Democratic Firewall or Autocratic Enabler? Civil Society and Autocratization in Southeast Asia Mainstream theories of democracy suggest that an active civil society is crucial for a successful transition to democracy and its long-term stability. However, democratic backsliding has occurred even in countries where democratization was an outcome of civil society-led movements, such as Indonesia and the Philippines in Southeast Asia. This research employs a combination of qualitative methods to historically trace and compare the organizational trajectories and democratic imaginaries of four civil society groups in both countries. By doing so, it seeks to identify the conditions that prevent civil society from effectively defending democracy when the system comes under threat.