Transnational Social Movement Organizations

Abstract

The speed of international financial exchanges and the mobility of transnational corporations is a central feature of the current era, but it is far more than just capital which is crossing borders, and blurring, confusing and reconfiguring boundaries (Castells 1997). Ideas systems such as environmentalism, championed by social movements, complete with globally recognized symbols, are also moving across the globe. There may be some intrinsic characteristics of environmental movement organizations (EMOs), which allow them to range so freely across borders. They are unusually adept at playing transnational politics, and, as such, are a fruitful vehicle through which to view the mechanics and organics of transnational political spheres. Their unique characteristics may allow them access to transnational realms, which are more prohibitive to others. These qualities range from the essential properties of ecological issues, the ability of the ‘environment’ symbol to be constructed so diversely, to the forms of political fluidity, which the social movement form allows and encourages.