Policy Advocacy and NGOs Assisting Immigrants: Legitimacy, Accountability and the Perceived Attitude of the Majority
Open Access
- 15 February 2022
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Social Sciences
- Vol. 11 (2), 77
- https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11020077
Abstract
The article addresses the involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assisting immigrants in policy advocacy (PA) connecting the perspectives of political science and social work. In a context in which many politicians and a major part of society opposes immigration, it examines how NGOs perceive their legitimacy and accountability concerning their attempts to influence policymaking. It also studies how the attitude of the society towards these NGOs affects their work. The analysis builds on the multimethod research combining qualitative and quantitative approaches carried out among Czech NGOs. Among the key findings is that, when talking about legitimacy, NGOs’ representatives refer mainly to themselves and their own vision of society. This is however a manifestation of internalized external legitimacy sources such as democratic principles and existing laws, together with experience and direct contact with clients, as well as moral obligations. As for accountability, despite many people identify these NGOs as irresponsible welcomers, in fact most of them feel accountable primarily to society (in particular its weakest parts), then to immigrants and finally to themselves. The negative attitude of the majority toward these NGOs clearly affects their PA activities, e.g., their access to authorities, the raised topics and applied tools or types of arguments.Keywords
Funding Information
- Palacký University, Olomouc (IGA_CMTF_2019_010 and IGA_CMTF_2021_007)
This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit:
- Introduction to Special issue: ‘migration governance in an era of large movements: a multi-level approach’Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 2018
- Service-Providing Nonprofits Working in Coalition to Advocate for Policy ChangeNonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 2017
- Advocacy Activities of Nonprofit Human Service OrganizationsNonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 2013
- Political participation and civic engagement: Towards a new typologyHuman Affairs, 2012
- Organizational Resources and Environmental Incentives: Understanding the Policy Advocacy Involvement of Human Service NonprofitsSocial Service Review, 2010
- Politics, Policy, and the Motivations for Advocacy in Nonprofit Reproductive Health and Family Planning ProvidersNonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 2007
- Theorising accountability for NGO advocacyAccounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 2006
- Increased stakeholder dialogue and the internet: towards greater corporate accountability or reinforcing capitalist hegemony?Accounting, Organizations and Society, 2004
- Four Criteria of Development NGO LegitimacyWorld Development, 1999
- Managing Legitimacy: Strategic and Institutional ApproachesAcademy of Management Review, 1995