NGOs, A powerful force for political reform

Study on the paper of Kim Eui-young.Subject: “Political change in Republic of Korea”

Agenda

• Pressing for reforms• Participation in policy reform• The recent DECLINE of NGOs' standing• Difficulties of Korean Republic's NGOs• Methods to regain the credibility of NGOs• Suggestions for Government

Pressing for reforms (1)

• Since 1987, NGO efforts:– Monitoring the election process.– Increasing political participation.– Decreasing political corruption.– Monitoring the legislative process in the National

Assembly.– Increasing its transparency.– Pushing for democratization within political

parties.

Pressing for reforms (2)

• “Blacklist Campaign” in 2000 General Elections– 900 civic organizations.– Blacklisted 86 corrupt and incompetent individuals.– 60% to 90% of the Korean people supported.– 59 out of the 86 politicians on the list were

defeated. (equal to 68.6%)– 95% of those listed by the Citizens Solidarity.– This outcome as a "voters' revolution“.

Participation in policy reform (1)

• Kim Young-sam: – Support NGOs financially.– Consider NGOs policy proposals seriously.– Enact some of NGOs recommendations into law.

Participation in policy reform (2)

• Roh Moo-hyun: – Established a new position of senior Secretary to

the President for civil society in the Blue House.– Recruited civil society leaders to the presidential

office and other government agencies.

Participation in policy reform (3)

• Kim Dae-jung: – Best alliance between NGOs and the government:

• Separation of the prescription and dispensing of drugs by PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY REFORMS program.

– NGOs played an active role in the whole policy process. (From the agenda-setting stage to the enactment process)

– Incorporate the input of civil society into the policy process.

– Integrate the support of civic groups into the reform process.

The recent decline of NGOs' standing (1)

• The danger of over-politicization. – Damage of the image of NGOs' neutrality, and

credibility.– People want NGOs to remain uncontaminated by

dirty politics.• The advent of numerous politicized NGOs– Damaging the appearance of neutrality and

devotion to the public interest..

The recent decline of NGOs' standing (1)

• The danger of over-politicization. – Damage of the image of NGOs' neutrality, and

credibility.– People want NGOs to remain uncontaminated by

dirty politics.• The advent of numerous politicized NGOs– Damaging the appearance of neutrality and

devotion to the public interest.

The recent decline of NGOs' standing (2)

• NGOs are getting so close to the government– Make the credentials for independence and autonomy

are weakened or lost.• NGOs are considered an ally of the government,

rather than as an independent force.• NGOs were criticized for both lacking expertise and

NEGLECTING their DUTY.• NGOs are now stigmatized as being overly

politicized and potentially being co-opted by the government.

Difficulties of Korean Republic's NGOs

• Korean NGOs' poor resources base without financial support from the government.

• The danger of the government politicizing the allocation of government subsidies.

To regain the credibility of NGOs (1)

• Stay away from outright partisan politics.• Concentrate on more indirect and neutral

activities. • Maintain at least some autonomy in NGO-

government relations.

To regain the credibility of NGOs (2)

• NGOs need to work on their own structure and character so as to enhance:– Accountability.– Transparency.– Democracy.– Expertise.

• Avoid the danger of politicization, while making good use of government funding.

Suggestions for Government (1)

• The government should adopt more indirect modes of subsidizing NGOs:– Tax-exempt status.– Postal and internet discounts. – Free use of public facilities and land– Provision of state-sponsored internships– etc.

• Encourage and provide various incentives for citizens' donations and volunteer work.

Suggestions for Government (2)

• Establish a private foundation to manage the allocation of government subsidies (In an independent and rational manner).

• Government leaders in Korea NEED TO REALIZE that co-optation strategies DO NOT WORK to their advantage, in the long run.

FAQ ?

Thanh you!