In a Jam Russian Civil Society

An empirical study in six Russian cities shows that the question whether an active civil society exists is anachronistic. It exists and is slowly growing. Non-governmental organisations and initiatives are engaged in many areas. But in everyday life, they run up against numerous problems. Financing is precarious, co-operation with state agencies threatens their autonomy, and repression is always present. But the civil sector has also failed so far to develop a strategy to embrace the interests of social groups "from below", articulate them, and transform them into a durable stable social movement or even stable organisations.