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Advocacy in authoritarian contexts: the case of disability NGOs in Russia
Purpose – The growing trend towards closing the political space for civil society in authoritarian regimes has
primarily targeted NGOs focused on rights-based advocacy. Drawing on a study of disability NGOs in Russia,
this paper seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the advocacy options that nonprofit organizations
have even in repressive political contexts. The authors first review the extant literature to identify common
actors, types and tactics and then trace what types of advocacy Russian NGOs are engaged in and what tactics
they are able to utilize.
Design/methodology/approach – The empirical part of this paper is based on 20 interviews conducted
among active participants in disability NGOs in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Perm and Nizhniy Novgorod. Despite
not being a representative sample of organizations, the selection of cities and organizations was intended to
reflect spatial and structural factors of the field.
Findings – The authors find that NGOs are able to pursue a broad range of advocacy activities despite a
generally restrictive legal environment for civil society.
Research limitations/implications – Research on advocacy in authoritarian countries is often focused on
NGOs that are primarily engaged in these activities. This has overshadowed the considerable leeway that
nonprofit service providers have to engage in advocacy.
Practical implications – Service-providing NGOs should not forsake advocacy activities, even in
authoritarian contexts, but can find access points in the political system and should seek to utilize their voice on
behalf of their clients.
Social implications – Despite general restrictions, NGOs can still find ways to successfully secure social
rights, justice and solidarity, provided they accept the supremacy of the state in social policy and appeal to the
state’s responsibility for the welfare of its citizens without directly questioning the overall status quo too
heavily.
Originality/value – We develop a broad framework for various advocacy forms and activities and apply it to
nonprofit service providers.