Measuring Civil Society: Perspectives on Afro-Centrism |
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Authors: | Alan Fowler |
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Institution: | (1) International Institute for Social Studies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | International comparative research on civil society has subordinated Africa’s diversity and specificities to other geographies
and histories. Results are prejudiced global conceptualisations, questionable enumeration, problematic theory formulation
and ill-conceived approaches to development initiatives intended to make African civil society ‘stronger’ and states more
democratic. This article sets out a case for an endogenous approach to civil society enquiry as a political category sensitive
to the continent’s particularisms. In order to locate discussion about meanings, measures and measuring, a conceptual framework
for research is described which avoids conflation with other epistemologies. Such a contribution will assist in sharpening
thinking and discussion about the boundary characteristics of what is to be investigated. |
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