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NGO’s Authority: A Discussion in the Global Environmental Governance

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  • Xiaolong Zou
  • Chuan Wang

Abstract

As non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assume incrementally important roles in global environmental governance, literature regarding their functions also multiplies. Studies are available about their features, structural advantages or impacts. However, very few have sufficiently explained what makes them tick in the international system as non-state actors. In this article, we argue that NGOs’ important position in global governance lies in its authority. We build our analysis on sociological institutionalism and the principal–agent models, arguing that NGOs are independent and autonomous with both inherent authority and granted authority by sovereign states or inter-governmental organizations (IGOs). It is through this authority that NGOs could function independently and autonomously in global governance instead of being the affiliated or appendant actors of parties. To shed some new light on understanding NGOs in the international system from a theoretical perspective, we employ cases from environmental governance domain as evidence for illustration.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaolong Zou & Chuan Wang, 2021. "NGO’s Authority: A Discussion in the Global Environmental Governance," International Studies, , vol. 58(1), pages 80-97, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:intstu:v:58:y:2021:i:1:p:80-97
    DOI: 10.1177/0020881720981215
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Esty, Daniel C, 1998. "Non-Governmental Organizations at the World Trade Organization: Cooperation, Competition, or Exclusion," Journal of International Economic Law, Oxford University Press, vol. 1(1), pages 123-147, March.
    2. Harriet Bulkeley, 2010. "Climate policy and governance: an editorial essay," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 1(3), pages 311-313, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ning Cui & Jiaxuan Li & Jun Tu & Maochun Zhou, 2022. "Evolutionary Game Analysis of Non-Governmental Organizations Participating in Garbage Management under the Background of Internet of Things," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-21, October.

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