The article "Charity Speak and Business Talk: The On-Going (Re)hybridization of Civil Society" by Filip Wijkström explores the evolving landscape of Nordic civil societies, focusing on the shifts in organizational forms, practices, and ideologies:

• Introduction to Changes in Civil Society:
  • Nordic civil societies are undergoing significant transformations, moving from a dominance of popular movement organizations towards a more heterogeneous mix of organizational forms.
  • A resurgence of 19th-century charity traditions is noted, alongside a growing inclination towards business models and practices within civil society organizations (CSOs).
• Analytical Model of Society's Organization:
  • Proposes a model distinguishing four spheres (state, business, household, and civil society), each with distinct organizational logics.
  • Emphasizes the importance of understanding civil society organizations within their specific institutional habitats, driven by unique core logics.
• Historical Context and Modern Shifts:
  • The historical dominance of popular movement organizations in the Nordic region is challenged by a diversification of civil society actors and practices.
  • There's a noticeable shift from advocacy towards service provision, reflecting a broader range of civil society engagements and organizational forms.
• Hybridization of Civil Society:
  • The concept of hybrid organizations, especially within civil society, is gaining attention, highlighting entities that blend characteristics from different societal spheres.
  • This hybridization reflects the blending of traditional civil society values with business practices and logics.
• Volunteerism and Philanthropy:
  • An increase in volunteerism and philanthropic practices marks a departure from traditional membership-based engagement in Nordic CSOs.
  • This trend signifies a return to or reinvention of charity paradigms, now coupled with modern technologies and practices.
• From Voice to Service:
  • A transformation from advocacy ("voice") to service provision within civil society, indicating a change in the primary activities of CSOs.
  • This shift has led to the growth of new types of civil society actors, including social enterprises and cooperatives, that blend social missions with business models.
• Influence of Business Practices:
  • Nordic CSOs are increasingly adopting business practices and language, a trend termed as "business talk" or "management-speak."
  • This adoption reflects a broader global trend of marketization and commercialization within civil society.
• Re-hybridization of Civil Society:
  • The current changes suggest a re-hybridization process, where new forms of CSOs emerge, characterized by a blend of charity and business elements.
  • This new hybrid form is described as "half charity, half business," indicating a merger of philanthropic values with business efficiency and practices.