ABSTRACT

Guided by the multi-theoretical, multilevel (MTML) framework, this study draws from the World Polity Theory and World System Theory to examine factors shaping the structure and evolution of an international human rights network which included INGOs, IGOs, and countries as key players. Using a longitudinal research design and network modeling, this study collected data from 197 countries and revealed a consistent increase of their participation in the networks over a period of 10 years and also the tendency to stabilize. Nonetheless, structural inequality has persisted over time, which was reinforced by endogenous network configurations such as centrality and transitivity at the country level. Exogenous variables such as a country’s economic development, press freedom, and human rights performance-based reputation all contributed to the evolution of this international alliance network. Theoretical and practical implications on how communication and collaboration between countries may play a role in influencing a country’s human right performance are discussed.

摘要

在多理论，多层次（MTML）框架的指导下，本研究借鉴了世界政治理论和世界系统理论，研究了构成国际人权网络结构和演变的因素，其中包括国际非政府组织，政府间组织和国家作为主要参与者。使用纵向研究设计和网络建模，该研究收集了197个国家/地区的数据，并揭示了它们在10年内对网络的参与程度不断提高，并且趋于稳定。但是，结构性不平等随着时间的流逝而继续存在，内在的网络配置（例如国家一级的中心性和可传递性）加剧了结构性不平等。一个国家的经济发展，新闻自由，以及基于人权绩效的声誉都为这个国际联盟网络的发展做出了贡献。讨论了关于国家之间的交流与协作如何影响一个国家的人权表现的理论和实践意义。