Global Citizenship exam 2

According to Keck and Sikkink, what motivates transnational advocacy networks? How does this differ from other types of transnational networks?

Keck and Sikkink state that transnational advocacy networks are motivated by values and principles rather than material concerns or professional norms. This differs from other transnational networks that may be primarily driven by economic interests or shared professional standards

Explain the concept of "framing" as it relates to transnational advocacy networks. Why is this a crucial tactic for these networks?

Framing, in the context of advocacy networks, refers to the conscious strategic efforts by groups to create shared understandings of the world and their place in it. This tactic is crucial for attracting attention, encouraging action from target audiences, and aligning their cause with favorable institutional venues.

Describe the "boomerang pattern" of influence used by transnational advocacy networks. Under what circumstances is this strategy typically employed?

The boomerang pattern occurs when domestic NGOs, facing a severed link with their unresponsive government, seek international allies to pressure their state from the outside. This strategy is most commonly used in human rights campaigns, indigenous rights campaigns, and environmental campaigns supporting local populations.

What are the four types of politics that advocacy networks utilize to exert influence, according to Keck and Sikkink? Briefly define two of these types.

The four types of politics are information politics, symbolic politics, leverage politics, and accountability politics. Information politics is the ability to move credible and politically useful information quickly to where it will have the most impact. Symbolic politics is the ability to use symbols, actions, or stories to make sense of a situation for a distant audience.

According to Marks, what is the principal institutional framework for furthering human rights in the world community? What key articles of the UN Charter are relevant to human rights?

According to Marks, the United Nations is the principal institutional framework for furthering human rights globally. Key relevant articles of the UN Charter include Articles 55 and 56, which stipulate that member states pledge to promote universal respect for and observance of human rights.

What are some of the means the UN uses to prevent harm related to human rights violations? Give at least two examples from the Marks reading.

The UN uses several means to prevent harm, including education and information dissemination to raise awareness of human rights, standard-setting through the creation and interpretation of human rights norms, and institution-building within member states to strengthen human rights protections.

Explain the significance of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in the context of UN human rights efforts, as described by Marks

The ICESCR and ICCPR, adopted in 1966, transformed the aspirational rights of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) into binding treaty law. These two covenants form the cornerstone of international human rights law, outlining economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights.

According to Shannon et al., what are the three core obligations of a country regarding human rights, as outlined by the International Bill of Human Rights? Define one of these obligations.

The three core obligations are respect, protect, and fulfill. Respect obligates a country to honor the rights of its population through its laws and state entities. Protect requires a country to safeguard individuals from human rights abuses by third parties, such as private organizations or other individuals. Fulfill means ensuring the necessary measures and resources are in place to progressively realize human rights.

Describe the four components of "accessibility" within the human right to food, as explained by Shannon et al.

The four components of accessibility are physical (the ability to obtain food in a geographical area), economic (having sufficient resources to afford nutritious food without sacrificing other basic needs), informational (the right to information about food and nutrition), and nondiscrimination (ensuring access without regard to ethnicity, race, religion, class, sex, or other attributes).

According to Shannon et al., how do current US food and agricultural policies contribute to an unsustainable and unhealthy food system? Provide one specific example.

Shannon et al. argue that current policies often support the industrial model of food production, processing, and marketing, which encourages the overconsumption of nutrient-poor foods. For example, agricultural subsidies may favor commodity crops used in unhealthy processed foods, making these options cheaper and more readily available than healthier alternatives

Advocacy Networks

Coalitions of actors working internationally on an issue, who are bound together by shared values, a common discourse, and dense exchanges of information and services.

Boomerang Pattern

 A pattern of influence where domestic NGOs, blocked by their own state, appeal to international actors who then pressure the state from the outside.

Framing

 Conscious strategic efforts by groups of people to fashion shared understandings of the world and of themselves that legitimate and motivate collective action.

Information Politics

The ability of advocacy networks to move politically usable and credible information quickly to where it will have the most impact

Leverage Politics

 The ability of advocacy networks to call upon powerful actors to influence a situation where weaker members of the network lack influence.

Accountability Politics

The effort by advocacy networks to oblige more powerful actors to act on vaguer policies or principles they have formally endorsed.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

A non-binding declaration adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, outlining fundamental human rights and freedoms.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

 A binding treaty outlining economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the rights to work, health, education, and food.

UN Human Rights Council

 An intergovernmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.

Special Procedures (UN)

 Independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective.

Special Procedures (UN)

 Independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective.

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

 A process by the UN Human Rights Council to review the human rights records of all UN Member States.

Sustainability (Right to Food)

Ensuring that the food system meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Industrial Food Animal Production (IFAP)

Large-scale, intensive animal agriculture often associated with environmental and public health concerns.

Agroecology

An ecological approach to agriculture that seeks to optimize interactions between plants, animals, humans, and the environment while addressing social and ecological aspects of sustainability.

Food Policy Councils

Organizations that bring together diverse stakeholders to examine how the food system operates and to develop recommendations for improvement.