Margaret E. Keck is Associate Professor of Political Science at the Johns Hopkins University. She is the author
of The Workers' Party and Democratization in Brazil.
Sikkink, Kathryn : University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Kathryn Sikkink is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Minnesota. She is the author of
Ideas and Institutions: Developmentalism in Brazil and Argentina, also from Cornell.
Review
"A masterful combination of emerging theory and empirical comparison of one of the most intriguing areas
of transnational politics. Keck and Sikkink access a broad range of theory from social movements, international
relations, and comparative politics research to glean from a wealth of their own research findings solid and thought-provoking
conclusions about the most interesting and least well-understood area of contentious politics in the world today."
--Sidney Tarrow, Cornell University (Government)
"Activists beyond Borders is a searching exploration of advocacy networks, providing compelling accounts in
areas such as human rights and environmental protection and an intriguing glimpse into the transnational politics
of the twenty-first century."
--Robert O. Keohane, Duke University
Cornell University Press Services Web Site
March, 2000
Summary
Margaret E. Keck and Kathryn Sikkink examine a type of pressure group that has been largely ignored by political
analysts: 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.
