Cover Osteuropa 6-8/2019

In Osteuropa 6-8/2019

Political corrective
The rise and transformation of civil society in Romania

Joachim Pranzl


Deutsche Fassung

Abstract

Since the upheaval of 1989, civil society in Romania has changed dramatically. At first, it hardly existed at all. Around the start of the new millennium, the number of NGOs began to increase, and they became more professional and capable of taking action. In recent years, an increasing number of people have protested against bad governance, corruption, austerity measures and environmental destruction. Mass protests have changed the country. Romanian civil society has become politicised. It benefits from the increased mobility provided by social media and the contribution of a politically mature diaspora that is takes its responsibilities seriously. Civil society has become the most important corrective to corrupt policies.

(Osteuropa 6-8/2019, pp. 261–272)