Do NGOs have a future?

While selected articles are available in full on this website, all Arena Quarterly, Arena Magazine and Arena Journal articles are available for to view in PDF format via Informit. You can purchase the article, or access Informit for free via a public library account, such as the State Library of Victoria. We get a small amount of money from Informit for you accessing the article in this way, so get a bit of material support too.

Abstract:

When NGOs buy into the language of philanthrocapital, there’s a problem.

What are international NGOs good for? The fact that this question is now being asked insistently in forums across the world speaks of a crisis of legitimacy in the international development sector. Long viewed with suspicion in countries of the global South, international NGOs are now coming under fire in their home environments, where many are accused of abandoning any concern with social justice in their desire to cement new power relationships with capital, philanthrocapital and the state. If they are no longer inspired by a desire for justice, the more fundamental question is: do NGOs have a future at all?

Details / PDF:

The full-text PDF of this article can be downloaded from Informit. You can purchase the article, or access Informit for free via a public library account, such as the State Library of Victoria.

Support Arena

Independent publications and critical thought are more important than ever. Arena has never relied on or received government funding. It has sustained its activities largely through the voluntary work and funding provided by editors and supporters. If Arena is to continue and to expand its readership, we need your support to do it.