Civil Society in Greece: Traditionally Weak, Abruptly Powerful ?

Asteris HuliarasProfessor

Department of Political Science and International Relations

University of Peloponnese

A strong civil society is positively correlated to

• Performance of democratic institutions

• Institutional development• Economic activity and

growth• Social networks of civil

engagement• Collective prosperity

http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/almanac

Two ‘types’ of civil society• PositiveWidespread reciprocalsocial and economic relationships.Characterized by‘bridging’ or

‘generalised’social capital acrossgroups andcommunities.

• NegativeTrust only the immediatekin, neighbours and community members.Characterized by‘bonding’ or

‘particularized’social capitalwithin the same group orcommunity.

Greek Civil Societyis generally considered ‘weak’• Various empirical

studies have shown that the levels of interpersonal trust and trust in institutions are in general much lower in Greece than in other west European countries.

• Also nationalist sentiments and negative sentiments towards other national or ethnic groups tend to be relatively to other countries high.

Active Citizenship Indicator (Based on the European Social Survey)

Why Greek civil society is weak ?

• Lower level of economic development

• Christian Orthodox culture

• Historical development (irregular process of political integration)

• Vertical clientelistic networks

• Opportunistic political culture

• Density of family ties

• Highly interventionist state

• Dominance of political parties

• Lack of civic education• Highly individualistic

social norms• Highly materialist

attitudes• Efficiency of the state• Level of corruption

December 2008 riots• A 15-year old student was fatally

shot by a police officer. Protest activity by the youth later led into widespread civil unrest. They were probably the worst riots modern Greece has seen. Solidarity clashes followed in many European cities.

No obvious message • Damage estimated 130 mn $• French riots of 2005• Budapest clashes 2006• A new era of networked protests (photos and videos were posted online almost in real time)

Explanations:• Frustration with democratic politics (especially

corruption)• Increase in extra-institutional forms of political

participation facilitated by the internet and mobile phones

• Very high unemployment rates among the youth (21%)

• Lack of other avenues of civic participation• ‘Tradition’ of street politics (memetism)• Vendetta police• Rise of post-materialist values

Can the economic crisis strengthen social capital / civil society ?

Yes• Make citizens question

the ‘wisdom’ of the governing elites. Promotes political participation. Encourages new forms of solidarity and civic participation. Undermines traditional norms and values that hinder co-operation.

No• Strengthens only

‘negative’ social capital: family ties. Increases anti-migrant sentiments. Promotes individualist strategies. Undermines the ability of NGOs to raise funds.

New social cleavages

• Clientelism has declined as the main tool of political legitimization

• Nationalism(s) is/are on the rise

• The Right/Left cleavage is losing its importance

• A generation cleavage is becoming more salient

• Vertical hierarchies are being replaced by horizontal networks