The Link between Standard-Setting NGO’s Legitimacy and Effectiveness: An Exploration of Social Mechanisms

Abstract

When we talk about NGOs and their legitimacy, it is common to distinguish between advocacy NGOs on the one hand, and service provision NGOs on the other (see Franz and Martens, 2006). While the former are often evaluated in terms of the authenticity of their claim to represent others (Hahn, 2008; Mallaby, 2004), the standard currency for judging the latter are the relative efficiency and effectiveness with which an organisation provides its services and the contribution of its services to the common good (Frantz and Martens, 2006). However — and this volume provides a number of examples — the discussion about NGOs and their legitimacy more and more tends to include an evaluation of NGOs in much broader terms, such as inclusiveness, transparency, or accountability. In a move that some have interpreted as a ‘backlash against civil society’ (Clark, 2003, pp. 169–85), the legitimacy of NGOs is publicly challenged and NGOs that demand democracy or accountability are increasingly asked ‘How democratic are you?’, ‘To whom are you accountable?’ and ‘Who do you speak for and what is your claim to speak for others based on?’.