Episode Details

On the NGO-isation of the state.

[Patreon Exclusive]

Researchers and writers Matthew Thompson and Jonny Gordon-Farleigh join us to discuss their recent Damage article with George Hoare.

Civil society was once occupied by popular forces that could function as a bulwark against both capitalist marketization and state authoritarianism. Today, it has been colonized by the NGO, which, in turn, colonizes our hollowed-out politics. We ask:

• What are 'private NGOs', and what are quangos?

• How has 'projectification' taken over?

• What does the NGOisation of society mean? How does this kill public accountability?

• What are concrete examples of this process?

• What comes next? Any possibility for resurrecting things like Working Men’s Clubs? 

Links:

• Bodiless Bodies: The Rise of Para-Institutions, George, Matt & Jonny, Damage

• Reconstructing Public Housing: Liverpool’s hidden history of collective alternatives, Matthew Thompson

• The NGOization of the West, George Hoare, Café american