International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)
Definition of INGOs
INGOs are private organizations. That perform activities to prevent suffering, promote well-being, and provide services, or undertake community development.
They work internationally, focusing on humanitarian efforts to provide essential needs and ensure safety.
INGOs are private entities not created by governments and are not-for-profit institutions.
INGOs also change global laws and norms.
Fairness and Social Justice
INGOs strive for fairness and social justice, aiming to do what is good for everyone.
INGOs as a Social Force
INGOs act as a social force, advocating for protection against state or other actors.
INGO Collaboration
INGOs may collaborate with states, targeting transnational issues.
Examples include charities in Africa addressing basic needs and working with prisons to bring justice.
Corporate-NGO Partnerships
Partnerships between INGOs and Transnational Corporations (TNCs) are common.
Examples from 2015 include:
M&S / Oxfam
Boots/Macmillan
SSK / Save the Children
Innocent/Age UK
Network Rail / Samaritans
P&G (Pampers)/ UNICEF
Tesco/Diabetes UK & British Heart Foundation
Coca Cola/WWF
Nationwide / Macmillan
Barclays/Plan UK / Care International
Sainsbury's/Comic Relief
Jaguar-Land Rover / The Red Cross
GSK/20% reinvestment initiative (GSK, CARE…)
Lloyds Banking Group / Alzheimer's Society
Examples from 2021 include:
Tesco - CRUK, BHF, DUK
Boots Macmillan Cancer Support
Tesco - WWF
02 - NSPCC
B&Q - Shelter
GSK - Save the Children
HSBC - Shelter
Land Rover - British Red Cross
Cadbury Age UK
Network Rail - Samaritans
Three Samaritans
Unilever - UNICEF
HSBC - Shelter
Sainsbury's Comic / Sport Relief
Sky-WWF
Tesco - British Red Cross
Tesco - Fareshare
Unilever - Global hygiene
Concerns About INGO Support for TNCs
Some worry that INGOs supporting TNCs may be related to image concerns or access to funding.
INGO Weaknesses
INGOs are expanding but can be weakened by a lack of connectivity.
State Weakness
State weakness can be a factor.
INGO Legitimacy and Influence
Legitimacy is a major weapon for any INGO to exert influence.
Pragmatic Legitimacy: Occurs when INGOs are seen as responsive to the needs of governments, donors, and beneficiaries.
Based on how INGOs serve needs.
Normative Legitimacy: Relies on moral arguments about humanitarian aid and human rights.
Based on doing the job well.
Challenges to Traditional Approaches
Traditional charity models may not be sufficient to demonstrate legitimacy.
Reasons for Trust Issues with INGOs
INGOs might abandon their mission by focusing on competition for money and resources.
They may be perceived as global elites, losing touch with grassroots concerns.
A single mistake can ruin an INGO's reputation.
Normative Legitimacy and Trust
Normative legitimacy means being trusted because actions are morally right.
People believe that INGOs stand for something important.
Evolving INGO Engagement
INGOs are offering supporters opportunities to join in actions, not just donate.
Examples:
Greenpeace Mobilization Lab: Lets people run their own activism.
Amnesty Decoders project: Helps people analyze data.
INGOs and Political Sensitivities
In some countries, INGOs focusing on climate change, refugees' rights, and inequality are seen as too politicized.
Normative legitimacy faces challenges as it is not always easily achieved.
Cognitive Legitimacy
Cognitive Legitimacy: Is when INGOs are seen by individuals or communities as a trusted, necessary part of society.
Digital platforms like Change.org and GiveDirectly are becoming credible alternatives, promising more efficient resource use.
Give Directly: Sends money directly to people living in poverty.
Change.org: Platform to start petitions.
Arguments For and Against INGOs
For:
INGOs contribute to more democracy at the international level, giving voice to the voiceless.
They promote transparency by monitoring actions of states and TNCs.
They introduce ethics into a state-based system, focusing on principled beliefs and individual well-being.
Against:
INGOs are increasingly co-opted by governments and corporations.
They cannot be held accountable and are not representative.
INGOs themselves are often not democratically structured, exhibiting centralistic tendencies.
INGO Contributions to Democracy and Accountability
INGOs give voice to those needing support and operations who have no power.
They raise issues that governments might ignore.
They help make governments accountable by sharing information and pushing for democratic problem-solving.
Case Study: INGOs and the Mediterranean Migrant Crisis (2014-2016)
Background: Refugee movement from North Africa and the Middle East to Italy through the Mediterranean Sea.
Causes: Arab Spring, collapse of Libya, Syrian civil war.
Sea operations were less risky than land routes, but thousands died crossing.
INGOs stepped in to help when governments were not doing enough.
What NGOs Did: Started rescue missions using their own ships.
Examples of INGOs Involved
MOAS (Migrant Offshore Assistance Station): Founded by philanthropists, worked with the state, operated the ship Phoenix.
MSF (Doctors Without Borders): Independent medical INGO. MSF Barcelona operated 'Dignity I'; MSF Brussels operated 'Bourbon Argos' with a hospital onboard.
SOS Mediterranee: Operated Aquarius/Ocean Viking. Faced criticism but saved thousands of lives.
Positive Impacts and Challenges
Saved lives and raised awareness.
INGOs need permission from governments and faced challenges.
Governments claimed INGOs encouraged migration.
The thorny paradox: government stops helping, and INGOs' work made governments stop doing anything.
INGOs and Government Relations
INGOs need to balance working independently with cooperating with governments.
Strong relationships with governments ensure support through funding and resources.
Cooperation with governments provides resources to do campaign.
Key summary points:
INGOs play a crucial role in…This highlights the importance of…A key example of this is…In contrast, some INGOs struggle with…This shows how INGOs must balance…Overall, INGOs remain essential in addressing global challenges…
Useful Phrases for Essay Writing: INGOs play a crucial role in… This highlights the importance of… A key example of this is… In contrast, some INGOs struggle with… This shows how INGOs must balance… Overall, INGOs remain essential in addressing global challenges…
INGOs (International Non-Governmental Organizations) are independent, non-profit groups that work globally to solve issues such as poverty, health crises, conflict, environmental damage, and human rights violations.
They are not controlled by any government but often cooperate with them to gain access to affected areas, funding, and legal permissions.
INGO Legitimacy Types:
Pragmatic legitimacy based on being useful, effective, and solving real problems.
Normative legitimacy based on being moral, ethical, and standing for justice and human rights.
Cognitive legitimacy based on being seen as a normal, necessary part of society.
Positive impact of INGOs: Rescued over 100,000 people, Freed up coast guards to work in other areas, Pressured governments through media and advocacy.
INGO’s Goals
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