The Opposition - A Minor Field Study of the Peruvian Civil Society and its Relationship with the State

Abstract: In 2006 a new law in Peru was proposed by the government, compelling civil society organizations to work for the same development goals as the government, which basically meant to account for their funding, and if it was not in line with the goals of the government, organizations would be fined or suspended. I have conducted a minor field study in Peru and investigated the relationship between the state and the civil society and how the civil society perceives that this relationship has affected their work and progress. A theoretical framework that looks at civil society in terms of four democracy-building abilities, as a counterforce, educator, agenda setter and source for new political alternatives, has been applied to my interviews. My interviews have pointed me to the conclusion that the fragile relationship between the state and civil society does not allow for civil societies democracy-building abilities to manifest fully. The parts of civil society that are mainly affected are organizations within sectors of environment, human rights, indigenous rights and gender equality. Parts of the Peruvian civil society’s work and progress are being hindered by the relationship between the state and civil society and civil society has rather come to be the states’ opposition.