NON-STATE ACTORS IN WORLD POLITICS

The goal of the course is to provide students with an overview of international relations theory as it pertains to the study of non-state actors, such as international organizations, transnational corporations, NGOs, transnational advocacy networks, and terrorist networks, as well as a working knowledge of some of the major issue areas surrounding the topic. By the end of the course, students should be able to summarize and critique the relevant academic literature and engage in policy debates about the role of non-state actors in multiple substantive issue areas.

Requirements Attendance, discussion, and course readings are all essential parts of your success in the course. This course will be conducted in a seminar format, with students taking responsibility for leading much of the discussion. Each student will be charged with helping to facilitate the class discussion (beginning with a short 5-10 minute presentation)

Final Paper: 3) The final paper is on a course-related topic of your choice, subject to my approval. Papers should be 8-10 pages in length, not including the bibliography. You are encouraged to consult with me about your topic. 4)2 written tests

Finally, please familiarize yourself with the University’s policy on cheating, plagiarism, and documentation. It is your responsibility to understand and abide by this policy. If you do not understand what constitutes cheating or plagiarism, or are uncertain about whether something qualifies as cheating or plagiarism, please ask.

Required Texts David Lake, Hierarchy in International Relations, 2009, Cornell University Press. Deborah Avant, Martha Finnemore, and Susan Sell. Who Governs the Globe, 2010, Cambridge University Press. Rodney Bruce Hall and Thomas Bierstekr, The Emergence of Private Authority in Global Governance.

The first part of the course evaluates the history, definition, emergence, and distinctions between different non-state actors, as well as the theoretical literature on understanding transnational activism and private authority. It will also address the normative issues that have emerged from the growth of non-state actors in international politics. The second part of the course evaluates specifics of non-state actors in world politics, including their authority, power, and influence on politics or policies. The third part of the course surveys the different actors and groups we consider key non-state actors in world politics. The fourth part of the course reviews the role non-state actors have had in various issue and policy areas, such as environmental politics, human rights, development, and standards.

Non-State Actors: Distinguishing NSAs from IGOs and states two kind of actors in the world of International Relations which are states and nonstate actors.

Theoretical perspectives of international politics provide answers to these basic questions: Who are the main actors in international politics? Why do actors do what they do in international politics? What are the underlying factors that govern relationships in global politics? How have international relations changed or stayed the same over the centuries? What accounts for conflict and cooperation in international politics? Each of the theoretical perspectives presented here provides different answers to these questions. Each perspective is based on different assumptions about humans, governments, and international politics.

Theories of IR and NSAs Realism: primarily interested in the role of violent non-state actors (the ‘bad’) As threats to national security Institutionalism: primarily interested in the role of for-profit non-state actors (MNCs, the ‘ugly’) As agents of interdependence and demand for cooperation among states Constructivism: primarily interested in the role not-for-profit organizations (NGOs, the ‘good’) As agents building transnational relations across societies in order to promote universal values (human rights, environmental protection, etc.)

Such entities as international organizations, whose members can be entities different from states, may be classified as nonstate or not depending on the election. By contrast, nonstate actors have been examined from different disciplines, which acknowledge their relevance and attach importance to the international and transnational dimensions of nonstate conduct given their power or impact.

Defining NSAs Some of studies have sought to define nonstate actors. However, given the diverging goals and substrata of different studies, definitions often differ widely among them.  Clapham 2009 examines this problem of the notion of nonstate actors from a legal perspective, acknowledging that all entities different from states are nonstate in nature and that yet some narrower definitions exist, with more limited scopes. Additionally, it examines legitimacy and accountability concerns related to nonstate conduct.

Del Arenal 2002 examines the phenomenon of increased nonstate power and relevance in international society in a changing landscape; and McDougal 1955 highlights the importance of studying nonstate actors, given their participation in power processes.  Schachter 1997 examines the changing role and relevant actions of nonstate actors and their interaction with international law in a global context;  Halliday 2001 studies nonstate dynamics, their relevance throughout history, and the importance of regulations of nonstate conduct. 

 Non-state actors are individuals or organizations that have powerful economic, political or social power and are able to influence at a national and sometimes international level but do not belong to or allied themselves to any particular country or state. an organized political actor not directly connected to the state but pursing aims that affect vital state interests

Types of Non-state Actors Sub-state Actors (domestic actors ) They are politically assembled to influence policies through interest groups, lobbying, donating to political candidates or parties, swaying public opinion on certain issues, and other means. (Multinational corporations (MNCs) Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) (two main types of IGOs, the global IGOs and the regional IGOs) NGO (religious movement) Terrorists or rather political groups (International Criminal Groups )

Why do states form IGOs and work through them? (Interest, problem, platform for discussion)

The types of MNCs Private businesses headquartered in one state that invest and operate extensively in other states. Industrial corporations Financial corporations

Who, what, why, and how? Realism Institutionalism Constructivism What is the organizing principle? Who are the main actors? What are their main goals? What are the core capabilities?