3.2.1.4 Global Governance Flashcards
What is global governance?
Rules and organisations used to manage global issues
How are global systems regulated?
-corporations focus on controlling capital and labour
-regulations are needed to manage countries following increasing interdependency of countries
What international issues do global governance rules and organisations cover
- reducing environmental problems
- civil conflict
- financial instability
- trade + investment
- poverty
International laws
Established through international agreements focus on human rights, labour standards and trade agreements
Norms
Accepted standards of behaviour
Result in negative consequences if not followed
An example of a norm in freedom of speech
Institutions
Political + legal institutions
Exist to pass and enforce laws
Act as forum if laws aren’t passed
Examples of institutions
United Nations
World Trade Organisation
International Criminal Court
What happens when global governance rules are not enforced by a country / organisation?
Consequences follow:
- taken to a national court
- sanctions imposed eg. When Russia invaded Ukraine economic sanctions imposed on Russia, £21.5 billion of Russia’s assets frozen in Europe
What is the role of organizations like the United Nations (UN) in promoting global growth and stability?
They promote sustainable growth, stability, and development of all regions, both economically and environmentally.
Which major organization is connected to the United Nations and focuses on development?
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Does the United Nations have political authority over the entire planet?
No, the UN does not have political authority and has a mainly advisory role, fostering cooperation between state governments.
What is the main purpose of international organizations such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO)?
They manage specific aspects of an interconnected world, such as regulating trade rules or handling international public health issues.
What is the general objective of many non-governmental organizations (NGOs)?
NGOs typically aim to ensure justice and equality or campaign for environmental sustainability.
UNDP’s aims
Eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities
Works in 170 countries
What has been the main work of the UNDP?
The UNDP has led the drive to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were set in September 2000 with a target to achieve them by 2015.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and when were they adopted?
The SDGs are a new set of goals to strengthen frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction, climate change, and global sustainable development. They were adopted by UN member states in September 2015 at the Sustainable Development Summit.
What is the aim of the SDGs in relation to the MDGs?
The aim of the SDGs is to finish the work of the MDGs and ensure that no country is left behind.
What is the WTO’s main focus and role in global development?
The WTO focuses on trade and investment inequities, combating exploitative practices, and removing protectionist policies adopted by some governments and trading blocs.
How has globalization impacted trade and investment, according to the WTO?
Globalization has alleviated some injustices but has also accentuated others, especially in trade and investment inequities.
What is the role of the UNFCCC?
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is responsible for overseeing negotiations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between nations.
What was the significance of the UN Paris Climate Summit in 2015?
The UN Paris Climate Summit resulted in a historic, legally-binding climate deal, where 187 countries pledged to work together to combat climate change. The deal will come into force in 2020.
What is the global commons in relation to climate change?
The atmosphere, including global temperature, climate change, and ozone depletion, is considered a global commons because it is outside the political reach of any single nation and subject to international governance.
Main aim of Paris climate
The main aim is to hold global temperature rises to a maximum of 1.5°C
What are the key features of the climate deal made at the UN Paris Climate Summit in 2015?
The key features include:
- All countries will voluntarily cut emissions.
Aim to reduce net emissions to zero in the second half of the 21st century.
- Richer developed countries and some wealthy developing countries will pledge $100 billion per year to help developing countries adapt.
- A review mechanism to increase pledges every five years to keep warming below 2°C.
- A loss-and-damage mechanism to address losses vulnerable countries face due to climate change.
What is the importance of communication and understanding at all scales in global governance?
Success in global governance and regulating the extremes of globalization can be achieved through clear communication and understanding of strategies at all scales, from global to local.
How do NGOs contribute to global governance and climate change action?
NGOs provide clarity on strategies across boundaries and levels, often facilitating communication and engagement. They also play a role in global governance by implementing strategies like the ‘Agenda 21’ action plan.
How have NGOs evolved in the 21st century?
NGOs have expanded from local and national settings to become international organizations, emerging as a global force to democratize decision-making, protect human rights, and provide essential services to those in need
What is the difference between operational and advocacy NGOs?
Operational NGOs: Provide frontline support services (e.g., Oxfam) and typically raise money for each project.
Advocacy NGOs: Focus on campaigning and influencing policy decisions.
What types of funding do NGOs rely on?
NGOs are funded through charitable donations, with some also receiving funding from governments or businesses, although this can sometimes compromise their independence.
How do NGOs work in relation to other stakeholders?
NGOs increasingly work in partnership with governments and international organizations to address global issues.
Why are NGOs becoming more important in global development?
NGOs are often the only coordinated organizations to provide a voice for the poor and marginalized populations globally.
What is the role of international NGOs like Amnesty International, Médecins sans Frontières, and Greenpeace?
These NGOs focus on global issues, draw people together, and operate independently from any government interests.
What is the goal of global governance?
Global governance aims to promote growth and stability, improving the economy and society while ensuring there are no sudden changes that could disrupt them.
How do international institutions provide stability?
By enforcing laws and norms, international institutions ensure countries abide by common rules, reducing the likelihood of conflict and making trade more predictable.
How does the WTO contribute to global governance?
The World Trade Organization (WTO) aims to increase global trade, which leads to economic growth and greater stability through predictable trade rules.
What is the role of the World Bank (WB) in promoting growth?
The World Bank provides development loans to Less Developed Countries (LDCs) to stimulate economic growth.
How does the World Health Organization (WHO) contribute to global stability?
he WHO combats epidemics like the 2020 Coronavirus and the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, promoting social stability.
What is the role of UNESCO in global governance?
UNESCO ensures the benefits of scientific advancements are shared between countries to promote international development.
What are some challenges to global governance?
Countries voluntarily sign up to international laws and institutions, so those who don’t sign are not bound by them.
It can be difficult to make countries and transnational corporations (TNCs) comply with international rules.
Some countries, like China in 2016, may ignore international rulings (e.g., South China Sea), and other countries may not impose sanctions due to global economic importance.
What concerns exist about global institutions acting for political reasons?
Some argue that certain countries use global institutions, like the International Criminal Court, to remove political leaders they oppose, particularly in African nations.
How do global institutions like the IMF and World Bank create inequalities and injustices?
The IMF and World Bank impose conditions on loans, such as requiring free trade policies and cuts in government spending (often in sectors like education and health), which some argue worsen poverty and inequality in LICs (Low-Income Countries).
How do economic groups like the G7 contribute to global inequalities?
Economic groups like the G7 tend to strengthen the power of developed countries rather than promoting equality between developed countries and LICs.
How can members of security institutions like the UN Security Council create inequalities?
Members of the UN Security Council can veto resolutions, which can prevent actions from being taken to address crises. For example, in 2011–2016, Russia and China vetoed resolutions to intervene in the Syrian Civil War.
What is the purpose of the United Nations (UN)?
The UN, established in 1945, aims to maintain global peace and security, develop friendly relations between nations, solve international problems through cooperation, and help settle disputes between countries.
How many member countries are in the United Nations, and what does this mean for its authority?
The UN has 193 member countries, virtually all of the world’s countries, giving it significant global authority.
What is the UN Charter and what are its aims?
The UN Charter sets out the basic principles of global governance and the functions of the UN. Its aims are:
Maintain global peace and security
Develop friendly relations between nations
Use cooperation to solve international problems
Bring countries together to settle disputes
What are some of the key organizations within the UN?
The UN is made up of several organizations, including the UN Security Council and the General Assembly, which is often referred to as the “parliament of nations.”
What are the main goals of the UN in terms of growth and stability?
The UN works to promote both growth (economic and social development) and stability (maintaining peace and preventing conflicts).
What progress was made under the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?
Extreme poverty was halved in 15 years.
43 million more children enrolled in primary school.
New HIV infections decreased by 43%.
Over 2 billion more people gained access to clean drinking water.
How has the UN helped promote stability through peacekeeping missions?
The UN has organized peacekeeping missions, such as in Côte d’Ivoire in 2015, where peaceful elections were held after years of civil war.
Why do High-Income Countries (HICs) hold significant power over UN decisions?
HICs hold most power over UN decisions, and many global issues, such as the refugee crisis, primarily affect African countries. However, no African country has a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, which makes the final decisions.
Can you provide an example of UN ineffectiveness?
In 1995, UN peacekeepers failed to protect 8,000 people in Srebrenica, Southeast Europe, when they were massacred by Bosnian Serbs.
How do global institutions work together to make governance successful?
Global institutions operate at various scales (global, national, regional, local) and must interact for governance to succeed. For example, when the UN passed the Paris Climate Change Agreement in 2015, institutions from the international to the local level had to adjust their policies to align with the agreement.
What role do NGOs play in global governance?
NGOs operate at various scales and support institutions. They may lobby national governments for policy changes (e.g., Greenpeace advocating for more environmental protection) or work at the local level to support communities, such as helping them gain access to safe water.
Can you give examples of institutions at different scales?
Global: United Nations (UN)
International: European Union (EU)
National: UK Parliament, British Government
Regional: Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament
Local: Local councils, county courts
