Civil society organizations in failing states: the Red Cross in Bosnia and Albania

Civil society building has become a central element of democratization programmes in regions under international administration such as Bosnia and in other countries affected by civil strife. This article explores the preconditions of civil society building, notably the preconditions for the functioning of state institutions and for a stable social order. It argues that state failure and social anomie may constitute major obstacles to civil society building in so far as they restrict the public space in which citizens may organize the common good in a universal and democratic manner.