POLITICAL

GLOBALIZATION
 THE POLITICAL DIMENSION
Module/Week 8 – Politics and Globalization, Part I
 Focus: Global Governance and Theories of International Relations
(Realism, Liberalism, Structuralism)

Module/Week 9 – Politics and Globalization, Part 2

 Focus: Political Violence, Humanitarian Intervention & The Responsibility
to Protect

Module/Week 10 – Politics and Globalization, Part 3

 Focus: Global Civil Society and Transnational Actors
 THE POLITICAL DIMENSION
READINGS:

 Maclean, G and D. Wood (2010). Politics: an introduction

(pp.284-293). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 Steger, M. (2017). "Chapter 4." In Globalization: A Very

Short Introduction, 4th Edition (pp. 62-79). Oxford:
Oxford UP.
 GUIDING QUESTIONS

1. How do the theories of realism, liberal internationalism,

and structuralism understand international relations?
2. What is the relationship between the phenomenon of
globalization and states?
3. How has the role of the state changed as a result of
globalization?
4. Are we moving towards an era of global governance and, if
so, is this desirable?
 POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION
The primary unit of political organization is the modern state.

1648, The Peace of Westphalia

What is a ‘state’?
3 major characteristics:
1. Territoriality
2. Population
3. Sovereignty
INTERNATIONAL ANARCHY OR A SOCIETY OF STATES?

International relations theory attempts to understand and explain interactions between state and
non-state actors or ‘agents’ at the global level, and the institutions or ‘structures’ that frame those
interactions.

3 Major Theories of International Relations:

1. Realism – State & National Interest; International Anarchy; Balance of Power

2. Liberalism – Community of States; Kant; Liberal Democratic Peace Theory

3. Structuralism – Capitalist Economic Structure; Profit; Dependency

POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION
Intensified integration & interdependence among states & citizens via

 Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

e.g. UN, WTO, NATO

 International agreements, regulations, laws

e.g. USMCA, Geneva Convention

 International Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)

e.g. Amnesty International, Greenpeace, Oxfam International
 POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION
GLOBALIZATION & THE STATE: THE DEBATE

Key Questions:
a) What is the relationship between the phenomenon of globalization and states?
b) How is the role of the state changing as a result of globalization?

Three Interpretations:
Hyper-Globalizers – The Demise of the Nation-State
Skeptics – The Persistence of State Power
Middle Ground – The Changing Role of the State
 Position 1: The Demise of the State
GLOBALIZATION & THE STATE: THE DEBATE

‘Hyperglobalizers’
 the power of ‘the state’ is being eroded by the
phenomenon of globalization
 ‘room for maneuver’ is limited and shrinking

E.g. WTO Dispute Resolution; IMF Structural Adjustment

 Position 2: Persistence of State Power
GLOBALIZATION & THE STATE: THE DEBATE

‘Skeptics’
 economic and political integration are the result of state-based
decisions
 the state (especially wealthy states) remains the most powerful actor in
the global arena
 the state retains its monopoly on the legitimate use of force (i.e.
military power)

E.g. Brexit; Syrian Civil War; Covid-19?

 Position 3: Changing Role of the State
GLOBALIZATION & THE STATE: THE DEBATE

Middle Ground

 the ‘traditional’ role of the state is changing, but the state retains significant
decision-making power
 state decisions key to globalization, but ‘the state’ not with full control
 non-state actors (E.g. TNCs, NGOs) increasingly important

E.g. Climate Crisis, Covid-19 (https://www.democracynow.org/2020/3/20/coronavirus_dr_michele_barry)

 POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION
GLOBALIZATION & THE STATE: THE DEBATE
Global Governance
Is ‘the state’ being replaced by other actors and non-state-based
systems of political regulation?
- subnational organizations & agreements
e.g. World Assn. of Major Metropolises
- regional forms of political organization
e.g. European Union, USMCA, ASEAN
- supranational structures of governance
e.g. UN, WTO, NATO
 POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION
GLOBALIZATION & THE STATE: THE DEBATE

‘Global civil society’

 Civil society generally refers to non-state activities, organizations,

etc.
 It is the arena of ‘private life’, autonomous from government and
business.

- Human Rights … Amnesty International

- Environment … Greenpeace
- Development … Oxfam International
 POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION
GLOBALIZATION & THE STATE: THE DEBATE

‘Global Governance’
Implies changing identity (*Identity Transformation)

Cosmopolitan Democracy (David Held)

- global parliament
- international charter of rights & freedoms
- formal separation of political & economic interests
- global legal framework with ‘teeth’
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE & THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC

What does the current COVID-19 global

pandemic tell us about systems of global
governance? Would a fully functioning world
government be preferable in the face of this
type of global crisis? Why or why not?
THE UNITED NATIONS
History of the UN

Jan. 1, 1942 – Declaration by United Nations

• term coined by FDR
• 26 states vs. Axis powers

1945 – UN Charter
• June 26 - 51 state signatories
• Oct. 24 – Ratified by US, UK, China, USSR

2020 https://www.un.org/en/
• 193 + 2 members (observer status)
International Law Charter of the United Nations

Article 2
- fundamental principle of state
sovereignty 1. The organization is based on the principle of the
sovereign equality of all its members.

- states must ratify an 4. All members shall refrain ... from the threat or
agreement in order to be held use of force against the territorial integrity or
accountable political independence of any state.

7. Nothing contained in the present Charter shall

- may become signatories with authorize the United Nations to intervene in
‘declarations’/ ‘reservations’ matters which are essentially within the
domestic jurisdiction of any state.
 THE UN, PEACE & SECURITY
UN SECURITY COUNCIL

United States
United Kingdom
France
China
Russia

https://www.statista.com/chart/17316/share-of-global-arms-exports-by-country/
 THE UN, PEACE & SECURITY
UN SECURITY COUNCIL

United States
United Kingdom
France
China
Russia

https://www.statista.com/chart/17404/worlds-biggest-arms-importers-2008-2018/
 NEXT STEPS

 Module 8 Readings – Chapter 4, Steger; and MacLean

& Wood (Online)
 Module 8 Learning Module – Focus: International
Relations Theory
 Quiz #3 (Module 8) – Due 11:59 pm Tuesday, Nov. 9th