On the NGO-isation of the state.

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Researchers and writers Matthew Thompson and Jonny Gordon-Farleigh join us to discuss their recent Damage article with George Hoare.

Civil society was once occupied by popular forces that could function as a bulwark against both capitalist marketization and state authoritarianism. Today, it has been colonized by the NGO, which, in turn, colonizes our hollowed-out politics. We ask:

What are 'private NGOs', and what are quangos?

How has 'projectification' taken over?

What does the NGOisation of society mean? How does this kill public accountability?

What are concrete examples of this process?

What comes next? Any possibility for resurrecting things like Working Men’s Clubs? 

Links:

Bodiless Bodies: The Rise of Para-Institutions, George, Matt & Jonny, Damage

Reconstructing Public Housing: Liverpool’s hidden history of collective alternatives, Matthew Thompson

The NGOization of the West, George Hoare, Café american