Activists beyond Borders: Advocacy Networks in International Politics

by Margaret E. Keck, Kathryn Sikkink

Valuable reading for anyone concerned with contemporary dynamics of social change. ― International Affairs Margaret E. Keck and Kathryn Sikkink examine a type of pressure group that has been largely ignored by political networks of activists that coalesce and operate across national frontiers. Their targets may be international organizations or the policies of particular states. Historical examples of such transborder alliances include anti-slavery and woman suffrage campaigns. In the past two decades, transnational activism has had a significant impact in human rights, especially in Latin America, and advocacy networks have strongly influenced environmental politics as well. The authors also examine the emergence of an international campaign around violence against women.

Genres: International Relations, Nonfiction, Politics, Activism, Political Science, School, Sociology

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 1998

Reviews

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mission 2026: Binge reviewing all previous Reads, I was too slothful to review back when I read them

This is one of those books that quietly changes how you understand power. Activists beyond Borders argues that global politics isn’t just shaped by states and armies—it’s shaped by networks, narratives, and moral pressure. Keck and Sikkink introduce the concept of transnational advocacy networks: NGOs, activists, journalists, and institutions that coordinate across borders to influence policy. What’s radical here is the idea that power can flow sideways, not just top-down. The case studies—human rights, environmental movements, women’s rights—show how information becomes a weapon. Shame, exposure, and moral framing matter. This is politics beyond ballots and borders. The book is academically rigorous but deeply optimistic. It acknowledges limits—activism can fail, co-optation is real—but it refuses cynicism. In a world obsessed with hard power, this book insists that soft power can bend history. It’s essential reading for anyone who still believes ideas matter.

Recommended.

[Sloan Edemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this! Still relevant today

[Cold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really good social science.

[Yangling · Rating 2 out of 5]

i have never been so lost about the easiest topic ever. unanimously, the course agreed it was the worst of the first set of prescribed readings. it was interesting tho so i gotta give it that

[Cara Lynn]

Read for school

[Alex Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at transnational politics, I viewed this from the perspective of someone without much experience in this subject. The authors did a good job of explaining interesting concepts, and making the information available to a layperson.

[Fredy]

To be posted

[Mason]

An incredibly dense and theoretical explanation of the construction and implementation of transnational advocacy networks and how they affect human rights, environmental, and gender-related issues.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cite this a lot in my dissertation. Like, an obnoxious amount. It's no longer new, but it's a good foundation for thinking through some of the complexities of modern social movements.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for my International Politics class. It was pretty good.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of advocacy networks and this just sugar coated the process.