The Role Of Global Civil Society In Restoring Citizens’ Trust In Democratic Elections

Elections and electoral assistance have come close to meeting the criteria for a “global public goods challenge,” the consequences of which affect both the developed and developing worlds. This paper argues that by seeing elections not as the end result but rather a periodical reevaluation of effectiveness, NGOs can better develop programs that measure long-term effectiveness. Based on both the literature and examples of a handful of NGOs, this essay describes the nature and scope of the problem with elections and election assistance. It then looks at the ways in which transnational civil society could contribute to addressing and solving this challenge. It concluded that transnational non-governmental organizations (NGOs) could have a greater impact on this global public goods challenge by: educating stakeholders on the relationship between elections and democracy; linking electoral assistance to election observation; taking sides to uphold international electoral standards yet steering clear of partisanship; engaging national and local civil societies in long-term campaign and coverage monitoring; empowering local poll-watchers; and, using their leverage to take action against election fraud and candidate prosecution

High Stakes: U.S. Nonprofit Organizations And The U.S. Standing Abroad

This research sought to explain the agency of U.S.-based nonprofit nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the U.S. standing abroad, and explore the NGO role in the U.S. public diplomacy. A multiple-case study method was used to look at five 501(c)(3) organizations that receive predominantly private funding and operate globally. The data gathered from in-person interviews and corporate documentation were compared between cases, and synthesized across cases using the theory-building technique. While U.S. standing affects American NGOs’ practices and discourses, American NGOs’ behavior might have a bearing on the attitudes, perceptions, and opinions of international publics about the United States. Both the NGO-owned state identities and American NGOs’ reputation for autonomy and freedom of expression enhance the U.S. public diplomacy efforts

Non-State Ambassadors: Ngos' Contribution To America's Public Diplomacy

This qualitative research paper explores how American non-state actors de facto contribute to US public diplomacy efforts while preserving their freedom of disagreement with government policies. In-depth interviews with 14 representatives of 12 US nonprofit nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) were conducted to look at their institutional and individual experiences of communicating with various foreign publics. NGOs' good standing in host countries depends on their ability to build relationships with and empower their local partners. The government could capitalise on NGOs' successes by highlighting their achievements in providing development assistance, as well as their autonomy, diversity and right to dissent. The study provides a baseline for further research on the unrealised capabilities of US civil society in strengthening America's reputation worldwide

Small Business–Nonprofit Collaboration: Locally Owned Businesses Want to Take Their Relationships With Community-Based NPOs to the Next Level

This two-part, mixed-methods study explored how and why small businesses engage in both philanthropic and transactional partner-ships with community-based nonpro?ts (NPOs), and what business owners expect from their nonpro?t partners. Findings from focus groups and a survey indicate that U.S. small businesses (a) are interested in a higher representation on nonpro?t boards; (b) are more likely to support NPOs that focus on the local community’s needs; and (c) seek long-term, committed partnerships with NPOs to jointly address communal issues rather than one-time contributions or sponsorships. The study adds to the literature on nonprofit–business collaboration by applying the concepts of integrative (Austin, 2000) and communal (Cho & Kelly, 2014) relationships in the context of locally owned businesses and community-based NPOs rather than more commonly studied large corporations and national/international nonpro?ts. These ?ndings also offer practical recommendations for the leadership of community nonpro?ts interested in enhancing their relationships with small businesses

Why U.S.-based nonprofit organizations have a stake in the U.S. standing: A case study in public diplomacy

This study sought to explain why and how the corporate identities and reputations of U.S.-based nonprofit nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are related to the U.S. standing abroad, and explore what role NGOs play in a broader context of the U.S. public diplomacy. A case study method was used to look at five organizations that fall under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, receive predominantly private funding, are headquartered in New York, NY or Washington, DC, and operate globally. The data gathered from two sources--i.e., in-person interviews with executives and corporate documentation--were compared between cases, and synthesized across cases using the theory-building technique. In the aggregate, the five cases provide evidence that U.S. standing affects American NGOs\u27 practices and discourses, whereas American NGOs\u27 behavior might have a bearing on the attitudes, perceptions, and opinions of international publics about the United States. The findings add to the understanding of the reputation management aspect of the public diplomacy scholarship. The data also offer insight into how, by exemplifying such aspects of civil society as autonomy, diversity and freedom of expression, U.S.-based NGOs enhance the U.S. public diplomacy efforts. This multiple-case study paves the way for a more detailed exploration of the relationship between NGOs\u27 identities and reputations and the U.S. standing--by using other methods of research, and by examining other actors such as international stakeholders and publics