Advocacy for Whom? Influence for What? Abuse of Discursive Power in International NGO Online Campaigns

Abstract

In this article, I propose a methodological framework to analyze international NGO advocacy campaigns to examine the use or abuse of their discursive power, which in itself could then lead to reflect on the use or abuse of power in their practice. The methodology is based on a reconceptualization of critical discourse analysis, where I propose an epistemological approach according to Freirean understanding of power, cultural, and dialogic structures on one hand, and a methodological approach, which introduces Arnold and Amy Mindell’s concept of deep democracy as awareness of diversity, rank, and privilege in discursive interactions. I examine the case of Amnesty International, and results yield an urgent need to question the identity that lies behind the existence of transnational NGOs in themselves.