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Lesson 5

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14 views

Lesson 5

Uploaded by

Lean Madjos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHAPTER I: STRUCTURES OF GLOBALIZATION

LESSON 4: CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL GOVERNANCE


Although the idea of a single world government is improbable given the current system of sovereign
states, powerful forces in the international arena significantly influence global decisions and affairs.
This lesson will examine global governance, an essential phenomenon in the international system.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1. Identify the roles and functions of the United Nations;
2. Identify the challenges of global governance in the 21st century; and
3. Explain the relevance of the state amid globalization
CONCEPT BANK
Global Governance refers to the collective efforts of countries and organizations to manage worldwide
issues (Dingwerth & Pattberg, 2006).
International Organizations are entities established by formal political agreements between their
members that have the status of international treaties.
DISCUSSION NOTES
Global Governance
Global governance refers to the collective efforts of countries and organizations to manage worldwide
issues (Dingwerth and Pattberg, 2006). It's not a formal world government but a system for international
cooperation to address problems affecting the entire planet (Weiss & Wilkinson, 2014). This system
involves various actors, including national governments, international organizations like the United
Nations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multinational companies. Global governance
tackles significant challenges such as climate change, poverty, global health crises, and maintaining
peace between nations. It operates through international forums where countries meet to discuss
issues, create agreements, and establish international laws.
REFLECTION POINT
Where does the power in global governance come from?
Dive deeper: Learn about the sources of global governance
International Organizations (IO) and the United Nations (UN)
According to the United Nations (UN), international organizations are entities established by formal
political agreements between their members that have the status of international treaties (United
Nations, n.d.). These organizations play a crucial role in global governance and international relations.
The UN recognizes two main types of international organizations:
1. Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs): These are organizations composed primarily of
sovereign states (referred to as member states). IGOs are established by treaty or other
agreements under international law and possess a permanent secretariat to perform ongoing
tasks.
2. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): These are private organizations (associations,
federations, unions, institutes, groups) not established by a government or intergovernmental
agreement, which are capable of playing a role in international affairs by virtue of their activities,
and whose members exercise voting rights in relation to policies or action of the organization.
It’s important to note that while the UN makes this distinction, it also recognizes that some organizations
may have characteristics of both IGOs and NGOs or may involve partnerships between different types
of actors. However, for operational and legal purposes, the UN primarily uses these two categories
when discussing international organizations.
REFLECTION POINT
What is the role of the United Nations in addressing global problems?
Dive deeper: Learn about the United Nations and the challenges of 21st-century global governance
The role of the state amidst globalization
Despite predictions that states might become less important because of globalization, they're still vital
in how the world works. Globalization has changed how countries use their power, but they've adapted
and are still crucial.
States have evolved to navigate the globalizing world, and countries have found new ways to deal with
a more connected world. Weiss (2005) says that globalization actually makes countries stronger in
some ways. Countries are actively involved in global issues and often take on more responsibilities to
regulate and coordinate solutions.
It should also be noted that states maintain primacy in matters of national security and sovereignty in
their relations with other states. States are still the main players when it comes to keeping their people
safe and making their own decisions. Krasner (1999) points out that countries have always had to deal
with influences from outside their borders, so this isn't really new.
Finally, states remain the primary actors in the global governance of global issues like climate change
or global health crises. States are still very important when it comes to solving big global problems like
climate change or health crises. Governments around the world work together to tackle these issues,
especially within their borders.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Contemporary global governance encourages state-led actions to address global challenges.
Although no global government exists, global governance exists through international
organizations, state cooperation, and legal agreements.
• International Organizations, like the UN, have become important avenues for state interaction
and the maintenance of world order.
• While globalization has transformed the international landscape, states continue to play crucial
roles in economic management, security provision, and addressing global challenges. Rather
than becoming irrelevant, states have adapted to remain central actors in the globalized world,
often finding new ways to assert their influence and importance.

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