Nowadays, many people warn of the “erosion“ of civil society that can be connected to fraying communities, widespread apathy, unprecedented levels of contempt for politics, or with the absence of clear and transparent public goals, admired leaders or compelling issues.
The breakdown or degradation of civil society can start with latent changes in legislation. The efforts to restrain access to information, people´s participation in different policies, freedom of speech, aswell as increasing the dependency on the judiciary, limiting the funding for the non-profit sector and many other steps can indirectly or even directly lead to the decline of both, the third sector and civil society.
Exercise
Which of the following statements are true?
An engaged citizen, in order to contribute to the development of a civil society, can:
Go to vote and watchdog political parties
Correct answer: True
Fight against the legislative changes, which undermine democracy, civil society and civil rights
Correct answer: True
Run at the annual national run around city bridges together with some NGO representatives and thousands of other people
Correct answer: False
Promote transparency and open governance
Correct answer: True
Be active and responsible for the development of his/her surroundings, town where he/she lives, school which his/her children attend
Correct answer: True
Admire his/her political representatives and express loyalty to them
Correct answer: False
Associate with others to achieve common goals that contribute to a better society
Correct answer: True
Be aware of the political situation in the state and search for objective information on the candidates in elections
Correct answer: True
Develop a culture of philanthropy, donorship and activism as the opposite of conformism and apathy
Correct answer: True
Vote for social democracy
Correct answer: False
Visit public discussion on the new building in his/her surrounding
