Conceptualizing Government-Organized Non-Governmental Organizations

Abstract

This article offers a conceptual framework to identify and analyze the contemporary behavior of the paradoxical government-organized, non-governmental organization (GONGO). We discuss how GONGOs’ activities fit within mainstream civil society theories and traditions. Furthermore, we compare and analyze GONGOs and NGOs in terms of their sources of power, main activities and functions, and dilemmas. Finally, we theorize the effects, and implications, the growth of GONGOs has on state and society relations globally.

Keywords: government-organized non-governmental organization (GONGO), NGO functions and activities, civil society theory, state-society relations