Why is the relationship of activism and government is shifting from thinking in terms of 'civil society partnership' to a resurgence of protest ?

The recent G20 protests in London, and in particular climate change activism, saw popular movements that were critically opposing government policy.The British government reacted with notable vigour to a series of what were essentially non-violent public actions and peaceful demonstrations over climate change.

According to Paul Rogers, it appears that a new generation committed to non-violent direct action is evolving the capacity and will to make its political masters respond to the global climate crisis. Government actions suggest this is recognised as a threat.

Over recent decades, the idea of 'state-civil society partnerships' was seen as a solution to increasingly complex problems that outstripped both the capacity and legitimacy of national governments to act. In consequnece civil society has grown accustomed to opportunities to influence government policy.

However, more recently, financial crises and an ever-present threat of violence from ill-defined terrorists, has undermined faith in government to manage economy and security in the interest of citizens. The news filling headlines at present may actually announce a change in the role of governments, for better and worse. In a globalised society facing complex environmental and political challenges, governments actually have diminishing ability to implement effective government. For policy makers that have increasingly relied on civil society to legitimise government actions, a non-compliant civil society may prove its undoing.

Government that relies on a compliant civil society sector to introduce and deliver reform may not be a new but an out-dated phenomena.