Conclusion

Abstract

With the end of the Cold War and the emergence of a new paradigm of development centred on the state, market and civil society, the 1990s ushered in a ‘golden era’ for non-governmental public actors. Politicians, governments, international development institutions and foundations all enthusiastically courted non-governmental public actors as a way of providing social services, fostering rights-based development and promoting democratisation. It was an era when civil society organisations were perceived as benign, co-operative partners in development processes and increasing amounts of developmental assistance money was channelled towards strengthening civil society in newly democratic countries. While many nongovernmental public actors did not benefit from such largesse, the bulk of funds being directed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and rights-based groups, the spirit of the time was one of embracing civil society as an equal partner in addressing issues of poverty and social justice.