Research framework and broader academic knowledge base
Serbia: documented application of the same framework
Why do those in power ban some organizations, pressure others, and cooperate with some?
The government does not assess all organizations according to whether they are “civilian”, but according to what they can do. A group that provides social assistance, sports or cultural programs can be useful and politically harmless, so the government gives it space or money.
An organization that connects people from different backgrounds, collects independent data, defends the vulnerable or can quickly initiate public pressure is a greater risk. It can be banned, left without funding, exposed to inspections or forced to do only a narrow service job. The border changes: the humanitarian group becomes “political” as soon as it starts asking why help is needed and who is responsible. That is why the real test is how much the organization can independently determine the goal, money and public speech.
The border between the ‘service’ and the ‘political’ organization is not permanent. The government can change it, and the organizations adapt to survive and continue their work.
Works supporting this answer, with their evidence type and an explanation of how they relate to the claim.
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Toepler, S., Zimmer, A., Fröhlich, C. i Obuch, K. (2020), „The Changing Space for NGOs: Civil Society in Authoritarian and Hybrid Regimes“, VOLUNTAS 31: 649–662.
- Contribution to this answer
- Toepler and co-authors show that the authoritarian government does not treat the entire civil society the same: organizations that make political demands can limit and suppress, while service providers and organizations that support regime messages can offer money, space and cooperation. Which organization will get the stick, and which carrot depends on what it does and how politically dangerous it is.
Analysis of the work of organizations in China
Spires, A. J. (2011), „Contingent Symbiosis and Civil Society in an Authoritarian State: Understanding the Survival of China’s Grassroots NGOs“, American Journal of Sociology 117(1): 1–45.
- Contribution to this answer
- Spires shows how even formally unregistered organizations can survive under authoritarian rule if they solve social problems, do not turn that work into democratic political demands and bring benefits to local officials without great political risk. Tolerance therefore does not have to mean freedom it lasts until both sides have a reason not to cross the unwritten border.
Explain how the system works
Teets, J. C. (2014), Civil Society under Authoritarianism: The China Model, Cambridge University Press.
- Contribution to this answer
- Teets shows how the Chinese government has learned through experience that civil society can be both useful and dangerous: organizations can provide services and improve public policies, but they can also organize a protest. That is why there is a “consultative authoritarianism” that tries to encourage useful participation, and limit the one that threatens political control.
review more research
Rutzen, D. (2015), „Authoritarianism Goes Global (II): Civil Society Under Assault“, Journal of Democracy 26(4): 28–39.
- Contribution to this answer
- Rutzen documents how the government can narrow the space of organizations without their open ban especially through foreign financing rules, registration and special statuses such as a “foreign agent”. Thus, the organization can formally continue to exist, while its practical cost of work is constantly increasing.
comparing several countries or cases
Schleutker, E. (2021), „Co-optation and Repression of Religion in Authoritarian Regimes“, Politics and Religion 14(2): 209–240.
- Contribution to this answer
- Schleutker shows the same double logic on religious communities: the government positively supports and includes some in the system and restricts others. The choice also depends on the ambitions and strength of the religious group itself and on how much the regime has the capabilities and reasons to control it.
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