THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY INSTITUTIONS IN THE DEMOCRATIZATION PROCESSES IN THE WIDER BLACK SEA REGION Prof. Dr. Ashot Alexanyan, Political Science Department, Faculty of International Relations, Yerevan State University Abstract: This paper discusses interinstitutional relations of the civiliarchic effect from potential cooperation among WBSR countries. In particular, I emphasize the establishment of the interregional mechanism for human rights protection and NGOs network. Democratization of the public institutions in the WBSR is a part of the International, Interregional integration, where the role of civil society institutions and Intergovernmental cooperation is significant. This will be a new mechanism of regional civil power and civiliarchic democracy that will be contributed to peaceful stability through balance of national power. An important observation is that the glocal activity of civil society institutes also concentrates on realization of interests of authority with the uttermost consideration of the widest spectrum of pluralistic interests. Civil society institutes of promote divisions and redistributions of ways of regional authority, realization of political mobilization of citizens, decisionmaking, the control over political elites, citizens - to all this display of civiliarchic control realization by political actors. Keywords: intergovernmental and interinstitutional cooperation, civiliarchy, regional integration I. INTRODUCTION The procedures of democratization in the Wider Black Sea Region (WBSR) are depending much more from regional stability and security system. However, although the most fundamental is civiliarchic democracy, because only civilianized nation-state in regional context will be to establish a multicultural, traditional, multireligion civiliarchic society. Now, in the region there are illiberal and ethnocratic powerful barriers, they are improving ethnonational factors against civiliarchic culture and identity, liberal democratic principles, as well as, socio-political development, European and Euro-Atlantic integration. In such case, the UN, EU, COE, OSCE, NATO would support to the glocal democratization process towards the BSEC organization. It is clear that WBSR countries have different levels of democracy, civil regime, human rights protection and current regional security issues. The fact those regional decision-makers actors activities are limiting in military, security and economic interest s field. However, the regional existing social-political infrastructure needs, as well as additional consideration by the European in particular and the international civil society institutions (ICSIs) in general. Moreover, this would be necessary for civiliarchic values formation and also important for alternative nongovernmental influence ways and peaceful coexistence. Page 1 of 9
II. REGIONAL REGIME OF CIVILIARCHIC DEMOCRACY In the modern democratic political system have a special significance civil society institutions (CSIs) role, because civiliarchy is a guarantee for internal and external integration. This idea is based on effective glocal system, regional civilitet, socio-cultural evaluation, human capital and sustainable regional development. Different political national elites, quality of government and administrative mechanism may try to determine leadership, powerful control or balance among resources in the representative region. In other words, a regional power relation must include all other national power configurations. At this point, many scientists are analyzed key actors with the following terms: civil society priorities (E.Gellner), dilemmas of hegemonistic democracy (Z.Brzezinski), illiberal democracy (F.Zakaria), interrelation democracy and belligerence, positive and negative peace, conflict transformation (J.Galtung), legitimate democratic order, developmental democracy, democratic autonomy (D.Held), development and transformation of world culture (I.Wallerstein ), transnational and international conditions of democratization (A.Melville) 1 : Considering the established level of interstate, interethnic, intercultural and interreligious attitudes, guarantees of security 2, opposition and the contradiction in BSEC; it is obvious, that they have positive and negative values for a regime of regional democratization. In a context of decisions of the specified problems, institutes of civil society can play a huge role in an interstate, regional and international level of integration. They enter as original mechanisms and models of cooperation with other public institutes. In the long-term development, institutes of 1 See E. Gellner. Conditions of Liberty. Civil Society and Its Rivals. М.,2004, pp.206-212; Z. Brzezinski. The Choice. Global Domination or Global Leadership. М.,2005, pp.229, 251-267; F. Zakaria. The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad. М.,2004, p.87-116; J. Galtung. Peace by Peaceful Means: Peace and Conflict, Development and Civilization.. Y.,2005, p. 90-106; D. Held. Models of Democracy. Cambridge, 1987, p.221-229, 289-292; I. Wallerstein. After Liberalism. М.,2003, p.157-167; A.Yu. Melville. Becoming of the transnational political environment and "wave" of democratization, in: A.V. Torkunov, I.G. Tjulin, A.Yu. Melville (eds.): Modern international relations and world politics: the textbook, M., 2005, p. 127. 2 See E.B. Rumer, J.Simon. Toward a Euro-Atlantic Strategy for the Black Sea Region. W.,D.C.,2006, p.19-20, F.Tassinari. A Synergy for Black Sea Regional Cooperation: Guidelines for an EU Initiative, // CEPS Policy Brief, No.105/June 2006, p.1-15, M.Vahl. The EU and Black Sea Regional Cooperation: Some Challenges for BSEC, CEPS Commentary, 15, Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels, 15 April 2005. Page 2 of 9
civil society can promote becoming regional civiliarchic systems 3. It will enable to create effective regional mechanisms for protection of the human rights and freedom. It can have following levels of development: NGOs, trade unions, mass-media, the religious organizations, and various civil organizations. The given institutes have rod value for maintenance of step integration which will create preconditions for self-realization of human and national potential. Only the developed Civil Society is able to establish the democratic political regime 4, which is itself the guarantee for the Civiliarchic democracy and protection of human rights. Only at sufficient including of institutes of civil society national and regional integration can provide equal development. In this sense regional mechanisms of integration are way of public convergence ", criterion of which estimation of efficiency is civiliarchic stability. Regional institutes of civil society can provide participation of objective groups " not only during acceptance of public decisions, but also during their preparation, realization and control. And it is one of components which "checks and balances" civil management. But in a context of regional developments there are following questions: a) Whether strategic transformations of the Euro-Atlantic institutes 5 in short-term and longterm prospect can to promote establishment civiliarchic regime? b) What type of civil society as much as possible corresponds to the device of the modern democratic state? c) What civil authority can provide glocal democratization? And how regional modes concern to dynamics of development of institutes of civil society? Table of Disputed Territories: Comparative Measures of Freedom 6 1 represents the most free and 7 the least free rating. The ratings reflect an overall judgment based on survey results. 3 See A.Alexanyan. The Civiliarchic Transformation of Civil Society in Armenia: Civiliologic Discourse, in: A. Gunes-Ayata, A.Ergun, I.Celimli (eds.): Black Sea Politics. Political Culture and Civil Society in an Unstable Region (International Library of Political Studies 8). L.,N.Y.,2005, p.130-40. 4 See W. Merkel, A. Croissant. Formale und informale Institutionen in defekten Demokratien, in: Politische Vierteljahresschrift, 2000, Heft 1, S. 3-30; R. Dahrendorf. Auf der Suche nach einer neuen Ordnung. München, 2003; J.Keane. Civil Society. Old images, new visions. Cambrige/Oxford, 1998; Ch.Turner. Civil Society or Constitutional Patriotism?, in: Democratization, 1997, 1, p.115-131. 5 See J.Simon. Preventing Balkan Conflict: The Role of Euroatlantic Institutions, // Strategic Forum, No.226, April 2007, p.1-8 6 See http://www.freedomhouse.org Page 3 of 9
Country and Territory Political Rights Civil Liberties Freedom Rating Armenia/Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh Cyprus Northern (Turkish) Cyprus Georgia Abkhazia Moldova Transnistria Russia Chechnya Serbia Kosovo 5 5 Partly Free 2 2 Free 5 5 Partly Free 6 6 Not Free 7 7 Not Free 6 5 Not Free It is obvious, that glocal control system is exposed new ethnocratic and natiocratic to face danger at the present stage of globalization. Development of national and supranational leads to a civilization not minimalization or to resolution of conflicts, and on the contrary: opposition gets more extreme way of display. Under threat of it appears not only the further development of public attitudes on global and regional, but also on national levels. And in that case of a problem of civil development and recession demand from all factors to consider interests, motivations and needs of subjects of policy. III. THE CONTEXT OF NGOs CHOICE The civic participation and institutional capacity need NGO sector development, because they are playnig a major role in the human rights protection. Without effective control by the NGOs it is impossible to provide the process of democratization of political system and political regime in WBSR. The establishment of the State Governing System and of the bodies of Local Self-Governing, anyhow depends on the existence of NGOs 7, as well as the role of NGOs in process of Eureopean Integration is important. Defects, crisis and metamorphoses of regional democracy are the results of not influential NGOs, because the NGOs integrate and rationalize social relations. The process of democratization in WBSR has established new institutional relations between national NGOs and global civil society. The result is the co-oporation national 7 See F. Furtak. Nichtregirungsorganisationen (NGOs) im politischen System der Europäischen Union. München, 2001, S. 248-258. Page 4 of 9
NGOs between international NGOs and associations in democratization perspective. In this meaning a comparative analyze of the independent component indicators of national NGOs. Example of cooperation of regional institute of civil society, in particular between public organizations, is the Black Sea NGO Network (BSNN) 1998) * which spends various actions and researches in the field of social problems. And also Yerevan resolution International Council accepted in 2004 on Social Welfare Black Sea Regional Civil Society Forum where public organizations from the countries of members BSEC which have approved the basic directions of the further cooperation participated. In this case most important is the Black Sea University Foundation (1992) as a non-political and non-profit organization (BSUF) **. Possible cooperation between trade unions, mass-media, religious organizations, also will gradually lead to the establishment of civilicentric the nations-states and citizen-centric service. Main issue is about How can regional NGOs realize Civiliarchic Control towards bodies of State Governing? where I include the following questions: a) whether the institutions of Civil Society impact on the rise of quality of state service? b) how the regional NGOs participate in the political decision-making and control process? In fact, that: As much the NGOs are well-established, so the control towards the state is Civiliarchic. This hypothesis will provide us with the opportunity to discover the Civiliarchic approach of NGOs, because it shows the functional possibilities of NGOs, as well as the degree of legitimacy of Civil Power. Similarly to BSNN, creation of similar networks among other not-state organizations is expedient. In a direction of a deepening of cooperation of regional institutes of civil society, has great value BSEC and PABSEC which developments at a present stage can promote establishment of the interinstitutional systems of civil society. And not only at intraregional, but also at international and European levels. In this context a necessary condition is participation of all regional nations-states, thus excepting isolation. * The Black Sea NGO Network (BSNN), established in 1998 and registered in 1999, is a regional association of NGOs from all Black Sea countries. The BSNN members, currently over 60, are brought together by the common concern for the decreasing environmental quality of the Black Sea and the need for the adoption of democratic values and practices in the Black Sea countries that follow the ideals of sustainability. BSNN is an independent, non-political, non-governmental, non-profit voluntary association of NGOs from the six Black Sea countries: Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine (See http://www.bseanetwork.org). ** BSUF took the initiative to set up a network of Black Sea universities, drawing inspiration from its exchanges with the Baltic Sea University (Uppsala) and the University of the Mediterranean Sea (Rome) (See http://www.bsufonline.org/m3_1.htm). Page 5 of 9
IV. THE BLACK SEA UNION SCENARIO But it is necessary to note, that already for a long time it is time to create a new format of cooperation which can refer to Black Sea Union (BSU) that will enable to pass from economic cooperation to social, political and spiritually-cultural. Example told can become experiences of creation of the United Nations, Council of Europe, OSCE, EU, and also process of integration of the West-European countries which could overcome all contradictions. In this direction the major step can become acceptance by Black Sea the Human Rights Declaration as protection of human rights is that area which is universal for all national societies. Civil efforts of becoming social and a lawful state, democratization of public attitudes can generate in common sphere universal action which will dominate over interethnic conflicts and oppositions. Democratization of the public institutions in the WBSR is a part of the International, interregional integration and is a complex process (phenomenon), which includes political, legal, cultural, and social issues. An exact approach has not yet developed toward that phenomenon in regional society, as well as many debates continue, entailing conflicting opinions. The Post-Soviet political culture continues to have its influence on contemporary mass outlook, mentality and consciousness by inertia. Often the dangers and anticipations that may follow democratization and political integration are exaggerated. Usually, such principles of democratic political culture as freedom of conscience, tolerance towards all types of minorities, gender equality are met with vigorous criticism. The authoring group views the object of the study as being in direct connection to the establishment and development of civil society in WBSR, since this idea with its origins and its present form is a central/crucial part of civiliarchic political culture. This will facilitate the entrance into global civilization. After the liberation process of Post-Soviet space, the integration into the International community had a key significance for all national societies. At present, the carrying out of political analyses on the democratization process of the political institutions in WBSR is rather urgent. Such analyses would give the opportunity of rendering Europeanization processes as predictable as possible. Page 6 of 9
Table of Independent Countries: Comparative Measures of Freedom 8 1 represents the most free and 7 the least free rating. The ratings reflect an overall judgment based on survey results. Trend Arrow Country Political Rights Civil Liberties Freedom Rating Albania* 3 3 Partly Free Armenia 5 4 Partly Free Azerbaijan 6 5 Not Free Bulgaria* 1 2 Free Cyprus* 1 1 Free Georgia* 4 4 Partly Free Greece* 1 2 Free Iran 6 6 Not Free Moldova* 3 4 Partly Free Romania* 2 2 Free Russia 6 5 Not Free Serbia* 3 2 Free Turkey* 3 3 Partly Free Ukraine* 3 2 Free up or down indicates a change in Political Rights or Civil Liberties since the last survey. up or down indicates a trend arrow. *indicates a country s status as an electoral democracy. NOTE: The ratings reflect global events from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2007. V. CONCLUSION Summarizing the WBSR Political System democratization, it becomes obvious that the role of the CSIs is very significant. Especially focus on the role of NGOs in the process of establishment of the Civic Culture and Civiliarchy. Also we are making a comparative analysis of the WBSR and European CSIs, as well as the factors which support or create obstacles in the process of establishment of these institutions. In the conclusion, I wish to note, that institutes of civil society provide steady functioning mechanisms of the democratic control which assumes: 8 See http://www.freedomhouse.org Page 7 of 9
Formation on glocal and national levels of the favorable environment of civil tolerance, Carrying out of regional independent researches, that, is permanent giving the information on opportunities of regional developments, To organize informal education, consistently increasing the level of knowledge and civil culture of regional generality, that promoting formation of public opinion about protection of human rights, leaderships of the law and civil poliarchy, Development of Regional civil society institutions network (RCSIN) which includes cooperation between public organizations, trade unions, mass-media, religious organizations and various civil organizations. RCSIN will enable to create a databank about problems of protection of human rights, that in its turn will render positive influence on quality of democracy and the government, Establishment of institutes civiliarchic democracies, creating the mechanism that "checks and balances" as opposed to an authoritative regime and militocracy, Establishment of civiliarchic culture, civil identity and alternative mechanisms of cooperation, creating preconditions for the civilized settlement of conflicts. WORKS CITED Alexanyan, Ashot 2005: The Civiliarchic Transformation of Civil Society in Armenia: Civiliologic Discourse, in: A. Gunes-Ayata, A.Ergun, I.Celimli (eds.): Black Sea Politics. Political Culture and Civil Society in an Unstable Region (International Library of Political Studies 8). London, New York: I.B. Tauris, p. 130-40. Brzezinski, Zbigniew 2005: The Choice. Global Domination or Global Leadership. Moscow, pp. 229, 251-267. Dahrendorf, Ralf 2003: Auf der Suche nach einer neuen Ordnung. München. Furtak, Florian T. 2001: Nichtregirungsorganisationen (NGOs) im politischen System der Europäischen Union. München, S. 248-258. Galtung, Johan 2005: Peace by Peaceful Means: Peace and Conflict, Development and Civilization. Yerevan, p. 90-106. Gellner, Ernest 2004: Conditions of Liberty. Civil Society and Its Rivals. Moscow, p. 206-212. Held, David 1987: Models of Democracy. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 221-229, 289-292. Page 8 of 9
Keane, John 1998: Civil Society. Old images, new visions. Cambrige/Oxford. Melville A.Yu. 2005: Becoming of the transnational political environment and "wave" of democratization, in: A.V.Torkunov, I.G.Tjulin, A.Yu.Melville (eds.): Modern international attitudes and world politics: the textbook, p. 127. Merkel, Wolfgang, Croissant, Aurel 2000: Formale und informale Institutionen in defekten Demokratien, in: Politische Vierteljahresschrift, 41.Jg., Heft 1, S. 3-30. Rumer, Eugene B., Simon, Jeffrey 2006: Toward a Euro-Atlantic Strategy for the Black Sea Region. Washington, D.C.: National Defense University Press, p.19-20. Simon, Jeffrey 2007: Preventing Balkan Conflict: The Role of Euroatlantic Institutions, // Strategic Forum, No.226, April, p.1-8. Tassinari, Fabrizio 2006: A Synergy for Black Sea Regional Cooperation: Guidelines for an EU Initiative, // CEPS Policy Brief, No.105/June, p.1-15. Turner, Charles 1997: Civil Society or Constitutional Patriotism?, in: Democratization, 1, p. 115-131. Vahl, Marius 2005: The EU and Black Sea Regional Cooperation: Some Challenges for BSEC, CEPS Commentary, 15, Centre for European Policy Studies, Brussels, 15 April. Wallerstein, Immanuel 2003: After Liberalism. Moscow, p.157-167 Zakaria, Fareed 2004: The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad. Moscow, p. 87-116. Page 9 of 9