Debates

Question 1

Is global political governance unachievable? [YES]

Answer 1

• (esp violent) conflict is still a dominant force in global politics
• securing agreement within international institutions is still difficult, esp when states choose to protect their national interests e.g. UNSC often unable to agree on decisions of high strategic importance
• many important actors in global politics (MNCs, NGOs, civil society groups and violent non-state actors) are minor in or excluded from global political governance organisations

Question 2

Is global political governance unachievable? [NO]

Answer 2

• conflict is less prevalent between states, only more common within states, as international institutions and trade links provide means of non-violent dispute resolution; globalisation means state interests are increasingly aligned and interdependent
• unprecedented number of IGOs now exist for discussion and agreements that are geographically diverse (ASEAN, AU, UN, EU) and policy diverse (econ, environ, judicial, political, security); rise of globalisation has meant a rise in global political debate

Question 3

Realist view on global political governance

Answer 3

• realist tendencies of nation states can be obstructive to global political governance e.g. UNSC paralysed by states seeking to protect national interest
• however treaty organisations like NATO have been founded on realist principles, states aiming to protect national security
• global governance goes against the idea of anarchical society described by Hedley Bull in the Billiard Ball Model

Question 4

Liberal view on global political governance

Question 5

Future of the Nation State: long-lasting appeal

Answer 5

• in Scotland the 1997 devolution referendum under Tony Blair established the Scottish Parliament with partial rule, despite failure of 2014 Indyref the narrowness of 44.7% v 55.3% shows there is still a widespread wish for a Scottish nation-state
• older generation in Catalonia took to streets to demand a nation-state, remembering Franco who treated the region poorly, 81% in 2014 independence referendum wanted fully independent state

Question 6

Future of the Nation State: threats to existence

Answer 6

• globalisation externally threatens the nation state, as the world becomes more interconnected it undermines both aspects that constitute a nation state, internet communication, lower cost of travel, and increase in immigration over last 30yrs means states’ borders are weakened, and also national identity becoming more fluid rather than focused in one area
• an internal threat the nation states is how they themselves threaten government power as more cultural groups push for their own sate, weakening individual countries, e.g. Spain doesn’t want Catalonia to secede as it is one of the wealthiest areas in Spain, and Tibetan claims for independence are harshly suppressed by the Chinese government