Transforming Inequalities: Role of Civil Society as a Knowledge Society
Transforming Inequalities: Role of Civil Society as a Knowledge Society
Context
A report published by Oxfam, SAPEE and HAMI in Nepal in 2019 clearly illustrates
the severity of inequality in Nepalese society. The report disclosed that the
income of the richest 10% of Nepalese is more than 3 times that of the poorest
40%. Of course, this is not only the single area where inequality exists, but
there are also various categories of inequalities in the current Nepalese
society. The people at the bottom face severe additional burdens and lagged
whereas well-off people would be always ahead. Thus, those in poverty will
remain in poverty even for longer time unless something is done to tackle this
social injustice (Mayabi, 2014).
‘Fighting Inequality’ has become very popular among Nepalese civil
society and many civil society organizations are working to reduce those
inequalities of current times. Majority of the civil society organization
(primarily NGOs), are engaged in organizing and campaigning to fight against
inequalities. Is this role of civil society being enough to transform these inequalities
in a real sense? If not, what might be the other roles? This depends on, i) to
what extent we know the forms and facets of inequalities? ii) to what extent, we understand the drivers
and inequalities? And what are the drivers of inequalities? And then only we can understand, why civil
society itself need to change its role to knowledge society?
Inequalities – a political choice
Inequality
is a consequence of systematic exclusions, discriminations, and unfair
policies. Inequality itself is political. A British political theorist, Harold
Laski, rightly mentioned about inequality and its political roots “a state
divided into a small number of rich and a large number of poor will always
develop a government manipulated by the rich to protect the amenities
represented by their property” (Laski, 2014). When policies are formulated by
few handful of powerful, wealthy, and self-centric people, and vast majority of
public is either unaware or ignorant of the policies process, it is highly probable
that those policies are unfair. Unfortunately, this holds true in Nepal as a
bitter reality when we see deep-rooted and even flourishing crony
capitalism.
It
is a matter of choice of society and most importantly the politics because we
can choose otherwise. The public policies related to employment, health, taxes,
social security, and education are being used as tools of reinforcing, further
augmenting and or institutionalizing the existing inequalities. We can take
recent example budget provision by the government for public education where
the private schools are given responsibility to improve the quality of public
schools. The government could have chosen otherwise. But, until we have a will,
no matter how long it takes, we can defeat it.
We
all consider knowledge as a one of the sources the power. The meaning of
knowledge is being taken differently by many different societies. Since ancient
times to the modern, materialistic, and scientific society, knowledge is
considered as the basic antidote to ignorance and sufferings. Without
knowledge, due to ignorance, society lives in a distorted vision of reality
that makes the us think that what we see around us is permanent and solid. It
is crucial to think about the knowledge canons while bearing in mind that the
canonization of knowledge is closely linked to politics, hierarchies,
competition, and silencing (Joanna, 2019).
With
the revolution of ICTs, knowledge is also serving as a capital and a core
factor production for the modern society by creating the longest lasting
competitive advantage. While on the other hand, knowledge-divide is creating
inequalities in a way that had never in the past. A Nobel Prize-winning
economist Simon Kuznets, in his contribution in the 1950s, had rightly pointed
out knowledge as a one of the factors of inequality during the days of
development that led gradual shift away from agriculture. He argued the
relationship between education, training and a skilled labor force and
inequality is strong and dynamic. At one level, as access to education is
improved and share of population with benefits from education increased, one
might expect a leveling off income inequality. He further argued that without
better knowledge of the evolution of income inequality and the factors that
shape it, our own understanding of the process of economic development would be
insufficient to effectively respond the challenges emerged from income
divergence (Lopez-Claros,
2015).
Similarly,
Mahesh Chandra Regmi – famous Nepalese educationist who studied shifting
patterns of knowledge in highly unequal societies, better explained that how
knowledge practices perpetuate exclusions, but also how they mitigate social
divides while forging social attachments and solidarities across class, gender,
caste and ethnic boundary lines (Pfaff-Czarnecka,
2019). H further added that it is important to understand how
quickly and thoroughly social orders can change, despite continuities. In these
processes, the role of knowledge is crucial in the sense that knowledge fields
are perpetually embattled.
Knowledge
as a seed, it empowers people and transforms individuals into collective
actors. And, if people are empowered and conscious, they learn from the past,
critically analyze, and take informed decisions about their present and future
as well. If they are aware about their rights, they can help make their own
government system work more efficiently and accountably. Nepalese society had
already witnessed series of political transformations induced from the enhanced
awareness, critical thinking, and knowledge on human rights and democracy.
Knowledge Society – vehicle of transformation
Knowledge
has been always part of society, while knowledge and society are the two sides
of the same coin since ancient times. However, after industrial revolution, a
new type of contemporary societal change resulted due to technological
innovation and institutional transformation. The change was not limited to
technology and innovations itself, but also about human beings, their personal
growth and their individual creativity, experience, and participation in the
generation of knowledge. This new society is termed as knowledge society and
this society values and acknowledges the impactful role and contribution of
knowledge in pursuit of socio-economic development.
The
knowledge society is a term to describe societies which are economically and
culturally characterized by a high degree of dependency on their potentials to
create scientific and technological knowledge. Also, it is a society that
values and acknowledges the impactful role and contribution of knowledge in
pursuit of socio-economic development (Tshishonga,
2019). A wider concept of information society entails
commitment of persons as knowers.
Knowledge is fueling
our societies to adopt a vision of a future beyond economic growth. By
transforming the way individuals think, interact, communicate, by transforming
their bodies and surrounding environment reshapes not only its relations to the
other spheres of society, but it also transforms these spheres themselves. This
is evident from our experience of how the meaning of development slowing
shifted from ‘income and economic growth’ sphere to towards more sustainable
development encompassing better equity, equality, peace, justice, and happiness
with no one left behind. This transformation was possible because of knowledge
society that significantly contributed as a vehicle of overall process.
Knowledge
encompasses in a society many different activities and institutions: education,
research, universities and firms, culture and daily life, politics, and
government, etc. GOETE defines the knowledge society in different perspective. “In
an economical view, knowledge society invest in education and training of
people in order to build up resources of human capital which should enable them
to fulfil expectations to perpetuate traditions and more important use the
knowledge to develop innovations. Important principles in a knowledge society
are networking among knowledge producers, effectiveness in applying, controlling,
and evaluating and learning” (Goete, 2015). A knowledge society is taken for a
knowledge economy based on science and technology as well as on the business,
legal, financial environment required for its growth and sustainability (IGIGlobal,
2020).
By
the definition of knowledge society, higher education institutions are
catalysts for political, economic, social, technological, and environmental
change since their main mission is to consume and produce knowledge and skills.
In doing so, they serve as the engines for political development, economic
growth and social transformation, among other things. However, knowledge
society is emerging, and it still must take shape, to develop institutions, to
articulate a shared vision of itself and of its relations to others. It can only fully emerge if we are able to
develop the knowledge and competence it needs in order to take shape.
We
have learned society cannot be separated from the knowledge individuals produce
on its history and future, its organization, and institutions. The different
realms of knowledge are thoroughly interconnected through social relations and
practices. Whether in the field of modern education, of development, or of
environmental protection, different actors with their differing knowledge
reservoirs come together, even if in unequal social positions, and try to put
their knowledge to use. The kind of
knowledge people consider essential is available to some while many lack accesses
to the knowledge and credentials they are aspiring for. We need to pay more
attention to the co-production of knowledge and give more value to knowledge
reservoirs that are not academic and that appear ‘non-modern’.
Knowledge catalyzes
the reopening of societies beyond its vision of economic sector. By
transforming the way individuals think, interact, communicate, by transforming
their bodies and managing their health, the R&D sector reshapes not only
its relations to the other spheres of society, but it also transforms these
spheres themselves. This means that the divide between knowledge regions and
other parts of our countries, other parts of the world, is growing fast. This
evolution can also generate dangerous counter-effects. The new knowledge
society would be a society that values and acknowledges the impactful role and
contribution of knowledge in pursuit of socio-economic development. The digital
divide is far less important than the knowledge divide fracturing our world.
People might access the Internet in the most remote places: it does not mean
they will have the knowledge to participate in return to the global process of
knowledge production and distribution. Technology is never enough even it is
always part of the solution. If people are empowered and aware about their
rights, they can help make their own government system work more efficiently
and accountably.
Civil Society – agent of transformation
The
term ‘civil society’ became popular in political and economic discussions
during 1980s, when non-state movements were challenging authoritarian regimes.
UN defines civil society organizations as entities that are non-state, not-for-profit
and voluntary entities formed by people in the social sphere and are separate
from the state and the market[1].
For John Keane (1998), “civil society is an “ensemble of legally protected
non-governmental institutions that tend to be non-violent, self-organizing,
self-reflexive, and permanently in tension with each other and with the state
institutions that ‘frame’, constrict and enable their activities.” Taken
together, CSOs express the capacity of society for self-organization and the
potential for peaceful, though often contested, settlement of diverse private
and public interests. Located between government or the state and the market,
it is an arena of self-organization of citizens and established interests
seeking voice and influence (Anheier,
John, and Knott 2020). CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society
organization, defines civil society as the arena, outside of the family, the
state, and the market where people associate to advance common interests.
Today, civil society is “recognized as a diverse and ever-wider ecosystem of
individuals, communities and organizations” (CIVICUS, 2006). Located between government or the state and
the market, it is an arena of self-organization of citizens and established
interests seeking voice and influence.
When you look at the numbers, the growth of
civil society has been remarkable. Civil society occupies an important position
in the development dialogue as it provides opportunities to bring communities
together for collection action, mobilizing society to articulate demands and
voice concerns at local, national, regional, and international levels. CSOs have influenced inclusive and
accountable development, transforming communities, landscapes, and
institutions.
The roles of CSOs have become more complex,
especially in the context of changing relationships with nation states and the
international community. However, it is widely accepted that CSOs play a
significant role in a nation’s development by complimenting activities of
governmental organizations. Strong civil society makes the state accountable,
whereas a democratic and accountable state ensures its citizens enjoy freedoms
of speech, assembly, and association. But the nature of civil society - what it
is and what it does - is evolving, in response to both technological
developments and more nuanced changes within societies. The independent,
voluntary and pluralistic organization of civil society is indispensable in
maintaining and building a democratic society. There is a wide range of
functional domains where CSOs play a constructive role and make meaningful
contribution towards the progress and development of society. The structure,
number and function of CSOs have been through significant changes in past decades.
Currently CSOs are one of the major providers of basic services, influential
advocates and knowledgeable advisors in the realm of public policy. CSOs have a
wide area of functions in the present context going from its basic role as
service providers, to watchdog of the state and establishing meaningful
partnerships with the state. Civil Society has a capacity to build a movement
by organizing people in the communities to create an utmost change. For this,
there is a need of vision and process, which then continues, for magic to
happen especially when people get conscious of their role as well as have their
freedom to be creative and build a better and sustainable peace.
Globally, civil societies primarily are
contributing in societal transformation as i) service provider, ii) advocate
and campaigner, iii) watchdog, iv) building active citizenship, v)
participating in global governance process, and vi) by creating, interpreting
and disseminating the knowledge. However, during current times, when learning
and innovation are less and less bound to universities and educational
institutions, the role of CSOs for creating, interpreting and disseminating the
knowledge has become historically crucial and important. Connecting civil
society with knowledge to play role of knowledge society to further elaborate,
comprehend and contextualize through wider-discourse, and initiatives, civil
society can play following three roles:
-
Creating knowledge:
civil society can play crucial roles for research and educational landscapes
through financial assistance. Apart from financial assistance, civil society
itself can act as a generator of knowledge and innovation through their
engagement and partnerships with wider communities at grass-roots, policy
makers, research institutions and universities
-
Proving platforms of discourse:
civil society organizations can offer the platforms for societal debates and
discourse on how people are perceiving and interpreting the knowledge and
social developments
-
Fostering regional change: civic
organizations, foundations, associations as well as local institutions are in
many ways involved in the development and shaping of their local environment.
Collectively, grassroots activities and organizations together with global
movements can foster the regional cooperation in exchange of knowledge and
information
Moreover, looking at
the kind of knowledge-divide and persisting inequalities contributed knowledge,
civil society has the pertinent role of building knowledge society by serving
themselves as a platform of knowledge and technology hub to marginalized,
excluded and oppressed communities to acquire and build their
knowledge-capital.
Civil society like an
iceberg, with the peaks of protest rising above the waterline and the great
mass of everyday citizen action hidden underneath. When the two are connected -
when street protests are backed up by long-term action in every community,
bank, business, local government, church or mosque, temporary gains in equality
and diversity have more chance of becoming permanent shifts in power and public
norms.
Civil Society – in Nepalese context
Nepal has had a long tradition of civil
society. Theoretically, if the word ‘civil’ implies tolerance and accommodation
of pluralism and diversity, then one can find those values in the Vedic society
(Bhatta, 2016). The official registration of the civil societies as
Non-Government Organizations started form Registration of Associations
Act—Sangh Samstha Ain (amended in 1991). The emergence and development of CSOs
in Nepal, particularly in the form of NGOs and interest-based networks,
increased after the democratic movement in 1990. Nepal’s civil society evolved
into a vibrant movement for defending democracy and human rights (Bhatta, 2016).
The collective and collaborative action of various forms and types of CSOs have
been a vibrant vehicle for social transformation in Nepal, facilitating the
democratization of society, rule of law, governance, and delivery of services
to poor and marginalized groups.
In the Nepalese
context, CSOs includes a large number of organizations such as voluntary
organizations, consumer groups, advocacy groups, human rights organizations,
peace movements, and religious organizations. The mobilization of these NGOs,
networks, federations created a common platform for promoting and extending
democracy and justice. This collective and collaborative action was a major
reason for the success of the movement (Upreti, 2011). CSOs emerged as a
key influencer in instilling democratic values in the society, strengthening
good governance practices, and becoming a voice for Nepal’s poor and
marginalized groups. As democracy advances in Nepal, the roles of CSOs are
becoming increasingly important to provide unbiased oversight.
Representing more
than 50,000 officially registered NGOs and 245 international NGOs, civil
society in has strong partnership with grass-roots communities. Due to their
active engagement and facilitation of various development activities, they have
practical knowledge on local situation, cultural practices, and local issues,
and do have ability to recommend appropriate interventions models. However,
there are handful of NGOs that are working in knowledge sectors like
action-research, practical education, and transformative technology leading to
build the knowledge-capital of the societies living at margins.
For this, civil
society need to build partnership with communities for three-fold role as
knowledge society. Firstly, CSOs need to develop critical consciousness and
analytical thinking among the marginalized, and socially excluded communities
by focusing on their education, developing their leadership skills,
enhancing their ability to take part in research to explore facts &
figures, and generate the knowledge leading to the evidence-based policy
advocacy. The community participation during policy advocacy should not be
limited to crowd gatherings to show the numbers in rallies and campaigns.
Secondly, civil society need to focus on development of technical and vocation
skills connected to modern days ICTs to minimize the digital-divide and
increase marginalized communities’ access to better employment and higher
income opportunities. Transforming these highly qualified human resources into
knowledge entrepreneurs, the probability of either self-employment and or
creating employment for others increases drastically. There are several
programme run by the government together with private sector, however, their
level of impact, efficiency and effectiveness addressing drivers of inequality
is still under question because of poor targeting. And most importantly, the third, by
establishing partnerships with universities, research institutions, and private
sectors in co-production of knowledge-capital through joint researches,
experiments, and innovations that are suitable for the rapid yet sustainable
and just socio-economic development of Nepal.
As rightly concluded
by Edwards, “That may sound like too little, too late, or simply take too long,
or be too much work in an era when instant gratification is demanded. But it
will be worth it. After all, it was an iceberg that sank the Titanic.”
Afterall, this is also a political choice.
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