Convergence or Divergence of Ideas, Norms, and Principles in the Atlantic? The Case of Transnational Environmental Networks

Scientific paper, nº. 10

This paper is part of a wider investigation into the emergence (or not) of an Atlantic ‘space’. In other words whether the idea of a ‘pan-Atlantic area’ is a viable political, social, and cultural concept. More specifically, it explores whether or not the Atlantic space can be characterized as an area of normative convergence. To do so the paper employs insights from the
literatures on policy convergence and policy transfer and in particular the ‘soft’ transfer of policy inputs through transnational networks. Rather than attempt to map the intangible transfer of ideas, norms, and principles across the Atlantic space, the approach taken here is to map the structures through which soft transfer can potentially take place. An analysis of online survey
data from 150 environmental NGOs based in Europe, Africa and the Americas reveals a concentration of transnational networks within the Atlantic space, which could potentially contribute to the convergence of ideas, norms, and principles in the area. In this way, the paper argues that the pattern of transnational networks observed provides some supporting evidence of the emergence of an Atlantic space.