Beyond Silos: Complex Global Shocks and the New Challenges for Civil Society

Events since 2008 have crystallised a view that global economic shocks are more likely, more complex and more contagious than in the past. Public sector spending (including aid) has been shrinking since the economic crisis, while poverty and inequality have risen in both developed and developing countries. Yet the space for new understandings of how the world economy does – and should – work, remains empty, and emerging institutions of global governance are undemocratic and non‐participative. Drawing on debates taking place within civil society in the aftermath of the crisis, this article identifies the need to reimagine the way civil society works in this changed and challenging context: the challenges include moving beyond organisational ‘silos’ to address cross‐cutting issues at their source, to amplify the voice of those directly affected, influence a fairer policy response and fertilise debate about how the global economy should work, and for whom.