5.

Non-state actors

Module: Introduction to International Relations

Instructor: Le Ngoc Thao Nguyen (MA. Global Politics)
 CONTENTS

Part 01 Part 02 Part 03 Part 04

Definitions IGOs NGOs TNCs/ MNCs
 01
What are non-state actors?
01 Definition

According to Oxford Public International Law:

The term non-State actors is a superordinate concept that

encompasses all those actors in international relations
that are not State[s]. It comprises individuals (Individuals
in International Law) as well as entities, the latter
spanning a large range of organizations and institutions
on the global, regional, sub-regional as well as the local
levels
 01 Another Definition with clearer implication

• 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.
• The weakening role of states in global politics has long been
predicted as a consequence of globalisation. Non-state
actors (NSA) are organizations with sufficient power to
influence and cause a change even though they do not belong
to any established institution of a state.
• They include NGOs, IGOs, MNCs, drug cartels, mafias, terrorist
groups etc. they may work in tandem for the peace, stability
and development of a country or they may work against the
State.
01 Definition
• Complex interdependence
• Institutionalism

International level
The United Nations
Regional level
ASEAN

Local level
Teach for Vietnam Civil societies
Individuals & Public opinion
01 IR theories of the role of non-state actors

Theories What is the role of Non-state actors?

Classic 1

REALISM
Neo 2

Classic 3

LIBERALISM
Neo 4

5
CONSTRUCTIVISM
01 IR theories of the role of non-state actors

Theories What is the role of Non-state actors?

Classical N/A

REALISM
Neo Underestimate

Classical Important independent actors to

recognise common goods
LIBERALISM
Neo Acknowledge & advocate the power of
non-state actors
Recognise non-state actors as an integral
CONSTRUCTIVISM component to the IR system to advocate
norms & values
 02
International/ Intergovernmental
Organisations (IGOs)
02 Definition

International institutions, both formal organizations

and rule- making international treaties, are the arenas
where states interact and cooperate to solve common
problems

to g re ater
ac ti o n s lead n d h i gher
e inte r tion, a
Multipl s fo r c o o p era
i ns ti tu tions
it ie more
possibil a d s to
tion le
50％
co o p er a
40％
32％

10％
 FUNCTIONALISM: Make up of more than 2
the need to cooperate member states
on technical, often
nonpolitical, issues
that states are not the The will to
appropriate units for cooperate for
resolving common good
Intergovernmental

Organisation
A well-
COLLECTIVE GOOD: structured
interdependent working body
activities and choices
- the downside is the
tragedy of the
commons Autonomy &
Enforcement
*
• Categorisation of IGOs:

1/ Specialised organisations

2/ Multifunctional
organisation
• Depending on location or region of
influence

1/Intercontinental/ Supranational
2/ Regional
3/ Subregional
 • Depend on membership scheme
- Public: States are members ==> IGOs

- Private: Members can be interest groups, individuals &

states ==> INGOs
 The role of IGOs
• Offer a platform for discussion between states and other actors
in IR

• Enhance mutual understanding working toward mutual goods

• Suggest a sense of equality in terms of membership

• Set international rules and politica agenda (eg. ILOCS)

• Create a set of shared values (eg. UNESCO)

• Be one of experts in the field available for resolutions or

consultation (eg. WHO, IMF)
Any problems?

• Developed countries vs. Least-developed countries

• North-South division & discrimination

• The dubious procedures to establish an IGO

THE BIGGEST INTERGOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATION (IGO):
UNITED NATIONS
 The United Nations
• State sovereignty creates a real need for
such organizations on a practical level –
why?
• Since the 1648 Treaties of Westphalia,
states have tried to reserve the right to
perform within their territories in any way
the government chooses.
• Each state has its own sovereignty — The
exclusive power and jurisdiction of a state
to govern its territory.
• Sovereignty also means that no authority is
legally above the state, except that which
the state voluntarily confers on the
international organizations it joins.
History of the UN
• Formed after the fall of the League of Nations which could
not successfully rule as a governing body and WW II
• Has the ability to maintain and deploy its member nations'
armed forces as peace keepers.
• The term "United Nations" was suggested by Franklin D.
Roosevelt during World War II, to refer to the Allies.
History of the UN
• From August to October 1944, representatives of France, the
Republic of China, the United Kingdom, the United States,
and the Soviet Union met to elaborate the plans at the
Dumbarton Oaks Estate in Washington, DC. Those and later
talks produced the framework of the UN (finalized in San
Francisco)
• Originally 51 member countries in 1945.
• Now 193 members
Structure of the UN
06 bodies or agencies
1. UN General Assembly (GA)
2. UN Security Council (SC)
3. Trusteeship Council:
suspended operation in
1994
4. UN Secretariat
5. International Court of
Justice (ICJ or World Court)
6. UN Economic and Social
Council (ESC)
Structure of the UN
• National delegations to the UN, headed by ambassadors
from member states, work and meet together at the UN
headquarters in NYC.
• Universality of membership
• Five great powers each have a veto over substantive
decisions of the Security Council.
• Mechanism for collective security
• Financed by two
methods: Assessed and
Voluntary
• Assessed is decided by
how large and wealthy
the member country is,
therefore determining
the amount of money it
is able to allocate to the
UN (decided when the
UN makes it’s budget
every two years).
• There is a ceiling rate for
countries so the UN is
not dependent one
country for its money.
The ceiling rate is now
22%.
 03
Non-governmental organisations
(NGOs)
 private, voluntary
organizations whose
FUNCTIONALISM:
members are individuals
the need to cooperate
or associations
on technical, often
nonpolitical, issues
that states are not the The will to
appropriate units for cooperate for
resolving common good
NON-governmental

Organisation
A well-
COLLECTIVE GOOD: structured
interdependent working body
activities and choices
- the downside is the
tragedy of the
commons Autonomy

*
03
Donor-
Government-
organised
organised
NGOs
NGOs
DONGOs
GONGOs
Incredibily
diverse in
terms of
interest/
locations/
membership
/ publicity

BINGOs ONGOs
Business &
Operational
Industry NGOs
NGOs
 NGOs in domestic law
• Key questions determining the power of domestic
civil society and ability to go ‘transnational’:

• Who can form a not-for-profit?

(citizens/inhabitants?)
• What are requirements of registration?
• What is the tax law regarding not-for-profits?
• What is the legal status of NGOs in domestic
courts (can they sue on behalf of individuals?)

• Exception: Belgium applies law of country of origin.

NGOs in international law

• Despite the fact that NGOs and other

NSAs are becoming more prominent and
autonomous from states, they remain
subject to domestic legislation.

• International law lags behind the reality

of a changing world.
 IGOs vs. NGOs: status at the UN

IGOs: observer status

NGOs: consultative status

• General: concerned with most UN
issues
• Special: concerned with some UN
issues
03

The 2000s

The 1990s

The 1970s
03

ESTABLISH A
ADVOCATE SPECIFIC NETWORK OF NGOS
POLICIES & OFFER FOR TRANSFERRED
ALTERNATIVE INFORMATION &
CHANNELS A B POWER
WORK AT PREPARE MATERIALS
GRASSROOT LEVEL C D & CONTRIBUTE TO
TO MOBILISE THE OFFICIAL
MASS CONFERENCES
Any problems?
• Do NGOs have enough resources/ power to realise their

goals?

• Not backed up by the international law

• Even so, can they accomplish their missions successfully?

• How to measure impact and effectiveness?

35
 04
Transnational corporates &
Multinational corporates
04

WHAT ?
04

MNCs owns a TNCs originate

home company from a home
and its country but not
subsidiaries locate their
home company.

Centralised Independent
management operation in a
==> More network
barriers in ==> Less
decision making barriers
04

Market
Economy

Political
stability

Interdependence