9. Global Civil Society

Question 1

What does the passage criticize mainstream media for in its coverage of global governance?

Answer 1

Mainstream media is criticized for offering superficial coverage, emphasizing commercial interests over critical awareness.

Question 2

According to the passage, why is mass media deemed ineffective in addressing accountability gaps?

Answer 2

: Mass media is deemed ineffective due to its focus on commercial interests and its inability to extract accountability from global governance.

Question 3

What role does civil society play in the context of global governance?

Answer 3

Civil society is viewed as a political space for citizens to shape societal rules, practicing collective claiming of rights outside political parties.

Question 4

How does the passage describe national parliaments’ role in global governance accountability?

Answer 4

National parliaments’ role is described as patchy scrutiny, especially outside North America and Western Europe, with global governance issues lacking prominence in national elections.

Question 5

What is the suggested consequence of disappointment with national governments, according to the reading?

Answer 5

Disappointment with national governments is suggested to lead to voter absenteeism, prompting citizens to seek accountability through global regulatory mechanisms.

Question 6

Why are states deemed insufficient agents of global governance accountability?

Answer 6

States are seen as insufficient due to a lack of representation in regulatory organizations, prompting exploration of indirect mechanisms.

Question 7

: What are the criticisms of official channels like the United Nations in the context of global governance?

Answer 7

Official channels, including the United Nations, face criticism for weak oversight and technocratic peer reviews.

Question 8

How does the text view the role of mass media in enhancing transparency in global governance?

Answer 8

Mass media’s role is discussed, but it’s criticized for providing minimal coverage and journalists’ lack of education on global governance.

Question 9

What is emphasized in the conclusion regarding the need for global-scale rules and regulatory institutions?

Answer 9

The conclusion emphasizes the vital need for global-scale rules and regulatory institutions to address contemporary governance challenges.

Question 10

How does the democratic emphasis on accountability contrast with the contemporary ‘good governance’ discourse?

Answer 10

he democratic emphasis contrasts with the ‘good governance’ discourse, where accountability often serves financial responsibility and efficient performance.

Question 11

What role does transparency play in the context of global governance, according to the text?

Answer 11

Transparency enables affected constituents to scrutinize decisions made in the realm of global governance.

Question 12

Who are the various actors involved in transnational advocacy networks, according to the reading?

Answer 12

Various actors involved include economic entities, scientists, and activists, structured to address global issues.

Question 13

What role do advocacy networks play in the convergence of social and cultural norms?

Answer 13

Advocacy networks play a crucial role in contributing to the convergence of social and cultural norms in transnational, regional, and domestic contexts.

Question 14

How do transnational advocacy networks challenge traditional boundaries, especially concerning national sovereignty?

Answer 14

ransnational advocacy networks transform the practice of national sovereignty by challenging traditional boundaries between a state’s relations with its nationals and international systems.

Question 15

How are transnational advocacy networks defined in the passage?

Answer 15

Transnational advocacy networks are defined as actors working internationally on an issue, bound by shared values, a common discourse, and dense exchanges of information and services.

Question 16

What is at the core of transnational advocacy networks, allowing non-traditional actors to influence policy outcomes?

Answer 16

Information exchange is at the core of these networks, allowing non-traditional actors to strategically mobilize information to influence policy outcomes and transform the terms of the debate.

Question 17

What is the Boomerang Pattern, as discussed in the text?

Answer 17

he Boomerang Pattern emerges when individuals and domestic groups seek international connections to express concerns or protect rights when domestic avenues are unresponsive.

Question 18

Why are international conferences considered crucial arenas for the formation and reinforcement of advocacy networks?

Answer 18

International conferences serve as crucial arenas for the formation and reinforcement of advocacy networks, facilitating networking among diverse actors.

Question 19

How do advocacy networks exert influence, and at what levels?

Answer 19

Advocacy networks exert influence at different levels, ranging from issue creation and attention/agenda setting to influencing discursive positions, institutional procedures, policy changes, and ultimately influencing state behavior.

Question 20

What conditions are mentioned for the effectiveness of advocacy networks?

Answer 20

The effectiveness of advocacy networks is contingent on factors such as issue characteristics, network strength, density, and the ability to leverage resources.

Question 21

: According to the introduction, what is the significance of world systems theory in the context of modernization theories?

Answer 21

: World systems theory is significant for critiquing modernization theories, emphasizing the historical production of

Question 22

What is the primary focus regarding global civil society in the 1990s?

Answer 22

The text focuses on the emergence of global civil society in the 1990s, led by international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), and their impact on issues such as environmental decay and inequitable globalization.

Question 23

What is the “Battle for Seattle,” and why is it considered a turning point?

Answer 23

The “Battle for Seattle” in 1999 marked a turning point as diverse groups united against the World Trade Organization, challenging inequitable global practices.

Question 24

What role did INGOs play in norm setting, and what challenges does the text highlight regarding direct democracy in global civil society?

Answer 24

INGOs played a crucial role in norm setting, challenging state sovereignty and advocating for transnational human rights. The text emphasizes challenges to direct democracy, focusing on issues of representation and accountability.

Question 25

According to the passage, what concerns are raised about the representativeness of global civil society actors?

Answer 25

The passage acknowledges the dominance of a few powerful actors in global civil society, potentially excluding less privileged groups, raising concerns about representativeness.

Question 26

How does the text examine representation dynamics within global civil society, specifically regarding INGOs?

Answer 26

The text questions how citizens’ needs are genuinely represented within global civil society, focusing on the potential disconnection between INGOs and the people they claim to represent.

Question 27

What challenges are highlighted regarding norm-setting by INGOs, especially in the context of human rights?

Answer 27

The text raises questions about the prioritization of certain rights over others and the potential overshadowing of non-Western perspectives within the global civil society discourse.

Question 28

Using Human Rights Watch as an example, how does the passage explore the evolution of human rights organizations?

Answer 28

The passage explores the expansion of the mandates of human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch, to include social and economic rights, critically assessing the criteria used for intervention in cases of rights violations.

Question 29

What is the central concern regarding accountability within global civil society?

Answer 29

The central concern is the lack of direct interaction between INGOs and the people they represent, emphasizing the importance of accountability in genuinely addressing the needs and interests of individuals.

Question 30

In conclusion, what does the author advocate for in terms of global civil society?

Answer 30

In conclusion, the author advocates for a more critical examination of the representation, accountability, and norm-setting processes within global civil society, aiming for a more responsive approach to diverse needs, particularly in non-Western societies.

Question 31

What is the World Social Forum (WSF) viewed as, and what is its purpose?

Answer 31

The WSF is viewed as an ‘open space’ for civil society to explore alternative solutions and challenge neoliberal hegemony. Its purpose is to gather diverse elements of the anti-globalization movement to explore alternative worlds.

Question 32

What criticisms are raised about the WSF’s effectiveness in constructing a counter-hegemonic movement?

Answer 32

Critics argue that despite being viewed as a potential “postmodern prince,” the WSF lacks direction and resembles a ‘talking shop,’ raising questions about its effectiveness in constructing a counter-hegemonic movement.

Question 33

What challenges does the WSF face, according to the passage?

Answer 33

Challenges include elitism, funding issues, and political opportunism. The WSF’s role in representing diverse voices is also criticized, with concerns about its impact and the need for a more critical evaluation.

Question 34

What is the WSF’s origin and evolution, and how does it relate to the Global Justice movement?

Answer 34

Initiated in 2001 in Porto Alegre, largely backed by Western NGOs, the WSF expanded globally, giving rise to regional forums. It is regarded as the sum of the Global Justice movement, reacting to injustices from economic neoliberalism.

Question 35

: What is the central debate within the WSF regarding strategy and objectives?

Answer 35

The central debate since 2001 revolves around strategy and objectives. Despite its global scope, the WSF’s origin lies in Brazil, rooted in the local politics of Porto Alegre, leading to inconsistencies and contradictions in mobilizing ideas for counter-hegemonic strategies

Question 36

How does the passage address concerns about the WSF’s impact and the need for a critical evaluation?

Answer 36

The conclusion raises concerns about the WSF’s actual impact in facilitating a counter-hegemonic movement, challenging the perception of WSF as a transformative force, and emphasizing the need for a more critical evaluation of its role.

Question 37

What are the critiques related to elitism, representation, funding, and political opportunism within the WSF?

Answer 37

Elitism critiques involve exclusivity, and representation critiques question how diverse groups are represented. Funding issues, political opportunism, and the use of WSF by political figures for campaigning are also highlighted.