Advocacy NGOs and the Neoliberal Pacification of the Demands of the Street

by Juan Francisco Palma Carvajal

Overview

This book critically explores the role of two advocacy NGOs actively involved in processes of education policymaking during the recent education reforms carried out in Chile, the country known as the first laboratory of neoliberalism around the world. Based on Foucault’s theoretical work on governmentality the book argues that neoliberalism as a form of governmentality has permeated in Chilean policymaking, generating new forms of domination through freedom by situating NGOs as active and responsible subjects of government. In this way, this volume contests the supposed benefits of NGOs as a force to enhance democracy and foment social participation, arguing instead, that NGOs image as representatives of civil society can be used to pacify social movements demands for radical change and build a political consensus that serves to legitimate government interests in policymaking.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783030765132
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
Publication date:	08/05/2021
Edition description:	1st ed. 2021
Pages:	126
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Juan Francisco Palma Carvajal is a Lecturer in the School of Policy Studies at the University of Bristol, UK. He has previously worked as a Researcher at the Catholic University of Chile as well as in the Chilean Ministry of Education and in environmental NGOs. His research focuses on the politics of policymaking, citizen participation in policy processes and the changes in policymaking under neoliberal governance.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction.- 2. A History of Governance and Neoliberalism in Latin America.- 3. The Context of Chile.- 4. The Cambiemos la Educacion NGO.- 5. The Tiempo de Enseñar NGO.- 6. Conclusion

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“This book provides a nuanced analysis, where many others fail to, in the discussion of civil society organisations with a focus on political influence. The liberal wishful thinking by definition sees civil society intervention as a force that diversifies, pluralizes and democratizes the public sphere. This work goes beyond these assumptions as it unpacks, in detail, the influence NGOs effectively have in a particularly controversial political agenda. What happens when influence is sought without an alliance with the challenging social movements? How can a critical approach of influence be achieved without being excluded by the governmental agenda? What are the challenges and tensions that arise from these strategies? Organized civil society is diverse and today foundations and other NGOs are proliferating in Chile, seeking above all to ‘influence’ public policies. With Professionalized and formally autonomous structures, they take advantage of public legitimacy and mass media coverage. However, these NGOs become part of a highly contradictory broad governmentality that requires critical analysis, which this book performs in detail and with great rigor.”

—Gonzalo Delamaza, Professor, University of Los Lagos, Chile

“This fascinating and thorough book is important reading for anyone interested in examining critically the role of NGOs in the policy process.”

—Sonia Exley, Associate Professor, London School of Economics, UK

“Contributing to filling a gap between social movement studies and civil society studies, this book offers important reflections on the critical potential for NGOs advocacy in resisting neoliberal governability.”

—Donatella Della Porta, Professor, Scuola Normale Superiore, Italy