Overview: Global civil societies are diverse, ranging from large organizations like Oxfam to smaller ones like Operation Hunger in South Africa. They have grown in response to perceived flaws in global institutions like the World Bank and IMF. Many civil society groups aim to foster social change and help 'victims' of globalization.

Key points

• Global civil societies include a diverse range of organizations, differing in size, intent, and practices.
• Rise of NGOs: Discontent with undemocratic global institutions led to the rise of NGOs representing marginalized groups.
• NGO Statistics: These range from the fact that in 1960, every country had citizens in 122 NGOs, rising to over 500 by 1990, to the presence of over 2 million NGOs in the USA.
• Broad alliances within NGOs: Examples include the global environmental movement, anti-globalization movement, and global women’s movement.

Examples: Well-known NGOs include Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Médecins sans Frontières.

Real World Application: Some people actively resist harmful globalizing practices by boycotting certain products or companies (e.g., GM crops or Shell and BP during the oil price surge of 2013–2014). Others choose positive actions like buying Fair Trade products.

Overview: Global civil societies are crucial players in pushing for transparency, accountability, and social change in global institutions, despite being less powerful than governments and international organizations. They can place new issues on the international agenda, affecting changes in policies.

Key points

• Global civil societies work on creating more equitable global systems, promoting free media and access to information, and ensuring accountability and transparency.
• Many global civil societies agree that major globalizing bodies like the World Bank and IMF favor rich western countries over others.

Real World Example: Shell's activities in Nigeria have been met with protests, with global civil societies raising issues about economic, environmental, and social exploitation.