Ahmed, Shamima, and David M. Potter. NGOs in International Politics.
Friedman, Barry D.
Ahmed, Shamima, and David M. Potter. NGOs in International
Politics. Bloomfield, CT: Kumarian Press, Inc., 2006. 285 pages. Paper,
$24.95.
In the book's foreword, political scientists Shamima Ahmed and
David M. Potter promise "a comprehensive overview of the varieties
of interaction between NGOs [nongovernmental organizations] and states,
between NGOs and international organizations, [and] among NGOs in
international politics" (p. ix). They proceed to deliver an
interesting, readable survey of the history of NGOs, the evolution of
the missions and activities of those agencies, and the range of
NGOs' goals and impacts today.
The authors describe how NGOs in the nineteenth and early twentieth
centuries focused on efforts to mitigate and eradicate disease,
especially in impoverished societies, and on efforts to prevent or
alleviate the suffering associated with warfare. Christian missionary
roles (originating in the sixteenth century) expanded to encompass the
delivery of medical services and medications. On the secular side, the
Geneva-based International Red Cross fostered diplomatic proceedings
that developed guidelines to de-legitimatize warfare strategies that
obstructed the efforts of medical services to treat wounded soldiers and
civilians and that caused needless suffering for prisoners of war and
civilian populations--hence, the Geneva Conventions.
Since the 1970s, the modern theme of NGOs can be described, in
general terms, as the efforts of Northern-hemisphere activists to
improve the quality of Southern-hemisphere life. While NGOs have a long
history of providing disaster and famine relief, which they continue to
do, these organizations have undertaken new tasks which include
"roles centered around economic and social development; political
roles such as advocacy (including lobbying), agenda setting, and public
education; monitoring of international agreements; and, interacting with
intergovernmental organizations ... (p.37). These new functions have
elevated the nonprofit voluntary sector to a higher level of influence
in international politics.
The unmistakably political emphasis of the modern NGO has prominent
effects on international relations, the global economy, and the
operations of national governments. There are a number of noteworthy
aspects of this political machinery. NGOs, for example, expose the
neglect of the poorest populations. "In the parlance of current
scholarship, NGOs engage in naming, framing, blaming, and shaming"
(p. 37). This frustrates the desire of many national governments to
conceal the plight of their lowest socioeconomic classes. In addition,
NGOs actively advocate for disadvantaged populations and lobby
governments and international (government-sponsored) organizations
(IGOs, such as the United Nations). Furthermore, NGOs network, and,
through their information channels, disseminate data and commentary
about problems that they want resolved. In so doing, these organizations
pressure governments to live up to the commitments--concerning matters
of equity and justice--to which those governments have previously
committed themselves. They also engage in "public education and
consciousness raising." As Ahmed and Potter write, "NGO
mandates cover a broad spectrum and usually include outreach activities
to educate local, national, or international governments and
institutions. Indeed, NGOs' most important work may lie in the area
of political socialization" (p. 46).
The authors observe that "issues like human rights,
women's rights, and environmental protection that have dominated UN
meetings/platforms did so mostly because of the active role of
influential NGOs" (p. 82). Accordingly, national governments, IGOs,
and multinational corporations find that their freedom to maneuver as
they please may be constricted by the agitation of NGOs that spotlight
ruthless or insensitive policies and behaviors. In multiple contexts,
NGOs and their activities have become a noteworthy independent variable
in the determination of what governments do and how they do it.
Barry D. Friedman, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science
North Georgia College & State University
Dahlonega, Georgia
