Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have become critical actors in global politics, functioning alongside states, international organizations, and multinational corporations. While traditionally International Relations as a discipline placed emphasis on the role of sovereign states as the primary actors, the increasing influence of NGOs has compelled scholars to reconsider the dynamics of global governance and the complexity of international interactions. NGOs operate across borders, advancing humanitarian, developmental, environmental, and human rights agendas, thereby shaping both the theory and practice of international relations in contemporary times. Their role reflects the changing nature of sovereignty, legitimacy, and authority in world politics, especially in the context of globalization and transnational networks. From a theoretical perspective, realism historically dismissed NGOs as peripheral actors, arguing that power and security considerations drive international politics, and only states with their military and economic capabilities matter in shaping outcomes. However, the liberal institutionalist school of thought emphasizes the importance of non-state actors, international institutions, and interdependence, seeing NGOs as central to promoting cooperation, reducing conflict, and addressing global issues beyond the capacity of states alone. Constructivist theories go further by highlighting how NGOs influence global norms, identities, and ideas, shaping what states perceive as legitimate behavior. Thus, the rise of NGOs in global politics provides a clear case for the limitations of state-centric theories and the importance of pluralistic approaches in International Relations. Practically, NGOs play multiple roles in global politics. First, they function as advocates, drawing international attention to issues that might otherwise remain invisible. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch mobilize public opinion and lobby governments and international organizations to take action against abuses. In this sense, NGOs act as norm entrepreneurs, influencing agenda-setting in international forums and creating pressure on states to adhere to universal standards of justice and rights. Their advocacy campaigns often highlight the gap between states’ commitments under international law and their actual practices, thereby challenging the legitimacy of governments that fail to comply with global norms. Second, NGOs act as service providers in humanitarian and development contexts. Organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors