ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the linkages between civil society, social justice, and marginalisation. It discusses the 'China development miracle' to the people and places that have become marginalised rather than emancipated as a consequence of China's modernisation drive. Non-governmental organisations (NGO) and other civil society organisations are commonly seen as agents of social justice. The chapter begins with a theoretical discussion of the meaning of marginalisation and the way in which it has been interpreted in Western intellectual history. It interprets marginalisation as a process of social exclusion from the dominant socio-economic, cultural, and political structures which when combined with constraints on self-development prevent individuals, groups, and communities from fully participating in social life. The chapter discusses the two NGOs that do more than simply plead their causes; they are able to actively demonstrate how alternative and more sustainable paths to development can be taken.
