Global Governance and Strategies for Civil Society

In this paper we explore some linkages between globalisation, civil society and governance in order to develop a strategic approach to how civil society may engage with state and interstate institutions of governance. We propose that, just as national civil societies depend on and in turn support particular features in state systems, the prospects for an emerging global civil society also depend on similarly appropriate features in the institutions of regional or global governance. We discuss four possible relationships between civil society and governance institutions, depending on whether governance is facilitating or obstructive to civil society, and whether it is strong or weak. This suggests a range of strategies for non-government organisations (NGOs) and networks depending on the features of the institutions with which they are engaged. We then illustrate the model using the eventually successful campaign for East Timorese self-determination. This case shows how the strategic engagement of global civil society networks with state and interstate institutions eventually lead to a positive result through drawing these institutions into supportive roles.