NGO–NGO Relations

Abstract

Non-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are playing an increasing role in global politics, for example, in setting standards and monitoring their implementation or bringing about and shaping international institutions. The relations between NGOs are often considered to be crucial for either the success or the failure of the NGOs’ efforts to influence international politics. First, this chapter begins with explaining how we can conceptualize NGO–NGO relations. Given that interaction between NGOs is often conceived of in terms of networks, the chapter thereby focuses on different types of NGO networks. Second, it provides an overview of different theory-based explanations for either cooperation or competition between NGOs. Finally, it addresses some major blind spots in the literature: inter- and intra-network relations and the evolution of NGO networks.