The Influence of Transnational Non-Governmental Public Actors on Policy Processes and Policy Outcomes: Rethinking North-South Relations

Abstract

Transnational non-governmental public actors (NGPAs) represent a dynamic new force in the world of development policy, engaging with governments and international agencies across the North-South divide on issues of poverty, human development, human rights and human security. But current understandings of their activities place a major emphasis on their role as ‘normative’ ‘transnational advocacy networks’ (TANs) — activist groups that are defined by their pursuit of disinterested, principled ideas or values. According to Khagram, Riker and Sikkink (2002: 6) these kinds of groups, together with international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), are the ‘essential types or forms of transnational collective action or contentious politics’. They are characterised by the use of ‘soft power’ in global politics and their goals are primarily to change ‘agendas’ and norms (Keck and Sikkink 1998).