My study describes the conceptual dividing lines and differences between one of the most important actors in civil society, the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government-organized non-governmental organizations (GONGOs). Furthermore, it classifies the different types of GONGOs (professional, diffuse, “democratizing”, “lobby”). Following the classification, it becomes clear that to various degrees, the different types of GONGOs are excellent tools in the hands of governments to reshape the structure of the civil society which articulates critical views of the government.