Microcosms of democracy? Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and their impact on political attitudes and behaviour in Kenya

Abstract

This study contributes to the general question of whether the democratic functioning of civil society organisations is a necessary condition for building a democratic political culture. Specifically, it empirically tests the effect of internal governance structures of non-governmental organisations in Kenya on employees' political attitudes and behaviour. Current literature is characterized by a debate on the contribution of civil society to democratisation (Diamond, 1999; Bratton & de Walle, 1997; Dicklitch, 1998; Nzomo, 2003; Chabal and Daloz, 1999; Orvis, 2001; Murunga, 2000; Kinyanga, 2003) as well as the role of democracy 'all-the-way down' in achieving democratic consolidation (Rosenblum, 2002; Shapiro, 1999). Whereas the pluralist school holds that a proliferation of associational organisations is necessary for a democratic society other authors argue that these organisations will only contribute to democratisation if they themselves practice internal democracy. This dissertation empirically tests two questions. Firstly, do experiences of democracy result in internalization of democratic values and behaviours and secondly, do these values and behaviours transmit to networks and other organisations?