining a democracy, as well as making it better. In the American story, outside groups like the NAACP ensured that all of the rights guaranteed under the US Constitution were extended to all Americans. While many wouldn’t agree with the concept, it has worked very well throughout the past.　Jean-Jacques Rousseau would say,"in order to accomplish more and remove himself from the state of nature, man must enter into a Social Contract with others. In this social contract, everyone will be free because they all forfeit the same amount of rights and impose the same duties on all. "Co-determiniation, in my opinion, is an extention of the social contract and requires us all to take stake in our democracies.