Making space for transnational democracy

Abstract

Our survey of transnational social movements in this volume suggests the state system is losing its place of privilege. We are witnessing the dislocation of traditional politics and the reordering of global affairs. As new forms of globally networked civil and (uncivil) actors emerge, the interstate system and hegemonic structures of world order are being disrupted, dislocated, and increasingly, sidestepped. The rise of global civil society is giving way to new identities, ties and dialogues that lay outside the reach and control of states. The actors of global civil society are also pressuring global governance institutions to become more transparent and engage them directly. Indeed, much of the real implementation of the work of global institutions-as in peacemaking, de-mining, environmental monitoring, development, emergency humanitarian assistance-depends on NGO and social movement capacities to work the ground in local settings around the world, to network, and report back.