What is global governance and what it does?

Global governance involves continuously striking a balance between various interests and
fostering collaborative efforts among different nations. Countries rely on cooperation and
integration to establish a fair framework for resolving conflicts. However, it's important to note
that there isn't a singular "world government" in existence. Instead, a set of norms, policies, laws,
and regulations are essential for facilitating relations within and among countries, organizations,
and markets. This framework exemplifies global governance. It becomes necessary when
individual states lack the capacity to address issues independently. Instances arise where groups
of nations encounter problems that cannot be resolved autonomously, thus requiring global
governance intervention.

Factors behind the Emergence of Global Governance

As economic dominance grows in critical sectors like energy, food, transportation, and
healthcare, multinational corporations are gaining greater strength. They wield significant
influence over numerous global policies. Concurrently, global civil society organizations exert
considerable sway and impact on global affairs due to their established historical credibility,
relevance, and effectiveness in addressing issues during periods of conflict or disaster.

1. The permeability of nation-states to vast flows of digital information, including fake

news, cyberbullying, and privacy invasion, highlights the need for global governance.
These issues arise due to the rapid and uncontrollable dissemination of digital content
through social media, making it challenging for individual nations to address them
independently.
2. The mass migration of people and the potential influx of criminal elements underscore
the necessity for global governance. Such migrations may facilitate unlawful activities
like sex trafficking and drug smuggling. Addressing these challenges requires robust
regulatory measures, international collaboration, and effective law enforcement to
safeguard citizens.
3. Instances of internal events or problems that nation-states struggle to manage
independently emphasize the importance of global governance. For instance, the
extrajudicial killings in the Philippines stemming from the government's drug policy have
sparked widespread protests and violence, necessitating intervention from international
organizations despite resistance from the Philippine government.
4. Global problems that exceed the capacity of individual nation-states to resolve on their
own, such as the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, highlight the
imperative for global governance. These crises demand coordinated efforts and collective
action on an international scale to effectively address their multifaceted impacts.
ROLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE (un.org)
In Global Governance, there isn't a singular "Central Authority," but the United Nations
functions closely to one by facilitating the discussion and resolution of global issues. It has the
capacity to engage numerous non-state actors, including governmental and non-governmental
organizations. The United Nations, established in 1945 after World War II, comprises 193
Member States. Its primary objective is to promote collaboration among nation-states in tackling
global challenges.
The Security Council bears primary responsibility for upholding international peace and security.
It consists of 15 members: the United States of America, Britain, Russia, China, and France serve
as permanent members, while ten other non-permanent members serve on a two-year term.

The Economic and Social Council serves as the central coordinating body for economic, social,
environmental, and related matters, collaborating with specialized agencies such as the IMF,
UNESCO, and WHO. It serves as the primary forum within the United Nations for deliberation,
discussion, and innovative ideas regarding sustainable development.

The Trusteeship Council oversaw the international supervision of eleven Trust Territories to
ensure their readiness for self-government and interdependence. Its operations ceased in 1994
after the last trust territory attained independence.

The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, is the principal judicial organ
of the United Nations, headquartered in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. It serves as
a venue for countries to resolve disputes through legal proceedings.

The Secretariat supports other UN bodies and committees by performing various tasks. It
includes the Secretary-General and a large number of international staff who carry out the
organization's day-to-day activities as mandated by the General Assembly. The Secretary-
General, appointed by the General Assembly upon the Security Council's recommendation,
serves as the organization's chief administrative officer.

Roles and Functions of the United Nations (un.org)

Ensuring Global Peace and Security: Established in 1945 after the tumult of World War II, the
United Nations has been steadfast in its mission to uphold international peace and security. It
achieves this by engaging in conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping, and fostering
conditions conducive to sustainable peace. These efforts are interconnected and mutually
reinforcing to maximize effectiveness.

Safeguarding Human Rights: A fundamental pillar of the United Nations is the promotion and
protection of human rights. Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in
1948, the organization has been committed to upholding human rights through both legal
frameworks and practical initiatives on the ground.

Providing Humanitarian Assistance: The United Nations is mandated to facilitate international

cooperation in addressing economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian challenges. It serves as a
vital coordinator of humanitarian relief efforts in areas affected by natural disasters or conflicts,
where national capacities alone are insufficient.

Advancing Sustainable Development: Since its inception, the United Nations has prioritized
international collaboration in addressing economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian issues.
Central to this mission is the pursuit of sustainable development, aimed at enhancing people's
well-being, fostering economic prosperity, promoting social equity, and safeguarding the
environment. The UN champions sustainable development as the most viable pathway to
improving the lives of people globally.

Upholding International Law: Enshrined in its charter, the United Nations is dedicated to
establishing conditions conducive to justice and adherence to international legal obligations. The
organization plays a pivotal role in the development and enforcement of international law
through various mechanisms, including courts, tribunals, and multilateral treaties. Additionally,
the Security Council exercises authority to authorize peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions,
or endorse the use of force to safeguard international peace and security.

Since 1945, the United Nations has been a champion of the following global concerns:
Preventing and managing conflicts
 Controlling weapons
 Supporting human rights
  Helping countries gain independence
 Giving aid to new countries
 Supporting women
 Educating kids
 Feeding the hungry
 Housing refugees
 Helping in disasters

CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL GOVERNANCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY

 Unclear and scattered authority
 Large gaps in power and influence between different actors, both state and non-state
 Insufficient resources for the UN and other organizations
 Conflicting policies among global governance entities
 Informal and decentralized self-regulating groups

Some Key Challenges

1. Nationalistic Interests: One big problem in global cooperation is that countries often have
different priorities based on their own agendas. Leaders must decide between finding a
balance and making unpopular decisions that go against what other countries want. For
example, the disputes between China and the Philippines over territory highlight this
issue.
2. Lack of Agreement: It's hard to agree on a plan when powerful countries don't involve
smaller ones in discussions.
 3. Unclear Authority: Countries can break international laws without facing serious
consequences. They often assert their own authority when dealing with global problems.
4. Confusing Policies on New Issues: Global rules struggle to keep up with fast-changing
technology. Figuring out how to regulate things like cyberbullying while still allowing
free speech online is a big challenge.

GLOBALIZATION AND THE STATE

The Relevance of the State amid Globalization

Some argue that the State has become irrelevant due to globalization's pace. Conversely, others
believe the State remains relevant as it can shape globalization's course. However, both views
overlook a crucial point. The legitimacy of States isn't determined by their ability to handle
globalization but by their effective use of public goods compared to other actors in the
globalization process. Only in rare cases are other actors more effective in addressing certain
issues than States. Until various actors can consistently outperform States on a large scale, the
State will remain a key player in globalization. The Difference between Nation and the State

The state is a unique group of people ruled by a government that controls its land and citizens.
A nation refers to a large group of people living in a particular area who share a common history,
culture, or other similarities.
A nation-state is an independent entity governing people who share a history and culture within a
specific territory. The state represents the people, and the people are the basis of its authority and
control.