This research has sought to increase understanding of NGO influence in the international system. The piece identifies "issue framing" as a useful concept for analysis, and focuses on two aspects of this process. Firstly, the way in which issues are interpreted and communicated to make them publicly accessible. Secondly, the role of external factors in this process.
This dissertation seeks to highlight the strategic behavior of actors in the issue framing process. The paper uses a single case study, formally launched in April 2009, from a campaign being run by Jubilee Debt Campaign on vulture funds. "Process-tracing" was used to identify the extent to which the empirical example coincided with a theoretical framework. This enabled a more systematic analysis of the framing process and provided an opportunity for the conceptual and theoretical development of the current literature on the framing process.
The theoretical framework used was the ideal-type frame developed by Gerhards in 1995. Clear links were identified between the five dimensions of this "ideal-type frame" and the empirical frame. The way in which the issue was interpreted and communicated demonstrated that the actors involved in the framing process were aware of the framing characteristics required to mobilize public support and sought to use them in the development of a campaign. In addition, the influence of external factors on each of the five dimensions was identified, including; political opportunity, cultural context and target audience. Again, the results demonstrated organizational awareness of these factors and deliberate attempts to use them to their advantage.
Catherine Mann recently completed a MSc in Global Governance and Ethics at Univeristy College London, and now works for the Economic and Social Research Council. Her thesis research is based on nine months spent working at Jubilee Debt Campaign.
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June 10, 2010
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