NGOs in World Politics / GOV 423
Spring 2011 / Wofford College
Prof. William DeMars
demarswe@wofford.edu
216 Daniel (tel: 4598), Office Hours: M/T/F 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Goals and Expectations
This course explores the varied and changing roles and influences of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) in world politics, across issue areas and across regions, through theory and
with a host of historical and contemporary examples. In addition to common readings, class
discussion, and two exams, there will be a research component of the course on contemporary or
historical NGO politics. The research process will include a preliminary annotated bibliography,
ongoing research throughout the semester, class presentations, a draft paper, and a final paper.
The overarching perspective of NGOs in the course is political but not reductionist. In
other words, NGOs are viewed as operating in world politics and therefore subject to influencing
and being influenced by political actors and agendas, but not necessarily entirely of politics and
therefore not reducible to merely expressing the agendas and interests of more powerful actors.
Students who successfully complete this course will:
- Understand theoretical debate on the significance of international NGOs;
- Survey major issues-areas of NGO influence including human rights, humanitarian relief,
environmentalism, women’s rights, and democratization;
- Explore both the history and the future of NGOs in world politics;
- Analyze the shifting partners, agendas, and effects of NGOs in selected case studies;
- Research a selected NGO campaign, network, issue-area, or conflict.
Grading (500 points total)
20%
5%
5%
10%
20%
20%
20%
(100 points)
(25 points)
(25 points)
(50 points)
(100 Points)
(100 points)
(100 points)
Participation
Annotated Bibliography
Research Presentation
Draft Research Paper
Final Research Paper
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Required Texts
◊ William E. DeMars, NGOs and Transnational Networks: Wild Cards in World Politics
(London: Pluto Press, 2005).
◊ Luc Reydams, ed., Global Activism Reader, (New York, Continuum, 2011).
Other readings will be provided by the professor. Students are strongly encouraged to keep up
with current news on international NGOs.
Plan of Study
This is an organic plan subject to development and modification
Week 1: Feb 2
Introduction to the Course
Mary Kaldor, Social Movements, NGOs, and Networks
Week 2: Feb 9
Thinking about NGOs: Argentina
DeMars, Introduction
* Margaret E. Keck and Kathryn Sikkink, Preface,
Ch 1, “Transnational Advocacy Networks in International
Politics,” and
Ch 3, Human rights Advocacy Networks in Latin America,
in Activists Beyond Borders (Cornell U, 1998).
Week 3: Feb 16
Thinking about NGOs: Argentina II
DeMars, Ch 1, “Your NGO Starter Kit”
DeMars, Ch 4, “NGOs versus Dictators: Argentina’s Dirty War
Revisited”
Week 4: Feb 23
More Thinking about NGOs
DeMars, Ch 2, “Partners in Conflict: A Structural Theory of
NGOs,”
* Keck and Sikkink, Ch 2, “Historical Precursors to
Modern Transnational Advocacy Networks”
DeMars, Ch 3, “Ironic Origins of Transnational Organizing”
Week 5: Mar 2
Humanitarian Networks
Fred Cuny
Selections from Fiona Terry, Condemned to Repeat? The Paradox
of Humanitarian Action (Cornell University Press, 2002)
William DeMars, “War and Mercy in Africa,” World Policy
Journal, Vol. 17, No. 2 (2000), pp 1-10.
William E. DeMars, “Hazardous Partnership: NGOs and American
Intelligence in Small Wars,” International Journal of
Intelligence and Counterintelligence, Vol. 14, No. 2
(Spring 2001), pp. 193-222.
Week 6: Mar 9
Midterm Exam
Week 7: Mar 16
More Humanitarian Networks
DeMars, Ch 5, “Dancing in the Dark: NGOs and States in Former
Yugoslavia”
TBA
Week 8: Mar 23
TBA
Spring Break: Mar 28 -- Apr 1
Week 9: Apr 6
Women, Sexuality, Fertility
DeMars, Ch 6, “Engineering Fertility”
TBA
Week 10: Apr 13
TBA
Week 11: Apr 20
Research Presentations and Draft Papers
(no outside readings)
Week 12: Apr 27
Research Presentations and Draft Papers
Week 13: May 4
Future and Significance of NGOs
DeMars, Ch 7, “Changing Partners, Shaping Progress”
TBA
Final Exam: Wednesday, May 18