This book reflects a longstanding personal interest in nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and environmental struggles, focusing on the theoretical understanding around notions of moral capital and moral entrepreneurship in relation to NGOs. The importance of NGO strategic action needs to be kept in full view. Such action requires, in turn, assessment of three inter-related strategies, the first of which is that of political strategy, or the manner in which an NGO addresses its political relationships. This strategy comprises critical engagement with state agencies and constructive engagement ... More

This book reflects a longstanding personal interest in nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and environmental struggles, focusing on the theoretical understanding around notions of moral capital and moral entrepreneurship in relation to NGOs. The importance of NGO strategic action needs to be kept in full view. Such action requires, in turn, assessment of three inter-related strategies, the first of which is that of political strategy, or the manner in which an NGO addresses its political relationships. This strategy comprises critical engagement with state agencies and constructive engagement with local communities. The second component is financial strategy. The way in which an organization addresses financial need while accounting for noneconomic considerations is assessed, and it is suggested that a strong impetus to promote financial autonomy can determine where an NGO seeks funding and what it does once it has found it. The effort to map the mission can take on a life of its own such that spatial and territorial dynamics add an edge to the quest for moral capital. This is seen in the pursuit of area-based reputations as a means of attaining spatial economies of scale in the dissemination of a good name.