Syrian Sovereign Capacity:
Civil Society
A Phase IV assessment
In the chart below, 5 dimensions of Syria’s capacity to govern itself are shown, from left (“Distribution of Power”) to right (“International Reputation”). Taken together, the 5 dimensions of the x-axis offer a comprehensive, holistic view of Syria’s capacity to govern itself.
Civil Society is important because it reveals the capacity of the Syrian public to form local associations and act in response to threats and opportunities and exert pressure on their government. The stronger Syria's civil society, the greater the country's capacity to respond to existential threats.
The Question
Civil society includes: independent civic associations, unions, professional associations, charities, non-profits, lobbying organizations, advocacy organizations, and think tanks. These organizations can be secular or religious. They can include “public-private partnerships,” in which some government funding is combined with private donations. Which of these levels of development is most characteristic of this country?
The Levels
8. There are many civic associations and nonprofits that are active globally. (This was the highest level chosen.)
7. There are many civic associations and nonprofits that are active in a few other countries.
6. There are many civic associations, with freedom to operate and strong capacity
5. There are many independent civic associations, with freedom to operate, but weak capacity. Outside NGOs and funding are supplemental, not primary supports.
4. Civic associations exist, but outside NGOs and outside funding are essential supports.
3. Civic associations that threaten governmental or economic interests are mostly tolerated.
(2.6 was the average of the levels chosen.)
2. Civic associations that threaten governmental or economic interests are forbidden.
1. Civic associations are almost non-existent. (This was the lowest level chosen and the level most often chosen.)
25 prime actors participated in determining the ability of Syria to respond to existential threats based on its current civil society.
In the chart, higher levels indicate greater capacity within that dimension for Syrians to respond effectively to existential global threats, from Level 1 (very weak) to 8 (very strong).
- The highest rating: light green.
- The average rating: a triangle.
- The level identified most often: medium green, or, if the same as the highest or lowest, a cross.
- The lowest rating: dark green
Level 8: Participants made the following statements to support their assessment of Syrian Civil Society as best characterized as Level 8:
There are many civic associations and nonprofits that are active globally.
A Round 3 participant stated (Nov 2016 - July 2017):
"They are forming and improving, but they are still weak.” (232631)
A Round 2 participant stated (Aug 2016 - Oct 2016):
"There are charity organizations in the freed regions. The organizations in the government regions are controlled by the government. They exist to fund the government. Recently The Guardian posted an article regarding the scandal of misappropriated aid money." (222172)
Level 4: Participants made the following statements to support their assessment of Syrian Civil Society as best characterized as Level 4:
Civic associations exist, but outside NGOs and outside funding are essential supports.
Round 3 participants stated (Nov 2016 - July 2017):
“There are no self-sustaining models which exist. Civic associations do exist however. The ones outside the regime have a more rights based approach and a voice impacting the country. The ones in the regime held areas don't have that ability. They do as they are told.” (233911)
“Groups like the White Helmets do humanitarian work, but definitively get outside funding to operate. There are some that aren't necessarily legal.” (238631)
“There are quite a lot of opposition areas and the areas freed from ISIL.” (232272)
“There are a lot of Syrian NGOs. There are too many INGOs in Syria implementing programs. The INGOs get most of the funding because they have access to money and greater capacity to deliver impact.” (238341)
Level 2: Participants made the following statements to support their assessment of Syrian Civil Society as best characterized as Level 2:
Civic associations that threaten governmental or economic interests are forbidden.
Round 3 participants stated (Nov 2016 - July 2017):
“The society is built on fear.” (230713)
“There are a lot of civic groups doing fantastic work all over the country, but it's challenging to do that because of the degree of violence or repression where they work.” (233121)
“True for the whole country, including the Kurdish region. There is hardly any left, but what does exist is restricted or forbidden.” (231642)
“Government NGO's exist in the regime controlled areas. In opposition controlled areas there are over 800 civil society organizations since the war started. Some have very little capacity. Some have great resources. SAMS claims funding over $50 million annually.” (236592)
“There are civil society organizations in the opposition controlled areas.” (235931)
Round 2 participants stated (Aug 2016 - Oct 2016):
"Before the revolution the civil society was controlled by the Baath Party. It's why they (civil society) didn't have any influence. There are many groups of civil society in Syria. In government regions civic organizations are controlled by the regime. The Kurdish regions have had a growth in society. The government regions are very controlled." (223881)
"By government we mean Assad." (225662)
"Civic associations only exist as allies of the government and its intelligence agency." (229051)
Level 1: Participants made the following statements to support their assessment of Syrian Civil Society as best characterized as Level 1:
Civic associations are almost non-existent.
A Round 3 participant stated (Nov 2016 - July 2017):
“There were no civil society organizations before the revolution. The Baath Party controlled every aspect of society. There were attempts to start organizations. Founders were followed and arrested. After the revolution, the people began to support them because they needed them. Now there are a lot of associations, but they are facades for foreign governments and other interests. They are more business organizations for personal gain, or to fund Islamist groups. The Muslim Brotherhood backs and is supported by Al-Watan, for example. Even the United Nations organizations are corrupt. Some are honest and hard working.” (231641)
“Prior to the civil war civic associations threatening the government were forbidden. Rule of law and freedom of the press didn't exist. None of the standards of a legitimate government did.” (239311)
“The participant wonders what an elite mosque looks like. It never was a healthy civil society. It was always government controlled. The war has destroyed a lot of normal civil society ties. Refugees reports that getting a child out is the best they could do.” (239312)
Round 2 participants stated (Aug 2016 - Oct 2016):
"Civil associations are non-existent in Syria. The ones that exist are completely controlled by the Secret Police of the regime. Unions are controlled by the regime. There are over 900 organizations founded for and by Syrians outside the country. The Assad regime created civic associations, even in Turkey, that have humanitarian fronts, but are regime controlled." (221641)
"There is a lot of grassroots activity with rescuers and people trying to organize themselves in a society that used to be well educated. People are prepared to take on these roles." (222272)
A Round 1 participant stated (Aug 2016 - Oct 2016):
"Civic associations are almost non-existent." (2187522)