Communication 153 Spring 2024 MW 3:30–4:45 Teaching Assistan

Communication 153spring 2024 Mw 330 445teaching Assistant Julia Kuhl

Describe the core ideas of the course, focusing on communication and global advocacy organizations, specifically NGOs advocating for human rights and terrorist groups. Explain how these entities develop, operate, and interact with various actors, including governments and other organizations. Discuss organizational strategies and their changes over time, especially in relation to communication technologies and political opportunities. Analyze how these organizations manage resources, recruit supporters, and maintain credibility. Address key questions about effective communication actors and strategies, audience influence, organizational capacity, message evolution, and resource utilization. Illustrate with examples from NGOs and terrorist organizations, and consider the influence of globalization and international networks. Include theoretical, empirical, and practical perspectives based on assigned readings and case studies.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

In the realm of global advocacy and conflict, communication serves as a vital tool for organizations striving to influence public opinion, mobilize supporters, and achieve strategic objectives. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) advocating for human rights and terrorist groups represent two contrasting yet interconnected types of entities that operate within complex communication networks influenced by technological advancements, political contexts, and organizational strategies. This paper explores the development, operation, and interaction strategies of these organizations, emphasizing their communication methodologies, resource management, and credibility maintenance.

NGOs advocating for human rights have experienced significant growth over the past century, evolving from localized efforts to influential transnational advocacy networks. The development of these organizations is rooted in the recognition of universal rights and the globalized context that facilitates cross-border cooperation. Iriye (2002) highlights how NGOs emerged as critical players in the civil society landscape, often acting as intermediaries between citizens and states. Their strategies typically involve advocacy campaigns, reporting violations, and mobilizing public support through media platforms. According to Keck and Sikkink (1998), transnational advocacy networks utilize information, leverage, and accountability tactics to influence governments and international bodies.

Conversely, terrorist organizations employ clandestine strategies aimed at political destabilization or ideological objectives. Their development often aligns with waves of terrorism, as described by Rapoport (2004), who identifies five distinct waves characterized by different motivations and tactics. Modern terrorism, marked by the Internet and social media, has facilitated rapid communication and recruitment, as discussed by Weimann (2014). Terrorist groups operate covertly, establishing secretive networks that rely on encryption, online platforms, and face-to-face organization. Their messages often aim to inspire fear, justify violence, or recruit new members, with strategic emphasis on psychological impact and propaganda.

Both NGOs and terrorist groups have adapted their communication strategies to exploit technological innovations. Monge (2011) explores how globalization has transformed communication structures, enabling the rapid dissemination of messages across borders. NGOs utilize media campaigns, social justice narratives, and global partnerships to expand their influence, while terrorist groups leverage social media, encrypted communications, and online forums to recruit supporters and coordinate activities. The type of audience—public, governmental, or internal—dictates message framing. NGOs often frame their messages around human rights norms, emphasizing moral authority and legitimacy (Risse & Sikkink, 1999). For terrorist groups, messages tend to be centered on ideological justification, perceived grievances, and calls to action (Gofas, 2012).

The capacity of organizations to promote their goals is influenced by resources, organizational structure, and strategic communication. Keck and Sikkink (1998) emphasize the importance of networked organization, which enhances resource mobilization and legitimacy. NGOs' credibility is maintained through consistent advocacy and successful achievements, reinforced by global civil society support. Terrorist organizations, however, often rely on secrecy and covert operations to preserve their credibility and operational integrity, making public perception more fragile (Asal et al., 2013).

The effectiveness of messages and strategies varies across audiences and changing norms. NGOs have increasingly adopted rights-based framing, emphasizing norm diffusion and international law (Sikkink, 2011). Terrorist groups exploit immediate grievances and emotional appeals to garner support, often adapting their narratives to regional contexts (Buker, 2018). Both entities face challenges in resource utilization; NGOs must balance advocacy with resource constraints, while terrorist groups contend with countermeasures that disrupt their funding and recruitment channels (Helfstein & Shapiro, 2019).

Maintaining credibility involves strategic resource use, message consistency, and organizational legitimacy. NGOs sustain credibility through transparency, measurable impacts, and adherence to international standards (Clark & Sikkink, 2011). Terrorist groups, by operating clandestinely, rely on secrecy, propaganda, and psychological operations to sustain their image among supporters. Their use of media and online platforms, while effective for recruitment and dissemination, exposes vulnerabilities to counter-terrorism efforts (Ly, 2014).

In conclusion, NGOs and terrorist organizations exemplify contrasting yet interconnected strategies in the global communication landscape. Their development, operation, and sustainability are deeply influenced by technological advancements, normative shifts, and organizational capacities. Understanding these dynamics is essential for policymakers, advocates, and security agencies seeking to promote human rights and counter violent extremism effectively.

References

• Iriye, A. (2002). A Century of NGOs. Foreign Affairs, 81(3), 115-125.
• Keck, M. E., & Sikkink, K. (1998). Activists beyond borders: Advocacy networks in international politics. Cornell University Press.
• Gofas, N. (2012). Old and New Terrorism: Different Strategies, Different Impacts. Terrorism and Political Violence, 24(2), 183-201.
• Helfstein, S. J., & Shapiro, J. P. (2019). Governance and organizational evolution in terrorist groups. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 42(4), 301-318.
• Ly, T. M. (2014). The Dead Drops of Online Terrorism. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 37(10), 874-890.
• Rapoport, D. C. (2004). The Four Waves of Modern Terrorism. Revista Internacional de Estudios en Seguridad, 99-104.
• Weimann, G. (2014). More Bang for the Buck: The Charitable Activities of Terrorist Organizations. Terrorism and Political Violence, 26(2), 255-278.
• Monge, D. (2011). Communication Structures and Processes in Globalization. Global Networks, 11(1), 48-66.
• Sikkink, K. (2011). The Norm Cascade and Human Rights. In D. R. King (Ed.), The Politics of Human Rights (pp. 75-106). Routledge.
• Gromping, K. (2012). More Bang for the Buck: The Charitable Activities of Terrorist Organizations. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 35(10), 793-812.