Anon-state actor (NSA) is an individual or organization that has significant political influence but is not allied to any particular country or state.[1]
The interests, structure, and influence of NSAs vary widely. For example, among NSAs arenon-profit organizations,labor unions,non-governmental organizations,banks,corporations,media organizations,business magnates,people's liberation movements,lobby groups,religious groups,aid agencies, andviolent non-state actors such asparamilitary forces.
Some common and influential classes of NSAs are listed here in alphabetical order:
The proliferation of non-state actors since theCold War ended has been one of the factors leading to the Cobweb Paradigm in international politics.[5] Under thisparadigm, the traditionalWestphaliannation-state experiences an erosion of power and sovereignty, and non-state actors are part of the cause. Facilitated byglobalization, NSAs challenge nation-state borders and sovereignty claims. MNCs are not always sympathetic tonational interests but are loyal to the corporation's interests instead. NSAs challenge the nation-state's sovereignty over internal matters through advocacy for societal issues, such ashuman rights and the environment.[4]
Armed non-state actors operate without state control and are involved in internal and trans-border conflicts. The activity of such groups in armed conflicts adds layers of complexity to traditional conflict management and resolution. The conflicts are often fought not only between non-state actors and states but also between multiple NSA groups. Interventions in such conflicts is particularly challenging sinceinternational law and the norms governing theuse of force for intervention orpeacekeeping purposes were written primarily in the context of the nation-state.
Additionally, armed non-state actors have recently been held accountable to international law with theUnited Nations Security Council’s decision to allow the self-defense principle to be applied against an NSA. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the US and the UN debated whether the right of self-defense, as protected by theUN Charter'sArticle 51, was applicable to armed non-state actors, in this caseAl-Qaeda. Article 51 allows member states to pursue a preemptive self-defense if they know that an imminent attack is coming. Many issues still remain on the extent to which the potential victim state could retaliate against the armed NSA since most armed non-state actors often reside on the territory of asovereign state, which thus may also endure a retaliatory or preemptive attack. The9/11 attacks had a significant impact in demonstrating that non-state actors may be held accountable to international law and may contend in the political and the military arenas, alongside states.[6]
The term Non State Actors is widely used indevelopment cooperation, particularly under theCotonou Agreement[7] between theEuropean Union (EU) and African, Caribbean and PacificACP countries. The agreement uses the term to refer to a wide range of nongovernmental development actors whose participation inACP-EU development cooperation is now formally recognized. According to Article 6, non-state actors include:
In practice, it means thatparticipation is open to all kind of actors, such as community-based organisations, women's groups,human rights associations,non-governmental organisations (NGOs), religious organizations, farmers'cooperatives,trade unions,universities and research institutes, the media and the private sector. Also included in this definition are informal groups such asgrassroots organizations, informal private sector associations, etc. The private sector, however, is considered only insofar as it is involved in non-profit activities (e.g. private sector associations, chambers of commerce, etc.)
Non-state actors can aid in opinion building in international affairs, such as theHuman Rights Council. Formal international organizations may also rely on non-state actors, particularly NGOs in the form of implementing partners in the national context. An example is the contribution ofCOHRE (Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions), to the protection of land and property (HLP) rights inKosovo by conceptualizing the Housing and Property Directorate (now Kosovo Property Agency) within the framework of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo.[8]
Non-state actors are fundamental agents in helping to achieve both national and international development goals, such as those around climate change. Actions by non-state actors contribute significantly towards filling the greenhouse gas emissions gap left by unambitious or poorly executed national climate policies,Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).[9]
Another example that shows the importance of non-state actors in peace-building is the contribution ofICBL (International Campaign to Ban Landmines) to the international prohibition on the use of landmines. ICBL is a global network of NGOs that has operated in over 90 countries since 1992. Its primary goal is to make a world free ofanti-personnel landmines. Their passionate advertising appealing for global cooperation drewDiana, Princess of Wales to become an ardent advocate. Together, they brought the issue to theUnited Nations General Assembly. ICBL's efforts led the international community to urge states to ratify theOttawa Treaty (Mine Ban Treaty) in 1997, and its contribution was recognized and praised as it was awarded theNobel Peace Prize in the same year.[10]
Non-state actors also have a role ingovernance. While NSAs are incredibly useful in advancing international peace, monitoring human rights violations, and lobbying for socio-political issues like climate change, they also play a role in non-traditional governance. Manyfragile states rely on non-state actors for protection and administration.[11] More traditional methods of governance include local courts and clans, on the other end, non-traditional NSA groups govern as paramilitaries or rebel groups. The importance of this is that in the last 20 years non-state actors have acquired legal recognition due to their heavy involvement in the international order. Their growing presence as an alternative governmental presence also holds them accountable to international law.[12]
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