L4 - Power in GG, USA + CHINA Flashcards
What was the role, interests and vision of the US in 1944-45?
isolation till WW1 + Wilson - 1919-1921 League of Nations (failure), isolation till WW11 + Roosevelt - 1994-5 BIG BANG
Bretton Woods, IMF, WB, UN - US lead parallel US-led multilateral organisations
Presidents and their leanings
Bush 1989-1993 ‘new world order’
Clinton 1993 - 2001 ‘assertive multilateralism’
Bush 2001-2009 ‘Isolation/unilateralism’
Obama 2009-2017 ‘messy multilateralism’ (progressive int ideology, engagement w rising, new US-led fora and deepening regime complexity)
Trump 2017-2021 ‘isolation/unilateralism’ America first, exit from UNESCO, Paris, WHO, UNHRC
Biden 2021-2025 return to multilateralism (WHO, Paris), competition with China
Example of US exceptionalism
UN convention on rights of child - adopted by UNGA 1989, signed by US 1995 but never ratified - parental/sovereignty rights
US building of a parallel multi-lateral system
Bilateral and Regional Agreements:
The US has formed exclusive agreements outside of the UN, focusing on specific partners (e.g., North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), US-Japan Security Treaty).
Economic Institutions:
Established World Bank and IMF, where the US holds significant influence, shaping global economic policy and providing loans outside UN frameworks.
Military Alliances:
The US created NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), a military alliance independent of the UN, focused on collective defense and security.
Trade Frameworks:
The US led the creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and GATT, focusing on trade liberalization outside UN bodies like UNCTAD.
International Legal Systems:
The US avoided the International Criminal Court (ICC), preferring bilateral treaties for handling legal matters, asserting its sovereignty.
Constants at level of presidents/congress
US administrations more internationalist than congress - focus on national interests and how this links to the world…
US stance re: multilateralism and geopolitical polarity
Unipolar (Post-Cold War, 1990s-2000s):
The US led and often shaped global institutions, but also acted unilaterally when it suited its interests (e.g., Iraq War without UN approval).
Bipolar (Cold War, 1947-1991):
The US used multilateralism selectively, focusing on alliances like NATO and economic systems to counter the Soviet Union, often sidelining UN actions if they did not align with its strategic interests.
Multipolar (Current Era):
The US faces more global competition (e.g., China, Russia) and is less dominant. As a result, it increasingly participates in multilateral forums (e.g., Paris Agreement, G7, WTO) but also challenges multilateralism when it doesn’t align with its interests.
Why do we call China’s stance in global governance multi-pronged?
Because it has many dimensions - global, regional, china lead
‘china has become a participant, beneficiary, contributor, and reformer of the international system, all at the same time’
Davos Speech + Trump adaption
looking to shape world in its image, merits of economic globalisation, GG needs to become more inclusive and representation (CHAMPION OF ECONOMIC OPENNESS) - FILLING LEADERSHIP GAP
China’s basic interests
Power position, sustaining growth, national security
China’s key objectives
foreign markets and investment, global public goods, pluralism, multilateralism as norm
China’s specific multilateral strategy and desires in existing universal organisations
- preference for UN-centered multilateralism (rules based)
- reform (IMF, WB, Rule shaping)
China and the UNHRC
more assertive policy, emphasis on sovereignty, pluralism, socio-economic rights - critics say undermining reshaping consensus
China’s parallel multilateral system
BRICS / Belt & Road (BRI), NDB, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) = more political control and influence, often complementary and peaceful, looking to expand sphere of influence
AIIB + why members wanted to join?
110 members, China largest shareholder, infrastructure focus
MOTIVES: 1. supplementing (lending banks) 2. Outreach and projection of soft power ‘peaceful development’ 3. geostrategic 4.EU included = better credit ratings, more capital can be raised on private market
MEMBERS: 1.business opportunities 2.socialisation - social/environment standards, cooperation
