ROLE OF NON STATE ACTORS IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Non state actors are non-sovereign entities that are not allied to any particular state or country
but they exercise significant power and influence in economic, political and social aspects at
both national and international level. Non state actors can be divided strictly into two categories;
international intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs).
International intergovernmental organizations are non-state actors which are created by nation
states and they are under the authorization of government agencies. They are mainly created to
protect the interests of a state and are a product of treaties and negotiations between states. These
states tend to cooperate with other states under the IGOs and pursue its objectives. They function
to reduce uncertainty between states and find solutions to international problems. They also
observe principles and rules of international institutions and regimes in nation-states. The role of
IOGs differs from different nations, issues and time period. Powerful states are less controlled by
IGOs than relatively weaker states. Important examples of IGOs include the United Nations, the
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund etc.
A nongovernmental organization is a non-profit, private and voluntary group that is organized on
a local, national or international level. Different types of NGOs can be found today which
include transnational, operational, advocacy, transnational social movements and antigovernmental NGOs. These NGOs have the power to start projects, promote or defend causes
and provide different services. They also mobilize different networks through their transitional
organizations and take part in IGO conferences. Many activities are conducted by NGOs within
states that include linking to local partners and transnational social movements, working in
national arenas for state policies and providing humanitarian aid. Examples of NGOs include
multinational corporations, national liberation movements, epistemic communities and religious
and humanitarian organizations.
The international political system can said to be consisting of nation states, international
organizations and private actors. These international organizations and private actors are not a
new phenomenon and their oldest examples can be taken as the British East India Company
established in the 17th century or the Red Cross in 1860s. The number of these non-state actors
increased tremendously after the World War II and at first they were not given adequate
importance in international relations. But the contemporary non-state actors differ in shape and
agenda and have created an unprecedented operating environment. Such a growth of non-state
actors is said to be challenging and weakening the concept of international politics where nation
states are considered to be at the center. A more complex environment is being created now in
international politics which can be called the transitional system. Observers of international
relations are stating that nation-states are declining in both status and influence while the nonstate actors are moving upwards. The theory of Complex Interdependence is given by Robert
Koehane and Joseph Nye to explain new developments in international politics. Kegley and
Wittkoph have stated, As the world has grown smaller, the mutual dependence of nation-states
and other transnational political actors on one another has grown.
The impact of non-state actors differs from state to state. The influence they have and the role
that is played by them depends on social, political and economic context. Between weak states,

developed states and modernizing states, non-actor states have more freedom of movement in the
former two then the latter one.
Nation-states which were colonies formerly are referred as weak states since they are mostly
unable to transition to viable nation-state. Central governments in such states are often
challenged by what can be called bad sub-state actors and they seek help and support from
multinational corporations from modernizing states and NGOs sometimes substitute the
government to provide civil, political and human rights.
Developed or postindustrial states usually are the place where multinationals or NGOs originate
and operate from. This is because the requirements of the factors of the working of these
multinational organizations and NGOs are found in these developed countries. They have
extensive information and communication technology and globalized finance. They are engaged
in developed world politics and economics.
80% of global population consists of modernizing states which follow a classic state system
which are usually centralized and highly bureaucratic and the economy is under the direct control
of the government. Since these states are firmly sovereign, they consider non-state actors a threat
to national sovereignty. They mostly ban such non-state actors so they are not to be confused as
government operated and to prevent them from taking over state goals in the eyes of the citizens.
So modernizing states provide the least hospitable ground for non-state actors.
So to talk about the relation of non-state actors in international politics, the following points
should be considered. In todays world, non-state actors have started playing a major role in the
foreign policy making of nation-states and have a significant influence on its behavior as well.
They lobby in both national and international setting and since they are active in more than one
state, they have the power to exploit states against each other as well.
It is considered that nation-states are unitary actors that are strongly questioned by different
perspectives such as domestic or bureaucratic politics. Today, these nation-states are unable to
solve their problems themselves and this is where non-actor states play a vital role. That is the
main reason nation-states cooperate for long-term interests with non-state actors.
Since there is now a significant role of non-state actors in international politics, narrow
perspectives of political processes where nation-states were given primary importance are
becoming problematic. Political scientists have now accepted non-state actors even though their
point of view on the matter may differ based on effectiveness or influence.
In short, non-state actors have become a vital instrument within international system. In order to
maintain their interests, nation-states need to depend upon these non-actor states.

References:
The Impact of Non-State Actors on World Politics: A Challenge to Nation-States by Muhittin
Ataman (Assistant Professor of International Relations, Faculty of Economic and Administrative
Sciences, Abant Izzet Baysal University)
Non-state Actors: Impact on International Relations and Implications for the United States by
National Science Council.