The shrinking space of solidarity How does the Greek state govern its civil society organizations and what are the implications on civic space through the experiences of CSOs.

The shrinking space of solidarity : How does the Greek state govern its civil society organizations and what are the implications on civic space through the experiences of CSOs.

Leopoulou-Lia, Artemis

4. term

Global Refugee Studies, Master

2023

2023-10-16

39

This thesis examines how the Greek state governs civil society organizations (CSOs) and the implications of this governance for civic space, drawing on CSOs’ own experiences. Using securitization theory combined with framing theory, the study analyzes speech acts by officials and media that construct negative narratives about CSOs’ motives and activities, positioning them as potential threats. To capture on-the-ground impacts, the concept of “chilling effects” is applied to show how bureaucratic barriers, new legal frameworks, trials used as deterrence, and constraints on freedom of expression—including online harassment—shape CSOs’ operating environment. The research is based on document analysis (including press releases, public records, and reports) and semi-structured interviews to triangulate findings and build a comprehensive picture. The analysis indicates that the interplay of securitizing rhetoric, restrictive regulation, and social stigmatization produces chilling effects that narrow opportunities for participation, association, and expression within Greece’s civic space. The thesis contributes to wider scholarship on the limitation of civic space and its consequences.

Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan den græske stat styrer civile samfundsorganisationer (CSO’er), og hvilke konsekvenser denne styring har for det civiske rum ud fra organisationernes egne erfaringer. Med udgangspunkt i sikkerhedsgørelsesteori kombineret med framingteori analyseres myndigheders og mediers talehandlinger, der skaber en negativ fortælling om CSO’ers motiver og arbejde, og som kan fremstille dem som en trussel. For at belyse de faktiske effekter anvendes begrebet “chilling effects” til at forstå, hvordan bureaukratiske hindringer, ny lovgivning, retssager som afskrækkelsesmiddel samt begrænsninger i ytringsfriheden og online chikane påvirker CSO’ers handlemuligheder. Undersøgelsen bygger på dokumentanalyse (herunder pressemeddelelser, offentlige optegnelser og rapporter) samt semistrukturerede interviews for at triangulere fund og opnå et helhedsbillede. Resultaterne peger på, at kombinationen af sikkerhedsgørelse, restriktiv regulering og social stigmatisering skaber afkølende effekter, der indsnævrer deltagelse, forening og ytringsmuligheder i det græske civilsamfund. Afhandlingen bidrager dermed til den bredere forskning om indskrænkning af civilt rum og dens konsekvenser.

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