The Stark Demise of the Era of NGOs

The Stark Demise of the Era of NGOs

Author: Global Dispatches August 4, 2025 Duration: 24:09

In 1997, Jessica Matthews' landmark Foreign Affairs essay "Power Shift" captured the growing influence of NGOs and other non-state actors in shaping global affairs. But nearly three decades later, that tide has turned. A provocative new piece in Foreign Affairs argues that the age of NGOs is over—and states are reasserting dominance.

Joining me to unpack this shift is Jennifer Hadden, co-author of the new article and Associate Professor at Brown University. We discuss the heyday of NGOs in the 1990s, what led to their decline, and what this reversal means for the future of human rights, democracy and freedom worldwide. 

Foreign Affairs 

 

 


For years, Global Dispatches--World News That Matters has carved out a unique space, going beyond the headlines to explore the forces and figures shaping our world. This isn't about rapid-fire soundbites; it's a series of substantive conversations with the people directly involved-diplomats negotiating treaties, reporters on the ground in conflict zones, and scholars analyzing long-term trends in global development and international relations. The discussions delve into the "why" behind the news, providing context that is often missing from daily reporting. Recognized by The Guardian as a podcast designed to make you smarter, it serves an audience that feels underserved by superficial summaries. Each episode is built on the premise that complex events deserve nuanced explanation. By listening, you gain access to a clearer, more informed perspective on pivotal issues, from geopolitical shifts to humanitarian crises. The podcast’s longevity as an independent program speaks to its consistent quality and dedicated following. Tune in for a deeper, more thoughtful analysis of the stories that truly matter, presented through the voices of those who know them best.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters
Podcast Episodes
What Americans Really Think About Foreign Policy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:02
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs has been tracking American views on foreign policy since the end of the Vietnam War. Last week, it released its 2025 survey—and the results point to a widening partisan divide on som…
Civil War Has Returned to South Sudan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:31
For the past year and a half, South Sudan has been on the brink of a new civil war. A 2018 peace deal that ended the last civil war has been faltering, while the war across the border in Sudan has threatened to spill sou…
One Year On: What Have Trump's HIV/AIDS Cuts Cost The World? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:17
One year ago, the United States was winning the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Thanks largely to American leadership, infections and deaths from HIV/AIDS have dropped precipitously over the past 20 years, ever since the…
Why a U.S. Strike Against Iran May Backfire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:01
Protests sweeping Iran are unlike anything the regime has faced since coming to power in 1979. What began as demonstrations by shopkeepers in Tehran over the sharply devalued Iranian rial quickly morphed into sustained,…
The View from Denmark as Trump Threatens Greenland | Søren Lippert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:13
Danes are reeling from the aggressive nature of Donald Trump's designs on Greenland — but there is little they can do to stop the United States from acquiring the territory, whether by force or coercion. This is an odd p…
How China is Responding to the "Donroe Doctrine" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:38
I'm joined by one of my favorite fellow podcasters and Substackers, Kaiser Kuo, host of the long-running Sinica Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation on China, Venezuela, and America's shifting role in the world. We s…