NGOs and the Global Public Sphere

There are many different reasons states block redress from NGOs within it. As Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink describe in Activists beyond Borders there is a boomerang pattern many NGOs face. Though NGOs are generally trying to help support a right that is being denied in a state, the state can find many reasons to block this assistance or influence.

                States are autonomous impermeable entities, in other words they want to maintain full control over themselves. Though an NGO may mean well, most states do not like being told what to do and how to do it. States often do not want to be held accountable to an NGO or have this external entity holding any control over internal functions. If an NGO approaches a situation incorrectly this may be sufficient reason for a state to ignore the NGO.

In addition, sometimes a state is funding support for a certain cause. NGO’s at times want to resolve the actual issue and not just continue to supply money with not resolution to the problem. This is the same problem we often face with celebrities when their support of an NGO persuades the general public to donate money to a cause instead of actually supporting, providing awareness and solutions to the problems. Solely providing financial support does not resolve the issue. Often time’s additional training and support is required to actually assist those in need. For example, simply providing financial support to an area that is suffering from hunger will feed them, which resolves the immediate need. However, providing training and supplies to grow crops and develop farms is a longer term solution. If a state is providing funding to “resolve” an issue internally it may not want an NGO coming in and taking over, making the state look as if they could not resolve the issue themselves even while providing financial support.

                Often times a state is more likely to listen to another state than to an NGO. Gaining support from another state or multiple states can empower NGOs to accomplish their goals. When other states agree upon resolving certain problems they can develop and sign pacts. This holds them accountable to fulfilling their goals, accomplishing what the NGOs wanted them to in the first place. Sometimes another state or an intergovernmental organization has the additional pressure required to persuade a state to cooperate with an NGO or at least accomplish the goals set forth by these NGOs. This is why NGOs do not represent a global public sphere, though beneficial to the global public in general.