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ITM Master 2. Sem. |
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Tu. 08.15-11.30 h S 06 4 SWS Course Workload: 60 h classroom work / 120 h self-study ECTS points: 6 Examination: Presentation (25%), Assignment paper (12 pages p.P.) (75%)
Political Dimension of Globalisation
From Münster to Brussels to Beijing
Empires were based on dynasties, trading empires on economics rather than politics. Example: Hanse.
Nation states centralize power and establish (by force) an internationally established system of sovereign legal entities. Example: Yi to Beautiful land.
National governments lose power to TNCs, but international political institutions gain power. Example: Too big to fail.
The globalization of world politics
• Governments can no longer control the flow of information across the borders of their country. • Improved communications make it more likely that NGOs will operate transnationally and make it very simple and cheap for them to do so. • International organizations are structures for political communication. They are systems that constrain the behaviour of their members. • Governments form intergovernmental organizations and transnational actors form international non-governmental organizations. In addition governments and transnational actors accord each other equal status by jointly creating hybrid international NGOs. • A simple concept of power will not explain outcomes. Military and economic resources are not the only capabilities: communication facilities, information, authority, and status are also important political assets. In addition, an ability to use the interaction processes to mobilize support will contribute to influence over policy. • TNCs gain influence through the control of economic resources. NGOs gain influence through possessing information, gaining high status and communicating effectively. TNCs and NGOs have been the main source of economic and political change in global politics.
Global Political Decision-Making: Example United Nations • The United Nations was established to preserve peace between states after the Second World War. • The institutions of the United Nations reflect lessons learned from its predecessor, the League of Nations. • The institutions and mechanisms of the United Nations reflect both the demands of Great Power politics (ie. Security Council veto) and universalism. • After the cold war, it became more difficult for states and diplomats to accept that what happened within states was of no concern to outsiders. • It became more common for governments to see active membership in the United Nations as serving their national interest as well as being morally right. • By the mid-1990s the UN had become involved in maintaining international peace and security in three main ways: by resisting aggression between states, by attempting to resolve disputes within states (civil wars), and by focusing on conditions within states, including economic, social and political conditions. • Operations of the United Nations were justified in the traditional way: as a response to a threat to international peace and security. • Any relaxation of the traditional principle of non-intervention had to be treated very cautiously, and new methods of approval in the UN could be advisable. • The number of institutions within the UN system that address economic and social issues has significantly increased. Several Programmes and Funds were created in response to Global Conferences. • Coordination between the various economic and social organisations has been problematic. • Despite a shortage of funds and coordination problems, the UN has done important work in key economic and social areas. • In the late 1990s under the leadership of then Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the UN embarked on an overarching reform effort, which however was not very successful and not actively supported by the current Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxqzWweOSbU&feature=fvst http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNmkr-1rTk0
Example United Nations peacekeeping missions today: AfricaAmericasAsia and the PacificEuropeMiddle East
Based mainly on: Baylis & Smith: The Globalization of World Politics
Will the United Nations increase or decrease Please form two groups, Debate starts after 15 min.
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Contact:
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt FRGS |
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