1. Transnational Politics Explaining the power of advocacy networks

2. Today  From Definition to Explanation  What explains the success of transnational advocacy networks (TANs)?  Reading:  Margaret Keck/Kathryn Sikkink: Activists Beyond Borders. Wednesday, 1/30/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

3. Transnational Advocacy Networks (TANs)  Goals of the book (p. 5)  What are transnational advocacy networks (TAN)?  Why and how do TANs emerge?  How do TANs work?  What explains TAN success?

4. Transnational power  Some basic claims:  TAN is a new form of social organization in global affairs.  These transnational advocacy networks (TANs) can be influential, despite lacking military and financial power.  NGOs play a central role in the creation and maintenance of those transnational networks (p. 6).  Campaigns are a central means for social change. In campaigns, “ activists identify a problem, specify a cause, and propose a solution. ”

5. Defining Transnational Advocacy Networks  TANs are non-hierarchical forms of social interaction, different from markets and hierarchies.  TANs promote universal principles.  TANs consist of: NGOs, foundations, churches, trade unions, etc.  What happens in those networks?  Exchange of information and resources  Provide services (training, etc.)  Develop campaigns and shared understandings

6. Why and how do TNAs emerge?  Advocacy networks are not new (p. 10), but:  Increased international travel.  Increased and cheaper communication (email) facilitate networking.  What is the trigger of those networks?  >> The boomerang pattern

7. The “boomerang” effect  Three levels of transnational activism Domestic Activists (local) Repressive State (national) Blockage Transnational NGOsUnited Nations (international)Liberal states Appeal for support

8. When are TANs successful?  Examples of success (p. 25)  Issue creation and agenda setting  Influence on discursive positions of states  Influence on institutional procedures  Influence on policy formulation  Influence on state behavior  Success depends on  Issue characteristics (bodily harm and equality, p. 26)  Actor characteristics (target vulnerabilities, p. 28)