Teaching Paper: Glossary of Advocacy and Legitimacy Concepts – Comprehensive Terms for Understanding NGO Policy Influence and Civil Society Dynamics

Teaching Paper: Glossary of Advocacy and Legitimacy Concepts – Comprehensive Terms for Understanding NGO Policy Influence and Civil Society Dynamics

Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-pblplcpwinfdsmk-tp-04


Open Publication PDF →

This material forms part of the NEYA Global knowledge architecture. Institutional, organizational, professional, training, consulting, curriculum, program design, or implementation use requires an active license from NEYA Global

Explore Architecture →
Module Overview →
Request Institutional Access →

About the Article

NGO advocacy and legitimacy are complex and interconnected domains that depend on a shared conceptual foundation. This Teaching Paper compiles a comprehensive glossary of key terms that define how NGOs influence policy, build legitimacy, and navigate governance systems. Each entry provides an academically grounded definition with a practical application note for real-world NGO work. Covering over forty concepts—ranging from accountability, coalition-building, and framing to transnational networks and legitimacy paradoxes—the glossary serves as both a scholarly reference and a professional toolkit. It enables educators, practitioners, and students to speak a common language across disciplines and regions, strengthening clarity and coherence in the study and practice of advocacy and civil society engagement.

Key Topics

  • NGO advocacy and policy influence
  • Legitimacy and accountability frameworks
  • Civil society and governance
  • Transnational networks and coalitions
  • Power and participation in advocacy
  • Conceptual tools for NGO education and practice

Suggested Citation

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching Paper: Glossary of Advocacy and Legitimacy Concepts – Comprehensive Terms for Understanding NGO Policy Influence and Civil Society Dynamics. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-pblplcpwinfdsmk-tp-04

References

Bryson, J. M. (2018). Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (5th ed.). Wiley.

Edwards, M., & Hulme, D. (1996). Beyond the Magic Bullet: NGO Performance and Accountability in the Post-Cold War World. Kumarian Press.

Kingdon, J. W. (2014). Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies (2nd ed.). Pearson.

Lukes, S. (2005). Power: A Radical View (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-230-80257-5

Najam, A. (1996). NGO accountability: A conceptual framework. Development Policy Review, 14(4), 339-354.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7679.1996.tb00112.x

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Theoretical perspectives on power and influence in nonprofit policy engagement. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-pblplcpwinfdsmk-02

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Nonprofit organisations and policy influence: Power, legitimacy, and accountability in contemporary governance. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-pblplcpwinfdsmk-01

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Legitimacy and policy engagement of nonprofit organisations. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-pblplcpwinfdsmk-07

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Mechanisms of policy influence by nonprofit organisations. Neya Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies.
https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-pblplcpwinfdsmk-04

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Public Policy: Power and Influence in Decision-Making. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/public-policy-2025

Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Functions, Impact, and Identity of Civil Society. NEYA Global Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.64357/functions-impact-civil-society-2025

https://neyaglobal.com/journal-nonprofit/teaching-paper-glossary-of-advocacy-and-legitimacy-concepts--comprehensive-terms-for-understanding-ngo-policy-influence-and-civil-society-dynamics
423
October 8, 2025