The Implications of Freedom

The term `NGO' is so widely used nowadays that it has effectively lost its meaning. Therefore, in order to put back flesh on what has become a very bare skeleton, this book attempts to portray a `real' organization that originated during the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. By meticulously studying this land sector NGO over a prolonged period of time, much is revealed about its internal dynamics and the changing relationships with actors in the state, civil society and the market. This embedded tale (re-)introduces a historical, political and socio-economic dimension in the analysis of NGOs and shows that they are not as value-driven, autonomous, accountable and non-profit as is often claimed.