the role of civil society actors in Kosovo: addressing conflict and their position process state building

In both academic and practical political discourse, civil society is regarded as an essential element of stable democratic systems, but also as indispensable to the process of democratisation. Building on this, in established democracies the role of civil society is seen primarily in the creation of a political public sphere and the promotion of deliberative politics (public discourse, public consultation, citizens' participation in public communication, and the interplay between deliberation and the decision-making process). An active civil society is regarded as a 'watchdog' of democracy, acting as a safeguard against tendencies towards re-authoritarianism. The case study examines the potential and weaknesses of civil society actors before and after the war in addressing the Kosovo conflict. Part of external democracy promotion is geared towards this function, focusing in particular on strengthening the mobilisation, coordination and organisational capacities of civil society actors.