PSC 757: Non-state Actors in World Affairs
Who governs the world? While states are often assumed to be the default governors in world politics, a substantial body of research shows that non-state actors are accepted as legitimate governors in many parts of the world and across diverse issue areas. This course examines a wide range of non-state actors, including rebel groups, criminal organizations, nongovernmental organizations, religious organizations, and multinational corporations. We investigate how and why non-state actors come to exercise authority at the global level, how they interact with states and international organizations, and what their growing role means for power, legitimacy, and accountability in world politics.