Civil society organizations and the politics of nuclear energy in Southeast Asia: Exploring processes of engagement

• Main Authors: Anthony, Mely Caballero, Alexandra, Lina, Punzalan, Kevin D.G.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2012
• Subjects: Civil society > Southeast Asia; Energy security > Southeast Asia; Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/4480
• Institution: De La Salle University

The role of non-state actors in Asia has become more significant with the emergence of a number of civil society organizations (CSOs) that are actively engaging in state and regional processes in defining and crafting policies. Within the context of national and regional advocacy for or against issues that have direct implications on human security, CSOs have become important actors because their participation affects multi-level responses to often-complex development and security challenges. Toward the broader objective of improving the welfare and well-being of societies, enhancing accountability and policy effectiveness, CSO participation is deemed to be a key component in instituting a sense of multi-level governance on critical human security challenges. Among the many human security challenges facing Asia today is the issue of energy security. Given that contemporary energy security no longer concerns only the security dimensions of supply, access and affordability, but has expanded to now include other non-traditional security issues such as environmental impact, sustainable development and socioeconomic concerns, addressing these multi-faceted challenges compels the engagement of multiple stakeholders. With the variety of interests at stake in the pursuit of energy security, it becomes even more important for political spaces to be opened to enable different societal actors to be a part of policy processes that are critical for the effective governance of such an important issue. It is in the opening up of spaces for engagement where the role of civil society is best appreciated. CSOs have been widely recognized as an essential ‘third’ pillar to complement states and markets in improving governance, particularly in the pursuit of human security. The very concept of civil society carries with it the normative aspect that subscribes to the principle that it is accessible to all citizens. Its broad definition as an arena of free engagement, deliberation, discussion and dialogue, mandates its democratic character, not only because it has the potential to ensure [political] accountability, but also because it is a genuinely participatory sphere, open to all. There is also the element of building social capital. According to Robert Putnam: Civil associations contribute to the effectiveness and stability of democratic governments . . . because of their ‘internal’ effects on individuals and because of their ‘external’ effects on the wider polity. Internally, associations instill in their members habits of cooperation, solidarity and public spiritedness . . . Participation in civil organizations inculcates skills of cooperation as well as a sense of shared responsibility for the collective endeavours.