Transnational Celebrity Activism Asteris Huliaras Asteris Huliaras Professor Professor Department of Politics and International Relations Department of Politics and International Relations University of the Peloponnese, Greece University of the Peloponnese, Greece

Research questions… The study of the role of individuals in international relations theory has been mostly restricted to official agents of political authority (presidents, prime ministers, UN secretaries etc). Is celebrity activism a distinct factor in international relations that merits attention ? Does it simply reflect these figures’ image- making strategies ? Does it represents little more than an ephemeral engagement with important issues ? Does it has any measurable impact on development and North/South relations ?

Is celebrity activism a new phenomenon ?: No !!! No !!! Think of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Lennon, George Harrison, Jane Fonda or even 19 th century celebrities like Lord Byron. Think of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Lennon, George Harrison, Jane Fonda or even 19 th century celebrities like Lord Byron. What’s new : 1. Scale (the numbers involved and the intensity of the phenomenon are unprecedented) 2. Content (celebrities tend to be less anti-establishment)

The Causes (1) Structure: Globalization Pull Factors 1. The United Nations (Goodwill ambassadors) 2. Non-Governmental Organisations

The Causes (2) Push Factors 1. Power (and the freedom to use it) 2. Publicity 3. Real Interest 4. Diffusion

Consequences Important in terms of public awareness (the power of soft news) Important in terms of public awareness (the power of soft news) Important in terms of fund-raising (hundreds of $ million) Important in terms of fund-raising (hundreds of $ million) Limited in terms of influencing public policies (mainly in agenda-setting) Limited in terms of influencing public policies (mainly in agenda-setting)

Criticisms Personal agenda Personal agenda Naïve – They do not understand the issues Naïve – They do not understand the issues They tend to be conservative They tend to be conservative Lack of legitimacy Lack of legitimacy The chasm between celebrities’ lifestyle and real life in Africa is shocking. The chasm between celebrities’ lifestyle and real life in Africa is shocking.

Mia Farrow

Conclusions Modern celebrity activism is different from the recent past both in scale and content Modern celebrity activism is different from the recent past both in scale and content Pull (UN and NGOs) and push (publicity, diffusion etc) factors explain the phenomenon Pull (UN and NGOs) and push (publicity, diffusion etc) factors explain the phenomenon Celebrities are very influential in increasing public awareness on development issues and in fund-raising for humanitarian purposes. Celebrities are very influential in increasing public awareness on development issues and in fund-raising for humanitarian purposes. They are far less effective in influencing policies. However, their political leverage is increasing spectacularly when they build coalitions and act within larger networks. They are far less effective in influencing policies. However, their political leverage is increasing spectacularly when they build coalitions and act within larger networks.