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
Famine in Gaza — A Political and Humanitarian Tipping Point? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:20
"The worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip." That was the conclusion of a July 29 report by the leading global authority on food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classificat…
A New Study Shows that Sanctions Kill As Many People As War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:43
A groundbreaking new study published in the British medical journal The Lancet Global Health finds that unilateral economic sanctions—most of which are imposed by the United States—lead to approximately 564,000 excess de…
The Global Backlash Against Gender Equality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:19
A furious backlash against gender equality, women's rights, and LGBTQ rights is sweeping the globe. In a new report for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, my guest today, Saskia Brechenmacher, shows that thi…
Nigeria's Herder-Farmer Violence is Escalating [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:38
The farmer-herder conflict in Nigeria is a long-running and deadly struggle over land and resources, primarily between nomadic herders—mostly from the Fulani ethnic group—and settled farming communities. Driven by factor…
What the NATO Summit Tells Us About The Future of European Security [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:56
The leaders of NATO met in The Hague on June 25th for a rather truncated meeting with a limited agenda. Unlike recent NATO summits, this one did not focus much on the war in Ukraine, countering China, or other broad inte…