NGOs, CIVIC EDUCATION AND THE NURTURING OF DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL ORDER:

EVIDENCE FROM ZAMBIA

Abstract

In the post-Cold War World Order, democracy has emerged as a political system sans frontières. In this milieu, NGOs have, in turn, emerged as the mid-wives of transition politics, promoting the political change of countries from authoritarian rule to various forms of democratic governance. This article uses secondary data to document the civic education programmes, campaigns and activities that three indigenous Zambian NGOs have undertaken in support of democratisation in Zambia. The evidence collected seems to indicate that the three NGOs are, indeed, not NGO-pretenders but rather genuine vehicles for nurturing democracy and good governance in the country.