Aspects of International Governance

International relations (IR) once seen as mainly an inter-governmental affair

Sovereign states the basic units in the international system

This neo-realist view increasingly challenged in the era of globalisation◦ Complex inter-dependence eg financial markets◦ Non-government actors in global system eg World

Bank, multinational corporations, civil society organisations

Different systems of rule of transnational character – ‘governance without government’

States are ◦ single most important units◦ equal units◦ Rational◦ Pursue their national security interests◦ Unitary◦ Change in foreign policy results from change in

international system

The international system is◦ Anarchic◦ No sovereign above states◦ No world government to guarantee that law and

order is upheld on a global level States are always busy

◦ Preparing for war◦ Actively engaging in war or◦ Recovering from war

Go to war because fear other states will attack them

Liberals criticise the heavy focus neo-realists place on states

Other actors are important◦ Individuals travel more◦ Trade between countries◦ Transnational corporations◦ Political movements◦ International organisations

International transactions have increased enormously since end of Second World War

Now complex interdependence◦ Some states so integrated with others that war

can be ruled out (cooperative relations)◦ Trade and other trans-border flows rule out

military force as means of solving disputes◦ Means that some states not strong militarily but

could be strong economically◦ Distinction between domestic policy and foreign

policy blurred

‘Globalisation denotes the expanding scale, growing magnitude, speeding up and deepening impact of interregional flows and patterns of social interaction’ (Held and McGrew 2000)

‘A quiet revolution’ (Annan 1998) Neo-realists recognise changes but don’t

think they are radical ‘Democratic globalists’ see possibility of

building global governance system

Dimensions of globalization (Held et al 1999)◦ Political◦ Organised violence◦ Trade and markets◦ Finance◦ Corporate power and global production networks◦ Migration◦ Culture◦ Environment

Has the policy-making autonomy of the state declined?◦ States have to conform to global financial

markets◦ States’ response to global markets may be

differentiated Neoliberals argue for minimum state role in

economy (provide and enabling environment for market)

Others argue that economic success has been because of state action

States are the most important actors in the international system◦Neo-realists: states cannot be bound by rules eg

US didn’t sign Kyoto agreement, put tariffs on agricultural products

◦Pluralists: states bound by rules; international law of sovereignty and principle of non-intervention

Global governance is what governments can agree on

There are global governance processes that go beyond states◦ Liberalism/solidarism includes NGOs, citizens’

movements, multinational corporations and global capital market as global actors as well as governments

◦ Global governance is about a framework of rules to tackle global issues guaranteed by a set of institutions

◦ Multiplication of global regimes

ADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

IGOs have members which are states NGOs have members who are private

individuals and groups Numbers of both have grown enormously

◦ 1909 = 37 IGOs and 176 NGOs◦ 1991 = 4917 international organisations with

118,000 memberships Only 18 IGOs are general purpose Most IGOs enage in narrow range of

activities

Range of stated purpose

Geographic scope of membership

Multiple purpose Single purpose

Global •United Nations•World Trade Organization•UNESCO

•World Health Organization•International Labour Organisation•International Monetary Fund

Interregional, regional,subregional

•European Union•Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe•Orhganization of American States•League of Arab States•South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

•Nordic Council•North Atlantic Treaty Organization•International Olive Oil Council•International North Pacific Fisheries Commission

A classification of IGOs

UN is best known international organisation Almost universal membership Article 1 of Charter

◦ Maintain international peace and security;◦ Develop friendly relations between nations based

on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples;

◦ Achieve international cooperation in solving international problem,s

◦ Centre for harmonizing actions of nations to attain these ends

Involved in a very broad range of issues from conflict resolution and peace-keeping to welfare and environment (even postal services)

For example, for development ◦ UNDP, ESCAP, UNIFEM, WFP, FAO, UNEP, UNCTAD◦ ILO, WFC, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNCHS, ITC

World Bank Group is under the Economic and Social Council of the UN

IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA

Both rich and poor countries have used the UN to advance their own foreign policy goals

Has been a source of considerable aid to developing countries

Broad-based conferences favoured by developing countries

Others not so keen – ‘ill-informed participation’ by states not involved in the issue

Criticised for excessive bureaucracy, interference and beset by money woes – also seen by some as a waste of money with too much authority

Global governance in the 21st century is distinctive◦ Policy problems can cut across several distinct

issue areas (eg HIV/AIDS; global warming)◦ States and IGOs no longer the only important

global actors for dealing with international problems (eg NGOs, private sector, expert communities, social movements)

◦ No single model of global governance for all issues

Who governs access to the Internet? Who controls means of access and physical

infrastructure? Who controls functionality and technical

quality? Who controls online activities? Previous global communication rules no use Different parties with different interests Internet Governance Forum (IGF) commenced

2006 – annual meetings - recommends

UNAIDS used a network approach to HIV/AIDS involving public, private and non-governmental actors

Dissatisfaction among partners led to rethink

The Global Fund aims to fight malaria, TB and AIDS◦ Independent institution◦ Multiple stakeholders for public, private and NG◦ Multisectoral participation from funding to

implementation

Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) commenced 2003◦ To halt production and trade in illicit ‘conflict’

diamonds◦ Minimise government revenue losses◦ Involves states (74), private sector and NGOs◦ Introduces validated certificates of compliance for

diamond shipments Government commitment questionable in

some countries

There are 3 leading challenges for institutions that address global governance issues◦ Legitimacy◦ Accountability◦ Effectiveness