The Role Of Civil Society Organizations In Promoting Political Participation in Palestine

This thesis discuss the history; development and mission of Palestinian Civil Society as well as their role in changing the Palestinian society’s trends and attitudes vis-a vis a modern civil society. A comparison between the Western Civil Society and those in Palestine is also illustrated on various levels. The thesis is divided into five chapters the first of which includes an introduction as well as a theoretical plan in which the researcher introduces his academic method of study, the objectives of the study and the relevant literature survey. The second chapter includes two key issues, the first of which discusses the theoretical definition of the civil society and the non-governmental organizations’ history and development, and the various kinds and degrees of political participation in modern democratic societies. The second key issue concentrates on the Palestinian civil society organizations, the different kinds of these organizations, their development, and their vision regarding the political participation process. The third chapter discusses the role of the Palestinian Civil Society Organizations in promoting the political participation process as well as the different types and degrees of this kind of participation. Factors influencing the civil society organizations’ efforts in promoting the political participation process and pertaining trends are discussed in the end of this chapter. The fourth chapter discusses the difficulties and obstacles that undermine the CSO’s efforts in playing an active role in promoting the political participation process. Weakness of Palestinian Civil Society, their hesitation in being pioneers for a change, and their relations with the various political parties are also discussed. This chapter also discusses the somehow tensed relationship between the Palestinian Civil Society with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) because of the tough regulations imposed on them. Outstanding differences on financial matters between these NGO’s and the PNA on one hand, and donors on the other hand, and the continuous struggle between the organizations and the PNA over the use of funds are also highlighted. The fifth and last chapter includes a summary and conclusion that highlight key issues. The researcher also sustains the vital role that Palestinian NGO’s play in building a civil society in Palestine. The last part of the thesis includes some recommendations for promoting the role of Palestinian Civil Society in Palestine. Those recommendations could be of benefit to different parties including the NGO’s themselves, the PNA and the Palestinian society by and large.