VECTORS FOR CHANGE? - The role of civil society in curbing corruption in a post-socialist and post-conflict setting –The case of Kosovo

Abstract

This thesis analyses the role of civil society in attempting to curb corruption in a post-socialist and post-conflict setting. The aforementioned settings have previously been studied separately, leaving out the context of societies experiencing a double transition both from socialism and conflict. By conducting a field study in Kosovo, the double transition is studied by collecting primary data from 11 semi-structured interviews with members from both civil society and actors working with civil society. The thesis is explorative and aims to contribute to theory development where Kosovo is considered a typical case. The theoretical framework is composed of previous studies’ expectations and new insights from the material, shaping the analytical scheme. Five analytical themes are used to explore the mechanisms of civil society’s work: understanding corruption, influence in curbing corruption, challenges when curbing corruption, cooperation, and influence of the post-socialist and post-conflict setting. The findings demonstrate that civil society is quite free in its possibilities to curb corruption because the Kosovo government does not constrain them in this regard. Civil society can, however, be influenced by the agenda of international donors and is at risk of being politicized. Nevertheless, civil society faces its main challenges on the ground level, which can limit their role in conducting effective work against corruption. One of the most interesting findings demonstrates that civil society in Kosovo might be freer than in other countries in the Western Balkans.