Governance and Global Civil Society
PSC 700.004, Spring 2009
Thursday, 3:30 - 6:15
315 Maxwell Hall

Introduction

Requirements

Readings

Schedule

Announcements

Links

Instructors

 

INTRODUCTION

Across virtually all areas of global concern formal and informal networks of social movements, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), epistemic communities, social movements and other ‘unofficial’ agents operate along side of states and international organizations in an attempt to influence the way that policy makers, citizens, and corporations understand and address global public goods challenges. From the flow of illegal drugs across the globe to the emergence of trans-boundary environmental crises and health epidemics (such as AIDS and SARS) to international terrorism and the challenges of managing an increasingly integrated global economy these transnational civil society organizations and movements are having a direct influence on institutions both within and across countries. Many suggest they now play an indispensable role in the management of transnational problems and are becoming an important part of “the organizational infrastructure of a globalizing world” (Anheier and Themudo 2002:183). Few, however, broadly understand how these organizations function across different conditions and contexts, impact policy, or manage the organizational challenges they face.

This course will introduce students to the concept of ‘global civil society’ and the governance issues that relate to this subject. It will cover the various strands of thinking, including classic texts on civil society and contemporary literature that are needed to understand the ‘global’ character of civil society nowadays. It will also provide an overview of transnational civil society organizations (including NGOs, social movements, epistemic communities and others) and their relation to other actors we find in the world today. Particular attention will be given to the way that civil society organizations confront five core challenges: coordination of their work with states and international organizations, leadership, accountability, diffusion of ideas, and impact assessment.

Please understand that this is a survey course intended to introduce students to the wide range of perspectives – including views from a number of guest lecturers – and literatures on global civil society. Its intent,  as such, is to allow students to begin the process of integrating these literatures through critical analysis. This course is required for completion of the Certificate of Advanced Studies Civil Society Organizations.