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Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, Vol. 11, No. 3, 2000

Book Review

Carrie A. Meyer,The Economics and Politics of NGOs in Latin America, Praeger,West Port, 1999, xix+ 196 pp.

As a consequence of diverse transition processes, Latin America is now verydifferent from what it was some decades ago. Democratic elections, open marketsand strong civil societies are the new characteristics of this region. These condi-tions, of course, allow for some advantages, but involve some risks. Old practices,ancien regimeadvocates, and inequality are some of the factors that may act againstthe consolidation of these new trends. On the other hand, both the State and themarket have shown to be insufficient to solve all the problems in each country.Consequently, scholars, politicians, and social leaders recognize the importanceof social organizations in the development of better public policies and in theimprovement of social and economic conditions of communities.

This new role of civil society is studied in Carrie A. Meyer’s excellent bookThe Economics and Politics of NGOs in Latin America, in which she expresses theneed of an organized civil society in Latin America, in search of more participationin public decisions and more effective and inclusive public policies.

The author recognizes that Latin American Non Governmental Organizations(NGOs) play a fundamental role in the balance between states, markets and civilsociety. She focuses on the double character of NGOs as political and economicentities and explains, with reference to some case studies, the growth in importanceand number of these organizations in the region. She stresses the fact that, at theend of twentieth century, NGOs are full participants in national and internationallife. Nonetheless, she notes the deep dependence of NGOs on government supportand private sector donors (whether foreign or national ones). In many countries,NGOs have become a good conduit for international funding; however, in somecases government distrust the good use of this money.

Meyer is aware of the possible risks of the greater importance of NGOs.She states that growth in the NGO sector has caused confusion, criticism, anddisappointment. Civil organizations may be a good chance for the developmentof entrepreneurship, and also for opportunism. In this sense, she thinks that thebalance is positive. Part of the reason for this success depends on the innovative

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elements of NGOs, like stronger partnerships with governments and internationaldonors or the intensive use, production, and dissemination of information. Theauthor believes that NGOs are able to develop human and social capital and providea flow of well-trained leaders for public and private sectors, as well as to contributeto dialogue among parties and to enforce a deep change in Latin American societies.

Meyer concludes that, as a result of the enormous change in past years,NGOs in Latin America are now part of the global community. Organized civilsociety’s interests and strategies are very similar to those of the developed countries.This statement is to a great extent true; however, she forgets the fact that despitethis close link with foreign values, Latin American NGOs are also very close to thedomestic needs and problems, and, of course, to the failures of public, private, orsocial organizations.

In any case it remains that with this book Carrie A. Meyer confirms herauthority on the subject and provides the reader with an excellent, well-documentedand innovative analysis of the third sector in Latin America.

Jose Luis MendezFederal Electoral Institute, Mexico