Stefan Toepler and Christian Fröhlich
The growing trend towards closing the political space for civil society in authoritarian regimes has primarily targeted NGOs focused on rights-based advocacy. Drawing on a study…
Abstract
Purpose
The growing trend towards closing the political space for civil society in authoritarian regimes has primarily targeted NGOs focused on rights-based advocacy. Drawing on a study of disability NGOs in Russia, this paper seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the advocacy options that nonprofit organizations have even in repressive political contexts. The authors first review the extant literature to identify common actors, types and tactics and then trace what types of advocacy Russian NGOs are engaged in and what tactics they are able to utilize.
Design/methodology/approach
The empirical part of this paper is based on 20 interviews conducted among active participants in disability NGOs in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Perm and Nizhniy Novgorod. Despite not being a representative sample of organizations, the selection of cities and organizations was intended to reflect spatial and structural factors of the field.
Findings
The authors find that NGOs are able to pursue a broad range of advocacy activities despite a generally restrictive legal environment for civil society.
Research limitations/implications
Research on advocacy in authoritarian countries is often focused on NGOs that are primarily engaged in these activities. This has overshadowed the considerable leeway that nonprofit service providers have to engage in advocacy.
Practical implications
Service-providing NGOs should not forsake advocacy activities, even in authoritarian contexts, but can find access points in the political system and should seek to utilize their voice on behalf of their clients.
Social implications
Despite general restrictions, NGOs can still find ways to successfully secure social rights, justice and solidarity, provided they accept the supremacy of the state in social policy and appeal to the state's responsibility for the welfare of its citizens without directly questioning the overall status quo too heavily.
Originality/value
We develop a broad framework for various advocacy forms and activities and apply it to nonprofit service providers.
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Keywords
Helmut K. Anheier, Stefan Toepler and S. Wojciech Sokolowski
While the state dependency thesis seems widely accepted among students of the German non‐profit sector, there is surprisingly little research that has systematically explored its…
Abstract
While the state dependency thesis seems widely accepted among students of the German non‐profit sector, there is surprisingly little research that has systematically explored its empirical base and conceptual validity. Attempts to remedy this situation and offers an initial empirical examination of this thesis. Examines the extent and pattern of state funding of the German non‐profit sector and develops three propositions, each adopting a different explanatory focus, which are then analysed with the help of data taken from a sample survey of West German non‐profit organizations.
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Many scholars and practitioners consider development to be as much an institutional and organizational phenomenon as it is an economic one. Among other elements, civil society is…
Abstract
Many scholars and practitioners consider development to be as much an institutional and organizational phenomenon as it is an economic one. Among other elements, civil society is a key determinant of a country’s level of social capital. Important links appear to exist between a robust associational milieu and the effective operation of democracy. However, the role of civil society organizations in human development has only recently gained attention.
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This case study was developed using publicly available published sources like the company’s website, articles, blogs, videos, filings, etc. Multiple sources were used to put…
Abstract
Research methodology
This case study was developed using publicly available published sources like the company’s website, articles, blogs, videos, filings, etc. Multiple sources were used to put together the chronology, quotes and details. This case is not disguised. All the key figures in the case study are identified by their real names.
Case overview/synopsis
Black Girls Code (BGC) was founded by Kimberly Bryant (Bryant, she) as a nonprofit organization in 2011. BGC conducted workshops and programs to teach young girls of color technology, science, engineering and math and train them in Web design, developing apps and robotics. It aimed to address the lack of diversity in science and technology. The organization has received support from tech giants like Google, Facebook and IBM. In one decade, the organization trained more than 30,000 girls and aimed to teach one million girls by 2040.
In 2021, the BGC board ousted Bryant, citing allegations of workplace impropriety. She was put on paid administrative leave by the board. This ousting was done in the aftermath of complaints by several employees who raised concerns about Bryant’s conduct. The former and current employees said that high turnover in the organization was due to Bryant’s leadership, which was rooted in fear, and that she would publicly insult managers. The board formed a special committee to evaluate the concerns and sent Bryant on administrative leave.
Cristina Jones, who succeeded Bryant as CEO, brought about several changes in the organization and expanded the scope of science, technology, engineering and math to include arts. She expanded the courses to include design, gaming and others. She was looking forward to launching one million black girls in tech by 2040. But before she could go on, she needed to ensure that the ouster of the founder did not hinder the activities at BGC in any manner and also needed to address the concerns of employees, students and funders.
Complexity academic level
This case can be used to learn about nonprofits, the role of nonprofits in building an equitable society and nonprofit entrepreneurs. The objective is to understand how passionate entrepreneurs can create organizations that can make a high impact with limited resources but with ambition and vision for radical change.
This case also helps in learning the challenges encountered due to the rapid growth of startups and the role of the leader in handling such growth.
This case can be integrated into any of the existing courses or taken as a special case study to illustrate the gender and racial disparities that exist even in highly developed countries like the USA.