Civil Society in a Heterogeneous Milieu: A Case-Study of Karachi in Historical Perspective

Abstract

Heterogeneity is the hall mark of Pakistan in general but its largest city Karachi in particular. Around twenty million Karachiites are profusely divided on linguistic, religious and class bases. On the other hand Karachi is also known to host a large number and variety of civil society organizations since the pre-independence period. This fact prompts the researcher to seek a theoretical relationship between the existence of heterogeneity and the size and scope of civil society
in a particular region taking into consideration the case of Karachi. This is the major purpose of present paper. In this context, the basic conceptual framework is
premised on the Heterogeneity Theory as developed by Lester M. Salamon and Helmut K. Anheier for the Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector
Project (JHCNP) in 1996. Adapted from the classical economic theory (Weisbrod 1977) the Heterogeneity Theory tends to reconcile the existence and role of civil society with the state and the business sectors within a heterogeneous society. The paper particularly focuses on the question whether and to what extent the existing heterogeneity has influenced the prospects for civil society in Karachi. For the sake of clarity the paper is organized into three major sections: the first establishes the conceptual framework highlighting the definitional and theoretical perspectives of the topic; the second explores the extent of heterogeneity in Karachi while the third section investigates the influence of heterogeneity on the development and growth of civil society in the mega-city. The paper mainly
adopts a qualitative and explorative methodology and is completed after a broad survey of available data and interviews with the relevant government
officials, scholars and civil society personnel.