The New Power Politics: Networks and Transnational Security Governance

The workshop series " The New Power Politics: Networks, Governance, and Global Security " examined how various networks of state and non-state actors work to address the governance of security. Participants included internationally recognized scholars who research a wide range of contemporary security issues. with support from the One Earth Future Foundation, organized a group of researchers to discuss how network theory can shed light on the governance of security issues. This memo highlights insights from this gathering relevant for practitioners designing or participating in security governance. In-text author citations refer to project abstracts, which are all listed at the end of the memo. Contemporary discourse frequently focuses on the relevance of nonstate actors' contributions to (and participation in) systems of governance. From exploring how nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) make contributions in war zones and failed states to the role international organizations play in facilitating meaningful exchange between nations, the discourse widely acknowledges a modern truism: governance is no longer the exclusive province of states. Another descriptor that is increasingly common in discussions of governance arrangements is networks. We speak frequently of advocacy networks, epistemic networks, and governance networks. Indeed, much of the governance that goes on in today's world is accomplished by various networks including some combination of national bureaucrats, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), NGOs, transnational corporations, business associations, and civil society organizations. Though they come in many shapes and sizes, these new networks of governing are crucial parts of global and local politics. This memo highlights insights from leading analysts using network theory to understand how states and nonstate actors together contribute to governance outcomes in security issues. Some Definitions The core essence of governance is steering a collective—shaping expectations, generating collective action (including the provision of " public goods, " here defined as goods that are nonexcludable and nonrivalrous in consumption; see Avant et al. 1 for more information), and otherwise " ordering " a group. The governance process involves a variety of different tasks: setting agendas, making rules, implementing and overseeing policy, enforcing rules, and adjudicating conflicts over rules. Security refers to those issues that actors worry about as threats and mobilize collective resources around (Buzan 1991) 2. The analysts who gathered for this workshop focused on an array of contemporary security challenges. Some examined power politics and the management of violence familiar to traditional views on security (e. Others explored human security or broader efforts to shape …