Title: Building democracy in contemporary Russia : Western support for grassroots organizations /
Authors: Henderson, Sarah, 1971-
Publisher: Cornell University Press,
Year: 2003
Subjects: Civil society Russia (Federation); Democracy Russia (Federation); Economic assistance Russia (Federation); Non-governmental organizations Russia (Federation); Russia (Federation) Politics and government
Abstract: Can foreign donors help build new democracies? In the 1990s, public and private organizations such as USAID and the Soros Foundation poured huge amounts of money and expertise into Russia to help build the dream of a vibrant democratic society. Sarah L. Henderson argues that despite the altruistic intentions of foreign assistance agencies and domestic activists, foreign aid designed to spur civic growth has had unintended consequences. Foreign aid has made a tremendous difference, but not in altogether expected or positive ways. New Russian civic groups serve either the needs of an indigenous clientele or the demands of the foreign aid bureaucracy-but rarely both. Henderson's research and experience show that while aid has kept a fledgling civic community alive, it is a civic community that is disconnected from its own domestic audience. The book suggests that large flows of foreign aid have in some ways damaged the long-term prospects for democratization in Russia.
Contents: Civic traditions and trends in contemporary Russia : impediments to collective action -- Constructing civil society : foreign aid and NGO development -- Women's organizations and foreign aid -- Women's organizations and the Ford Foundation -- The paradox of externally promoting civil society.