Global governance Flashcards
What is global governance?
The way in which global issues affecting the whole world are managed.
Includes norms and laws used to manage global systems however can only take place through consensus.
What are norms and laws?
Norms:
- Are values and traditions that control the way people and countries behave. These are the ‘done thing’.
Laws:
- Are written rules which control how people behave and is compulsory to abide by them.
Some issues which require global governance?
- Climate change
- Global commons
- Trade
- Health issues/ epidemics
How does global governance work on different scales?
Agreements that are made on a global scale need to be ‘cascaded down’ to national and local governments in order for them to be effective.
- Agenda 21 is a global agreement to promote sustainable development.
- Passed to local governments to implement new rules and is now the reason we have recycling schemes.
What is the role of NGOs in global governance?
- Try to provide a voice for the worlds most vulnerable and have a global focus to change current global operating systems.
Aim to:
- Publicise and raise awareness of issues through global campaigns.
- Act to make changes through global operation.
‘Kill the trade’ by WWF:
In 2012 illicit trade in wildlife was a $19bn market.
WFF launched campaign who’s main aim was to secure recognition by governments to ensure wildlife crime is taken seriously and treated with correct sanctions.
What they’ve done:
- Better protection in place to protect wildlife, Cameroon sent in 600 soldiers and extra 2,500 rangers.
- New tech to spot poachers from the sky.
- Tougher penalties in place, rhino horn smuggler sentenced to 40 years imprisonment.
- UN passed resolution that states those who commit wildlife crime should get 4+ years.
- Got recognition from many states and heads of governments. Philippines destroyed 5 tonnes of ivory.
- Forced countries to address the demand for wildlife products.
Difficulties:
- No power so often overlooked/ overshadowed
- Can only get agreements on consensus
- No money so TNCs able to dominate and ignore
World summits on climate change:
UNFCCC oversees negotiations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from nations and aim to facilitate these negotiations.
Successes:
- 187 countries have signed up to the Paris climate agreement which aims to hold global temperatures at 1.5 above preindustrial times.
- Pledges countries will cut their emissions with a long term aim of making countries carbon neutral.
Criticisms:
- Kyoto protocol had no real impacts on mitigating the effects on climate change.
- There is not much that can be done in terms of sanctions so its mostly based upon consensus which means it can to be efficiently enforced.
The world trade organisation:
Deals with the rules of trade between nations with a man goal of ensuring that trade flows as smoothly and freely as possible. Made up of 160 countries (75% LIC).
Successes:
- Seen $340bn saved from a reduction in trade wars.
- The average tariff was previously 50% while is now only around 9%.
Criticisms:
- Have prioritised free trade over fair trade.
- Argued that developing countries need trade protection in order to develop new industries as previously done by developed countries but they are now unable to do this which is unfair.
The world bank:
They aim to reduce poverty by helping countries develop economically. They provide financial and technical assistance to LICs.
Successes:
- Funded numerous successful development projects E.G. Xining flood management project enhanced flood protection for 414,300 people improving the environment and quality of life for people.
Criticisms:
- Largely run by core nations which means some of their policies have been harmful to LICs as its focus is on developing free market economies based on western models.
Positive outcomes from global governance:
- UN has had many successful attempts at global governance through the security council, the WHO and through the UN development programme.
- WTO seen an increase in world trade which is now at $18 trillion.
- NGOs have improved the conditions and support for the worlds most vulnerable.
- Globals commons has also had successes most notably with the ban on commercial whaling.
Weaknesses of global governance:
- Some long running wars have not been influenced by the UN such as the Syrian conflict. Aids and HIV remain as epidemics. Some feel that a new set of global goals is needed.
- WTO has not been able to eliminate protectionism. Argued that the goal of free trade has been more harmful on LICs that beneficial.
- Pollution of the high seas and time limited nature of the elements means that the global commons have not been entirely successful.
What are the global commons?
Spaces and resources which are shared by all and not controlled by any single country.
- High seas
- Atmosphere
- Antarctica
- Outer space
What is the principle of common heritage and common tragedy?
The commons belong to all of humanity and the resources found here are available for everyones use, therefore we should all protect them.
This principle is not enough to stop countries taking more than they need and acting in their interests.
What are the agreements that protect the global commons?
- High seas = UN Convention on the law of the seas (UNCLOS)
- Antarctica = Antarctic treaty system (ATS)
- Atmosphere = UN Convention on climate change (UNFCCC)
- Space = Moon treaty and Treaty on principles governing the use of outer space.
Why are the global commons under threat?
- New technology:
- Allows us to exploit regions which we previously couldn’t. - Increasing population and living standards:
- Increases both demand for resources and pollution
