CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2011
| Author | Kovacic, Marko |
|---|---|
| Title | An Assessment of the Role of Civil Society in the Democratic Consolidation: A Comparative Analysis of Croatia and Serbia |
| Summary | This paper analyses the impact of civil society on the final stage of democratization process – consolidation, using qualitative methodological tools. I start from the theoretical explanation of the concept of democratization and elaborate its specificities in the two countries of the Western Balkans – Croatia and Serbia. By introducing the concept of civil society, I am showing that not only formal governmental institutions play an important role in the consolidation process, but that organized citizens also play a crucial role in consolidation. I use the concept of political opportunity structure which I am applying to the political change in Croatia and Serbia. The theoretical overview of the debates of consolidation and civil society will be supported by two cases where civil society has been crucial, Croatia and Serbia. This thesis will demonstrate how organized attempts of citizens can change political regimes and introduce democracy as “the only game in town”. I argue that civil society due to its functions was the most efficient factor for making democratic consolidation possible. |
| Supervisor | Pelinka, Anton |
| Department | Political Science MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2011/kovacic_marko.pdf |
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