Civil Society in Albania as an Important Tool of Democracy: A Literature Review

Abstract

Albania has been the most isolated country of Eastern Europe during the communist era. Today is trying to close the successful process of democratization and integration in the European Union. One of the main prerequisites for achieving this goal is the strengthening of civil society. The development of civil society is one of the biggest challenges of the Albanian society of 10-year-old recently. Although the presence of civil society is a new experience, it is now accepted that partnership and the essential role it plays in the process of developing democracy and society education. A healthy civil society through its products guarantees a stable democracy. This is made possible by the role it plays in the development process. Standing between the individual, the state and the market, civil society mitigates negative trends, creates social capital, carries develops new values and traditions. NGOs, media and other non-state institutions are essential elements of democracy. My work analyzes and describes theoretical civil society as a new phenomenon in Albania. Democratization in our country has not been successfully because Civil Society has been weak; it does not serve as a real pressure over the policy and decision makers. This paper, also tries to provide a concise overview of the Civil Society in Albania and the culture of democracy. Civil Society is a very important element for human rights. We will conclude and found that Civil Society also determines the level of democracy in a country. A country has a consolidated and real democracy when it has a strength Civil Society that plays an important role as an “eye watching” over the political parties and especially the governance.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p430