The Effectiveness of the Global Civil Society in the Information Age: A Case of Environmental Conservation and Development

Abstract

A growing number of transnational citizens groups combating global environment and development problems have achieved prominence in the international community over the last few decades. Such civil society movements often make good use of modern information technologies and communication networks in putting forward their agenda, undoubtedly benefiting from the advancement of the information age. However, the influence and impact of the global civil society on international decision-making arenas still seems to be rather obscure in actuality. A case study of environmental conservation and development activities of civil society is outlined in this paper. The study indicates that while the global civil society has acquired a greater presence in international decision-making because of the use of advanced communication systems, its lack of representativeness and accountability, coupled with its ill-coordinated and dispersed advocacy activities, significantly undermines its collective competitiveness in exerting more power in the global negotiation on environment and development issues.