The so-called third sector in the Ecuadorian scenario of the "Citizen Revolution"

Abstract

Since the nineties, the number and the types of organization of Third Sector in Ecuador are increasing substantially, in the same way of Latin America. The public police of the current Government, whose speech prioritizes the social perspective, have been implemented through a very strict regulatory framework and, due to this, the activities of the NGO ' s (OSC) is facing a set of conditions and a series of restrictions. This new institutional rules, in fact, results in a significant reduction significant of their activities in the country. There is an apparent contradiction in this new dynamic: a Government that promises improve the citizenship and the social conditions of society and, at the same time, prevents the activities of organizations that, by nature, principles and design, could improve the participation and representation of society. This article explores, based on assumptions of CSO nature and secondary data, this contradiction in the so-called third sector in Ecuador. In addition, it aims to show that, at the same time the State recovers its regulatory role, it reduces the participation and action of civil society in social policies construction, every time that there is a vertical relationship between the State and organized civil society.