Turtles and teargas. The environmental NGOs versus the WTO

NGOs and transnational coalitions are beginning to play a more tone-setting role in international politics. Even the World Trade Organisation (WTO), w hich has traditionally had little contact with non-governmental actors, is now feeling this influence. The demonstrations that took place during the M inisterial Conference in Seattle illustrate the scope and strength of a gro wing transnational society. The influence of the environmental NGOs (ENGOs) on the WTO illustrates how transnational, non-governmental actors - despite power-political, instituti onal and ideological barriers - can exercise influence on an international organisation in what has traditionally been a state-dominated issue area. T he ENGOs have limited access to WTO's political processes, but some moderat e ENGOs have nevertheless had great success in affecting WTO's dispute reso lution process. The outcome of the Seattle Conference illustrates a new cha nnel of influence for the ENGOs - multilateral negotiations. "The Battle in Seattle" not only demonstrated WTO's lack of openness, but also increased the layperson's awareness of its existence.