Perspectives on International Relations: Power, Institutions, and Ideas: 2nd Edition: By Henry R. Nau, George Washington University

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Global Civil Society

Study

In addition to nation-states, there are numerous other actors in the international system. Specifically, private actors, or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), of which national governments are members, affect the way states behave and interact. NGOs can be classified into three types: the broad category of transnational nongovernmental organizations, economic nongovernmental organizations (aka multinational corporations, MNCs), and environmental organizations. IGOs and NGOs have played a role in the evolution of human rights in international relations.

Study Questions

  1. What concerns do the four perspectives have regarding economic NGOs or MNCs?


  2. Why would some states choose to not join or sign on to international human rights treaties?


  3. How do different forms of domestic governments treat NGOs?


  4. What are civil rights?