Doctoral Dissertation Research: Democratizing Civil Society: Participation, Local Politics, and Community-Based Organizations in Tanzania

本论文的研究调查的活动，机会，成就，局限性和影响的一种特定类型的第三部门组织在坦桑尼亚达累斯萨拉姆的地方一级运作：以社区为基础的组织（CBO）。 而第三部门包括各种各样的组织-即，那些既不属于国家，也不属于商业部门的组织--在不同的层次上运作，追求不同的目标，CBO一词特指由个人组成的团体，其目的是改善地理上有边界的地区的条件，如街道、街区或村庄。 该项目的重点是社区组织作为一种手段，探讨围绕发展，民主化和参与的概念的理论问题。 研究分两个阶段进行：第一阶段涉及对两个社区组织的深入分析。 在研究方法上，研究者采用开放式结构化访谈、参与式观察和文本分析来收集数据并探讨文献中的争论。 该项目的第二阶段需要从在达累斯萨拉姆运作的所有社区组织收集原始数据。 这包括分布在该市三个市的大约100个组织。 研究者将使用结构化访谈、文本分析和统计分析。 在研究的两个阶段以及从这种方法的结合中获得的知识将使研究人员能够解决有关参与第三部门组织的潜力的更广泛的辩论，以促进可持续发展和民主社会关系。 这项研究以三种不同的方式对社会科学文献做出了贡献。 第一，它探讨了发展研究的核心问题，人们越来越注意参与第三部门组织，因为人们认为发展中国家的公共部门业绩不佳，人们希望找到更有效和更高效的组织形式来提供货物和服务。 第二，该项目增进了我们对民主化进程的理解。也就是说，对在地方一级运作的第三部门组织的分析将阐明它们有能力扩大和加强民间社会，增加民众参与的机会，并挑战国家的垄断倾向和不良表现。 第三，研究表明了将微观现象作为理解宏观层面变革的一种手段的方法和重要性。 这项研究将产生更广泛的影响，超出其对社会科学文献的贡献。 具体而言，调查结果和结论应特别引起那些决定正在经历重大经济和政治变革的国家的发展和民主化进程的人的兴趣：多边发展机构的专业人员、顾问、政府官员和学者。 通过促进知情的政策辩论，研究将帮助那些努力建设第三部门组织的能力并为其活动创造有利环境的人。

This dissertation research investigates the activities, opportunities, achievements, limitations, and implications of a particular type of third sector organization operating at the local level in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: the community-based organization (CBO). Whereas the third sector comprises a wide range of organizations - i.e., those which are neither part of the state nor part of the business sector - operating at different levels and pursuing various goals, the term CBO refers specifically to groups formed by individuals for the purpose of improving the conditions of a geographically bounded area, such as a street, neighborhood, or village. The project focuses on CBOs as a means to explore theoretical issues that revolve around development, democratization, and the concept of participation. The research is proceeding in two phases: Phase one involves the in-depth analysis of two CBOs. Methodologically, the researcher is using open-ended and structured interviews, participant observation, and textual analysis to gather data and probe the debates in the literature. Phase two of the project entails the collection of primary data from all CBOs operating in Dar es Salaam. This consists of approximately one hundred organizations spread across the city's three municipalities. The researcher will utilize structured interviews, textual analysis, and statistical analysis. The knowledge gained during both phases of the research and from this combination of methods will allow the researcher to address the broader debate concerning the potential of participation in third sector organizations to contribute to sustainable development and democratic social relations. The research contributes to the social science literature in three distinct ways. First, it explores issues that are central to development studies, where increased attention to participation in third sector organizations has arisen from the perceived poor performance of the public sector in developing countries and the desire to find more effective and efficient organizational forms for the delivery of goods and services. Second, the project advances our understanding of the process of democratization. That is, analysis of third sector organizations operating at the local level will illuminate their capacity to extend and strengthen civil society, increase opportunities for popular participation, and challenge the monopolistic tendencies and poor performance of the state. Third, the research demonstrates both the methods and the importance of looking at micro-level phenomena as a means to understand macro-level transformations. The research will have broader impacts beyond its contribution to the social science literature. Specifically, the findings and conclusions should be of particular interest to those who determine the course of development and democratization in countries undergoing significant economic and political change: professionals in multilateral development agencies, consultants, government officials, and academics. By contributing to an informed policy debate, the research will assist those who endeavor to build the capacities of third sector organizations and to create an enabling environment for their activities.