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Marina Ottaway-Civil Society and Democratization Which Civil Society?
Rumi ForumAt a meeting of Arab activists discussing recent protests, a participant declared that "Civil society has not played any role in the uprisings." Everybody agreed. Yet, we know that tens of thousands of citizens have participated in protests and demonstrations throughout the region, and that it is their courage and persistence that is bringing about change. The paradox calls for reflection on civil society and its role in democratization. Bio: Marina Ottaway works on issues of political transformation in the Middle East and Gulf security. A long-time analyst of the formation and transformation Read moreShow less
At a meeting of Arab activists discussing recent protests, a participant declared that "Civil society has not played any role in the uprisings." Everybody agreed. Yet, we know that tens of thousands of citizens have participated in protests and demonstrations throughout the region, and that it is their courage and persistence that is bringing about change. The paradox calls for reflection on civil society and its role in democratization.
Bio: Marina Ottaway works on issues of political transformation in the Middle East and Gulf security. A long-time analyst of the formation and transformation of political systems, she has also written on political reconstruction in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, and African countries. Before joining the Endowment, Ottaway carried out research in Africa and in the Middle East for many years and taught at the University of Addis Ababa, the University of Zambia, the American University in Cairo, and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Ottaway is an expert in civil society, democracy, political reform, non-governmental actors, foreign and humanitarian aid, human rights, Islamist movements, the Middle East, Iraq, and Africa. She received her Ph.D. from Columbia University and undergraduate degree from the University of Pavia, Italy.
Bio: Marina Ottaway works on issues of political transformation in the Middle East and Gulf security. A long-time analyst of the formation and transformation of political systems, she has also written on political reconstruction in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, and African countries. Before joining the Endowment, Ottaway carried out research in Africa and in the Middle East for many years and taught at the University of Addis Ababa, the University of Zambia, the American University in Cairo, and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Ottaway is an expert in civil society, democracy, political reform, non-governmental actors, foreign and humanitarian aid, human rights, Islamist movements, the Middle East, Iraq, and Africa. She received her Ph.D. from Columbia University and undergraduate degree from the University of Pavia, Italy.
