POLS 1500 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Hindustan Unilever, Médecins Sans Frontières, International Non-Governmental Organization
24 Jan 2017
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Nongovernmental Actors
● Transnational nonstate actors participates in global politics regardless that it’s not a state
● Categories of politcal actors: 196 national governments, 65000+ multinational
corporations (MNCs), 500+ research institutions providing expertise to public and private
actors, 246 IGOs, 7500+ INGOs (nongovernmental with 3+ countries) and philanthropic
foundations
● Transnational Advocacy Network (TANs): network of activists (often coalition of NGOs)
distinguishable by the centrality of principled ideas or values motivating formation
● MNCs have created their own INGOs to counter the progressive INGOs and TANs
MNCs
● Firms with subsidiaries that extend the production and marketing of the firm beyond the
boundaries of any one country
● Not included under the civil society umbrella because they are for profit
● International companies: are simply importers and exporters with no investments or
operations outside the home country
● Multinational companies: invest around the world but adjust products and services to
local markets
● Global companies: invest and have presence in many countries and use the same brand
and image in all markets
● Transnational companies: complex organization that invests in foreign operations, have
a central corporate office and allow foreign markets to make decisions about marketing,
research and development
● MNCs go global to get cheap labour, skilled workers and easy access to resources
● Some see MNCs as enemies to the people and supportive of oppressive government
● Liberals see it as spreading of efficiency, wealth and technology
● Economic nationalists+neomercantilists find it’s a threat to national sovereignty and
dilute national wealth
● Marxists believe they’re reps of capitalism, as they are predatory
● MNCs are playing a more positive role in many developing countries
Examples:
● India is becoming more affluent, educated and politically active, demanding more from
private and public sectors
● 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy at a Union Carbide killed 3800 and 1000s with disabilities
● Nestle helps Indian milk farmers due to corruption accusations
○ Formula milk resulted in infant deaths
● Hindustan Unilever helps educate women on nutrition and hygiene
● US Agency for International Development partners with MNC Land O’Lakes for
increased yield and jobs in dairy
● FEMSA for Coca-Cola protects environment
INGOs eg Red Cross, Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders
● They tend to work in 3 broad areas:
○ Sharing our planet ie environmental
○ Sharing humanity ie global health, educations, rights, war etc
○ Governance ie international law and institutions
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Document Summary
Transnational nonstate actors participates in global politics regardless that it"s not a state. Categories of politcal actors: 196 national governments, 65000+ multinational corporations (mncs), 500+ research institutions providing expertise to public and private actors, 246 igos, 7500+ ingos (nongovernmental with 3+ countries) and philanthropic foundations. Transnational advocacy network (tans): network of activists (often coalition of ngos) distinguishable by the centrality of principled ideas or values motivating formation. Mncs have created their own ingos to counter the progressive ingos and tans. Firms with subsidiaries that extend the production and marketing of the firm beyond the boundaries of any one country. Not included under the civil society umbrella because they are for profit. International companies: are simply importers and exporters with no investments or operations outside the home country. Multinational companies: invest around the world but adjust products and services to local markets. Global companies: invest and have presence in many countries and use the same brand and image in all markets.
