June 29, 2001

Strengthening Civil Society in Other Countries

By MARINA OTTAWAY

American democracy has been characterized from its inception by the intensity of direct citizen participation. Americans do not necessarily vote, but when it comes to trying to influence government policies that affect them, they are quick to organize and make their voices heard.

This propensity was first noted by Alexis de Tocqueville in the 1830's and continues today. Although fewer Americans participate in mass-membership organizations today than decades ago, as Robert D. Putnam has

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