NGOs and Transnational Networks: Wild Cards in World Politics - Hardcover

DeMars, William E.

9780745319063: NGOs and Transnational Networks: Wild Cards in World Politics

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0745319068 ISBN 13: 9780745319063

Publisher: Pluto Press, 2005

Non-Governmental Organisations and their networks are proliferating in all regions of the world. They address every transnational issue from population to peace, human rights to species rights, genocide to AIDS. Supporters claim NGOs are effective in achieving their goals, while detractors counter that NGO power is paltry compared to governments and corporations.

Challenging both views, DeMars irreverently reveals the political claims implicit in every transnational NGO. They are best conceptualised, he argues, not in terms of either principles or power, but through the partners they make in transnational society and politics. NGOs and transnational networks institutionalise conflict as much as cooperation, and reshape states and societies, often inadvertently. NGOs have overthrown dictators, provided life support for collapsed states, and reengineered the family. Their historical origins contrast sharply with current realities, and show signs of radical change in the future.

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Synopsis:

Study of the history and politics of non-governmental organisations NGOs are fast taking over the world of development so there is an increasing need to analyse their effect Discusses how and why the actions of NGOs are often very different from their claimed intentions A valuable new text for students of development studies and other social sciences Non-Governmental Organisations and their networks are proliferating in all regions of the world. They address every transnational issue from population to peace, human rights to species rights, genocide to AIDS. Supporters claim NGOs are effective in achieving their goals, while detractors counter that NGO power is paltry compared to governments and corporations. Challenging both views, DeMars irreverently reveals the political claims implicit in every transnational NGO. They are best conceptualised, he argues, not in terms of either principles or power, but through the partners they make in transnational society and politics. NGOs and transnational networks institutionalise conflict as much as cooperation, and reshape states and societies, often inadvertently.

NGOs have overthrown dictators, provided life support for collapsed states, and reengineered the family. Their historical origins contrast sharply with current realities, and show signs of radical change in the future. Introduction 1 Your NGO Starter Kit 2 Partners in Conflict: A Structural Theory of NGOs 3 Ironic Origins of Transnational Organising 4 NGOs vs. Dictators: Argentina's Dirty War Revisited 5 Dancing in the Dark: NGOs and States in Former Yugoslavia 6 Engineering Fertility 7 Changing Partners, Shaping Progress: The Future of NGOs Appendix A: Active NGOs Discussed in This Book Selected Bibliography Index

About the Author:

William DeMars is chairman of the Department of Government at Wofford College in South Carolina. Previously he has taught International Relations at the University of Notre Dame and the American University in Cairo, Egypt. He has observed NGOs operating in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central America and East Asia. His publications have addressed humanitarian politics, the changing face of war in Africa and intelligence issues.

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