Global Political

Structures and
Processes
Emergence of global and regional political organizations

1. Political processes crossing

national borders
2. Transformation of the nation-
state
Political flows relevant to globalization

1. Movement of people (refugees,

immigrants)
2. Economic flows and multinational
corporations
3. Environmental issues and climate
change
4. Global health concerns (e.g.,
pandemics)
5. War and terrorism
6. Global inequalities
Important Terminologies

1. Nation — refers to a social group that is linked through

common descent, culture, language, or territorial continuity.
1.1. National identity — a fluid and dynamic form of collective
identity; members of the community believe that they are
different from other groups.
1.2. Nationalism — is a doctrine and/or political movement
that seeks to make the nation the basis of a political structure,
especially state.
2. State — is an organizational structure outside other
socioeconomic hierarchies with relatively autonomous office-
holders.
2.1. Sovereign — the political authority to govern or self‐govern
a people.
3. Nation-State — the integration of the sub‐groups that define
themselves as a nation with the organizational structure that
constitutes the state.
Growing interest in Universal Human Rights

As a result of growing interest in

human rights in recent years,
more people have come to define
themselves as global citizens and
have agitated against human
rights abuses throughout the
world (Monaghan and Spreen
2016).
On December 10, 1948, the UN General Assembly
approved a Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

According to Article 13:

(i) Everyone has the right to freedom of
movement and residence within the
borders of each State.

(ii) Everyone has the right to leave any

country, including his own, and to
return to his country.
The creation of International criminal court (ICC) in 2002

a venue in which those

accused of human rights
abuses could be tried and
found guilty.
Sustainability and Liquid Sovereignty

For example, global environmental flows (e.g.

global warming) have led to rising sea levels
that displace people from their land. If these
people have nowhere to go, they become
climate refugees.

This raises the issue that when the

nation‐state loses its own territory, its
legitimacy to rule its people is called into
question
Sustainability and Liquid Sovereignty

Liquid Sovereignty: In the

context of globalization, the
detachment of the political
authority to rule or self‐rule a
people from the nation‐state and
its provisional flow to other local
and/or transnational
communities.
The nation-state in the era of globalization

1. Historical context: Peace of

Westphalia (1648)
2. Components: "nation" and
"state"
3. Threats to the nation-state's
autonomy
4. Arguments in defense of the
nation-state
In defense of the nation-state

1. nation‐state continues to be the

major player on the global stage (Gilpin
2001),
2. that it retains at least some power in
the face of globalization (Conley 2002),
3. that nation‐states vary greatly in their
efficacy in the face of globalization
(Mann 2007),
4. and that the rumors of the demise of
the nation‐state are greatly
exaggerated.
Concept of "imagined communities" (Benedict Anderson)

1. Characteristics
of an imagined
nation
2. Role of print
capitalism
3. Impact of
digital media
on imagined
communities
Changes in global nation-state relations

1. Historical context: From WWII alliances

to post-Cold War fluidity
2. Emergence of new global powers: The
European Union, China, and the United
States as the "Big Three"
3. Challenges to traditional power
structures: Brexit and its implications
Strengths of the European Union

1. Expansive membership: The EU has grown to 28

members (pre-Brexit), with potential for further
expansion.
2. Economic power: It surpassed the US as the world's
largest economic market.
3. Technological leadership: The EU remains at the
forefront of technological developments.
4. Strong manufacturing base: Particularly in countries
like Germany.
5. Social and political model: Many EU countries serve
as progressive models for economic and social
rights.
 Challenges and Brexit

Brexit, the UK's decision to leave the EU, represents a significant

challenge:
1. Potential economic impacts: Estimates suggest significant
declines in trade between the UK and EU.
2. Loss of a major economy: The UK was one of the top three
economies in the EU.
3. Financial sector implications: London's role as a global financial
hub may be affected.
4. Increased costs for remaining members: Other countries may
need to shoulder more of the EU's operational costs.

Beyond Brexit, the EU faces other challenges:

1. Rising nationalism and anti-immigrant sentiment in several
member countries.
2. Austerity measures in some nations leading to public protests
and dissatisfaction with EU policies.
3. Varying levels of support for EU integration among member
states.
Future Prospects

1.Balancing national sovereignty with

collective decision-making.
2.Addressing economic disparities
between member states.
3.Managing the ongoing refugee crisis
and immigration policies.
4.Adapting to changing global power
dynamics, particularly with the rise of
China.
Despite these challenges, the EU
continues to be a significant
player in global affairs, with its
economic power, diplomatic
influence, and commitment to
multilateralism shaping
international relations.
China’s rise as
global power
China has emerged as a major player in
global politics, with its influence expanding
across various domains. Here's a detailed
look at China's growing global presence:
Economic Prowess

1.World's largest trading nation: As of

2012, China surpassed the United States
in global trade volume.
2.Global investments: China continues to
acquire major companies in the United
States and Europe, expanding its
economic reach.
3.Resource acquisition: China is securing
access to natural resources worldwide,
including oil, gas, and minerals.
China’s growing political presence:

1.International Engagement
2.Domestic Development
3.Military Ambitions
4.Scientific Advancements
Global leadership

Despite economic growth slowing to 6.9%

in 2017, China continues to position itself
as a global leader. President Xi Jinping's
commitment to economic globalization,
contrasting with the "America First" policy,
signals China's readiness to take on a more
prominent role in international affairs.
Challenges and future prospect

While China's rise is undeniable, it faces

challenges such as slowing economic
growth and international scrutiny. However,
its continued investments in science,
technology, and global infrastructure
suggest that China will likely play an
increasingly significant role in shaping
global politics in the coming years.
United Nations and Global Governance

1. Established on October 24, 1945

2. Premier global organization in
politics
3. State-centric structure with 193
member states (as of 2018)
4. Key organs: Security Council and
General Assembly
5. Four main areas of focus:
military, economic,
environmental, and human
protection issues
Key aspects of the UN

1. Structure: The UN is organized around member

states, emphasizing its state-centric nature.
This structure contrasts with theories
suggesting the decline of nation-states due to
globalization.
2. Major organs: The Security Council is
responsible for maintaining international peace
and security, while the General Assembly
serves as the main deliberative body.
3. Operational challenges: The UN faces chronic
budget limitations, which hamper its ability to
function effectively.
The UN’s four primary areas of focus

1. Military issues: The UN plays a role in

managing peace and security, particularly in
inter-state relations. It has expanded its
activities to include interventions in civil wars,
election monitoring, and human rights
oversight.
2. Economic issues: The organization promotes
actions aimed at reducing global inequality.
3. Environmental issues: The UN Environment
Programme addresses concerns such as climate
change and hazardous waste management.
4. Human protection: The UN sponsors various
treaties and agreements to protect human
rights globally.
Two important agencies of UN

1. United Nations Conference on Trade

and Development (UNCTAD): Created
in 1964 to improve the economic
situation of less developed nations
and their relationships with developed
countries.
2. United Nations Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Established in 1946, focusing on
education, natural and social
sciences, and culture.
The relationship between the UN and the
United States is complex. While the US
played a crucial role in the UN's creation
and remains its largest financial contributor,
the organization's influence is limited
compared to that of the US government.
 The Rise of Global Governance

Global governance (legal pluralism) goes

beyond the traditional forms of
cooperation between sovereign
nation‐states (e.g. interstate diplomacy,
treaties, and international law) to include
a broader variety of networked
organizations and individuals that had
not previously participated directly in
creating and enforcing norms and rules.

Governance refers to the“processes and institutions, formal and informal, whereby rules arecreated, compliance
is elicited, and goods are provided in pursuit ofcollective goals” (Hale and Held 2011: 12).
The Rise of Global Governance

1. Multistakeholder initiatives
2. Voluntary regulatory systems
3. Transnational arbitration bodies
4. Governance of the world
economy
Civil Society and
Global Governance
Civil society plays a crucial role in global
governance by providing a platform for
diverse voices and interests to be
represented in international decision-
making processes.
Historical roots and developments

1. Ancient roots: Concepts of civility and

civil society can be traced back to
ancient philosophers like Aristotle.
2. Modern emergence: John Keane dates
the modern concept of civil society to
around 1500, coinciding with the
West's global expansion.
3. 19th-century distinction: Civil society
becomes distinguished from the
state-dominated realm of laws.
Key thinkers and their contribution

1. G.W.F. Hegel: Redefined civil society as

existing between family and state, allowing
for direct individual participation.
2. Alexis de Tocqueville: Emphasized the
importance of non-political associations in
American society.
3. Antonio Gramsci: Distinguished civil society
from the market, state, and family, viewing it
as a realm for challenging hegemony.
Modern development of Civil Society

1. Post-World War II expansion: The modern

civil society movement gained momentum
after WWII.
2. 1970s and 1980s significance: Mary Kaldor
highlights the importance of this period,
especially in Latin America and Eastern
Europe.
3. Globalization of civil society: Improved
communication and travel facilitated global
linkages among civil society groups.
Defining Civil Society

1. Kaldor's definition: A process of

negotiation, argument, and struggle
among individuals and with centers of
authority.
2. Key components: Voluntary associations,
movements, parties, and unions.
3. Ideal function: To act as a counterbalance
to political and economic forces.
Global Civil Society

1. Shift from nation-state focus: Civil society

has become increasingly global in recent
years.
2. Keane's definition: A dynamic, non-
governmental system of interconnected
socio-economic institutions spanning the
globe.
3. Key characteristics: Non-governmental,
societal, civil, pluralistic, and global in
nature.
Relationship with the Market

1. Keane's perspective: The market is deeply

implicated in civil society; they are
mutually dependent.
2. Positive interactions: Markets can have a
civilizing effect on civil society.
3. Negative impacts: Capitalist markets can
also disrupt and dominate civil society
institutions.
Contemporary challenges and developments

1. Ongoing project: Civil society is viewed as

an unfinished and ever-present project,
especially in the era of globalization.
2. Neoliberal influence: Recent years have seen
the emergence of market-oriented NGOs,
challenging traditional notions of civil
society.
3. Diverse movements: Global civil society now
encompasses a wide range of movements,
from environmental activism to human rights
advocacy.
Role of Civil Society in Global Governance

1. Advocacy and agenda-setting

2. Monitoring and accountability
3. Expertise and knowledge sharing
4. Implementation of global initiatives
Examples of Civil Society Engagement in Global Governance

1. United Nations Economic and Social Council

(ECOSOC): Provides a formal consultative
status for NGOs, allowing them to participate
in UN processes.
2. World Bank Inspection Panel: Allows affected
communities and civil society groups to
request investigations into World Bank-
funded projects.
3. Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria: Includes civil society
representatives on its board and in country-
level decision-making processes.
Definition and characteristics

1. Definition: International not-for-profit

organizations performing public
functions, not established or run by
nation-states.
2. Key characteristics: Private, voluntary,
non-profit, and oriented towards
social/political change.
3. Examples: BRAC, Médecins Sans
Frontières, Oxfam, Mercy Corps.
International
Non-
Governmental
Organizations
(INGOs)
Historical development

1. Origins: Traceable to the 19th

century (e.g., International Red
Cross founded in 1865).
2. Recent growth: Significant
increase in number and influence
in recent years.
Sources of power and influence

1. Rational-moral authority: Derived from

claims of representing universal human
interests.
2. Neutrality and
disinterestedness: Enhances moral
power and credibility.
3. Framing global policy issues: Influential
in areas like human rights,
environment, and education.
Strengths and advantages

1. Grassroots connections: Often more in

touch with local needs than larger
organizations.
2. Effectiveness: Frequently more efficient
in achieving goals, especially in crisis
situations.
3. Media attention: Skilled at garnering
public and media support for their
causes.
Notable achievements

1. 1992 Greenhouse Gas Treaty: Marked

increased involvement in decision-
making processes.
2. 1997 Landmine Ban Treaty: Significant
success involving approximately 1000
NGOs across 60 countries.
Criticisms and challenges

1. Narrow focus: May prioritize specific interests over

broader concerns.
2. Lack of accountability: Often not democratically
elected or transparent in operations.
3. Elitism: Potential dominance by well-educated
individuals from developed countries.
4. Media manipulation: Risk of exaggerating issues for
attention and funding.
5. Neoliberal influence: Potential to inadvertently
further neoliberal agendas.
Relationships with intergovernmental organizations (IGO)

1. Formal involvement: Increasing

participation in IGOs, especially the
United Nations.
2. Benefits: Increased legitimacy and
potential for funding for INGOs;
efficiency and legitimacy for IGOs.
3. Risks: Potential for co-optation,
bureaucratization, and loss of
autonomy for INGOs.
FUTURE OUTLOOK

1. democracy and emancipation.

2. Challenges: Balancing grassroots
connections with global influence,
maintaining independence.
3. Opportunities: Potential to shape
global governance and address
transnational issues.