Mobilization or De-Mobilization?

This chapter addresses the qualitative transformations of organizations. It portrays the quantitative changes in the groups and their memberships. Data were collected for citizens&s; organizations under four periods: the prior democratic regime, the "socialist experiment", authoritarian rule and the emergent democracy. The data do allow us to establish that while in some areas participation somewhat diminishes, and in other realms it increases slightly, civil society does not demonstrate a significant trend either towards mobilization or de-mobilization following a transition back to democracy. The chapter presents the case studies which indicate that re-democratization does not lead functional organizations to experience a significant decline or escalation in numbers of groups or members. Groups persist despite the enormous changes in the political system and funding scenario. What remains indiscernible with the available data is the extent to which actual active participation within the functional groups subsides or sustains itself.