THE POWER OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY

This paper examines the issue of transnational NGOs’ power with a view to identifying the limits of ongoing debates and critiquing some of the assumptions underpinning them. There is an overview of aspects of the non-governmental sector which have become more influential in recent years and how recent changes in the global distribution of power are challenging the understandings of legitimacy in international relations. Building on this, then focuses on the issue of transnational NGOs’ positions in global order. Two core focuses are identified – governments and private corporations.