Civil societies which is considered indispensable for democracy is witnessing a decline in recent times. Examine the above statement and discuss its effects on Indian society. (200 words)
Refer – The Hindu
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
· Citizens initiate and sustain various conversations with each other through associational life in the space of civil society.
· Associations bring people together in different projects, enable them to speak back to power, and protect them against arbitrary exercise of state power.
· For these reasons, associations are considered indispensable for democratic life.
Significance of Civil Societies
· Associations encourage people of differing views to connect with each others.
· It helps to
a) appreciate codes of sociability
b) moderate aggressive instincts
c) rid our minds of mindless prejudices
d) see other people as worthy of regard and respect
· It might also helps to
a) tame acquisitive individualism
b) discipline bellicose impulses
· Associational life trains us to be sociable and civil.
On the declining path
· Rights activists are often labelled as anti-national.
· Members of CSOs are hounded and subjected to vile accusations and abuse on the social media.
· Investigative agencies have suspended funding of civil society organisations (CSOs).
· Perfectly legitimate protests are frowned upon.
Effect on Indian Society
· It curtails the ordinary citizen’s right to scrutinise the work of their representatives, publicise acts of omission and commission, such as infringement of civil liberties etc.
· The decline of CSO would result in lack of civility and solidarity among citizens.
· The lack of binding force between citizens gives an opportunity for anti-social elements to cultivate incivility.
· Eventually, it would lead to more and more violence and lynchings.
· It will result in bad governance and abuse of power.
