Are NGOs Harbingers of Democratisation in Tanzania?

Current development thinking of donors regards civil society and non-governmental organizations as vehicles for democratization, while at the same time NGOs function mainly for channeling aid. How do actions and expectations meet?

Tiina Kukkamaa argues in this report that the current conception of civil society does not really correspond to the options NGOs have, especially in Africa. The report examines current discussions on the role of civil society in development and democratization, followed by an analysis of the relations Tanzanian NGOs have with donors and the state through practical examples and three detailed cases.