Documents Vonk, Johan 1 results

"This article examines the role played by civil society in the governance of the social sector. In particular it addresses the question of how the emergence of the 'social market model' affects the role that civil society organisations play in the governance of social services. The challenge of social markets is to introduce free choice and competition, without endangering the social values and objectives of the organisations involved. A strong involvement of civil society in the organisations is helpful for this purpose. However, as will be demonstrated by the case studies underlying this article, the emergence of social markets implies a change in civil society involvement: from direct involvement in the provision of social services, to indirect watchdog involvement. The nature of the civil society groups themselves has also changed. The new watchdog organisations are not vested in religion or ideology, but rather single-issue client organisations. In this article we argue that there is nothing wrong or contradictory in the government actively stimulating the involvement of such client organisations in the governance structure of the social sector. Therefore it should adopt new legislative standards giving client representation groups a formal status in the legal structure of 'social enterprises'"