Abstract:

One of the actors contributing to democratic consolidation process is civil society. While democratic consolidation process is sustained by domestic dynamics, they can be promoted by the influence of foreign dynamics. In this paper, the case of the European Union as a foreign actor which contributes to civil society and democratic consolidation processes in member and candidate countries is analyzed. In order to research the contribution of civil society to democratic consolidation, four criteria are determined: Intra-organizational democracy and protection of democratic values, raising public consciousness, mediation between state and society, protection of the rights of underrepresented groups. Within the framework of these four criteria, it is researched how the European Union contributes to democratic consolidation processes through civil society, and it is argued which issues are neglected for what reasons by the Union

Keywords: