nonstate

In political science and international relations, nonstate refers to actors in the global arena that are not governments. The term nonstate actor describes organizations, networks, and individuals that operate across borders and influence policy, security, or public life without holding formal state authority. Nonstate actors contrast with state actors, though they may interact with or be supported by governments.

They include nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups; private sector entities such as multinational corporations and philanthropic foundations; religious, ethnic, or ideological movements; and armed nonstate actors like insurgent groups or terrorist organizations, as well as transnational advocacy networks and professional associations.

Nonstate actors contribute to diplomacy, development, humanitarian relief, and norm setting, and they can also challenge state policies or stability. Their influence stems from resources, legitimacy, networks, and expertise, which vary by context. States sometimes cooperate with nonstate actors or regulate their activities, while in other cases they seek to constrain or counter them.

Legally, nonstate actors lack formal sovereignty and voting rights in most intergovernmental forums, but many jurisdictions and international norms govern their behavior. The rising prominence of nonstate actors has fueled debates about sovereignty, accountability, transparency, and the distribution of power in global governance.