Contemporary Global Governance

Contemporary Global Governance

• Global governance involves creating laws and regulations on a global scale, providing a legal basis for international law
• It is not a single system with a world government, but rather a collective effort by various governance regimes sharing common goals
• Global governance entails political cooperation among global actors to address shared problems, coordinating collective action globally
• This ongoing process balances diverse interests while promoting collaboration

Global Governance Institutions

• Examples of global governance institutions include:
• United Nations (UN)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• World Bank

Global Governance Issues

• Global governance addresses issues such as:
• Global climate change and pollution
• Poverty and economic development
• Fresh water deficits
• Pandemics
• Transnational terrorism
• Transnational organized crime

International Organizations

• These are groups of at least three countries working together under an official agreement
• Their aim is to manage global problems related to health, peace, justice, and development
• International organizations (IOs) are sometimes referred to as intergovernmental organizations (IGOs):
• These are different from international non-governmental organizations (INGOs)
• IGOs are run by governments, while INGOs are run by private or independent groups Examples of IGOs:
• United Nations (UN)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• World Health Organization (WHO) Examples of INGOs:
• International Red Cross
• Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)
• World Organization of the Scout Movement
• World Economic Forum
• Horasis

Types of International Organizations

• Universal Membership: These are global organizations with broad country representation.
  • Examples include:
  • UN
  • WTO
  • IMF
• Limited Membership: Regional or interest-based organizations with specific member states.
  • Examples include:
  • EU
  • NATO

Powers of International Organizations

• Power of Classification: IOs define categories, such as poverty levels, like how the IMF classifies countries as "developing" or "developed."
• Power to Fix Meanings: IOs create definitions that shape policies, such as the UN's "Human Rights" definitions influencing national laws.
• Power to Diffuse Norms: IOs spread global standards, such as labor rights and environmental laws, exemplified by the UN's role in climate change agreements.

State, Nation-State, and Non-State Actors

• State: A political entity with defined borders, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter relations with other states
• Nation-State: A specific form of state characterized by a shared national identity, often with a common language and culture
• Non-State Actors: Individuals or organizations with influence but not affiliated with any state, such as multinational corporations, NGOs, and terrorist groups
• Challenges of Global Governance: Diverse opinions, lack of enforcement mechanisms, insufficient rules, sovereignty concerns, complexity, fragmentation, and power imbalances.

The United Nations (UN)

• The UN is the main group that works in global governance, consisting of over 193 member countries
• The main goal of the UN is to preserve global security through its Security Council

UN Key Missions

• Maintaining international peace and security
• Protecting human rights
• Delivering humanitarian aid
• Promoting sustainable development
• Upholding international law

UN Structure

• General Assembly: A deliberative body involving all member states
• Security Council: Responsible for maintaining international peace and security
• Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Promotes international economic and social cooperation

Trusteeship Council

• This council monitors the administration of trust territories (now inactive)

International Court of Justice

• This court settles legal disputes between states

Secretariat

• This agency oversees the UN's day-to-day operations

Internationalism

• Internationalists believe in international cooperation for the common good and that cooperation among governments is needed
• Long-term cooperation is more important than short-term disagreements

Globalism

• The world is becoming more connected because of the internet, new technology, and faster transportation
• The world is more linked and interdependent than ever before

Treaties and Agreements

• These are legally binding written agreements between states or international organizations and cover areas like trade, human rights, security, and the environment
• Process: Negotiation & Signature, Ratification, Implementation, and Reservation/Withdrawal are needed for process

Convention

• This is a formal agreement or treaty created under international organizations that addresses global issues involving many nations
• Examples: Geneva Conventions and UNCLOS

International Custom

• This refers to the Practices followed by states out of a sense of legal duty, even without a written treaty
• Non-Intervention
• Freedom of the High Seas
• Prohibition of Torture
• State Immunity
• Right of Innocent Passage
• Pacta Sunt Servanda
• Extradition for International Crimes

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

• The Philippines ratified the ICCPR in 1974
• Rights from the ICCPR, like the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, and freedom from torture, are reflected in the Bill of Rights in the Philippine Constitution
• Hague Convention on International Child Abduction:
• The Philippines follows the Family Code (EO No. 209) to return abducted children in accordance with the Hague Convention
• Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (RA No. 11479):
• Aligns with UN Security Council Resolutions
• Adopted provisions to comply with UN Security Council Resolutions on counter-terrorism

Asian Regionalism

• Regionalization is the division of a nation or area into smaller units called regions and often involves dividing a country into states or provinces for better governance
• Purpose: Promoting development in towns and provinces, addressing local needs effectively, improving communication.
• CALABARZON and MIMAROPA were once combined as Southern Tagalog, separated due to size
• Aurora became independent from Quezon.
• Regionalism promotes regional cooperation and preference for local partners, focusing on regional identity, culture, governance, and economics over national or global priorities

Examples of Regionalism in the Philippines

• Cultural & Linguistic Regionalism
• Regional Languages: Cebuano (Visayas), Ilokano (Ilocos), Tagalog (Luzon)
• Cultural Practices: Sinulog Festival (Cebu), Paskong Tagalog (Luzon)
• Political Regionalism
• Calls for Autonomy
• Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Regional Commissions (historical): Government bodies were created to empower local leaders in budgeting and governance
• Economic Regionalism
• Uneven Development: The National Capital Region (NCR) is more developed compared to remote regions
• Agricultural Specialization: Different regions produce specific crops
• Ilocos Norte = Garlic
• Benguet = Vegetables
• Bicol = Coconut and Pili Regional Trade and Investment: Some regions attract more foreign investment while others remain economically isolated

The pillars of ASEAN regionalism (by ASEAN) are:

• ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC):
  • ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
  • SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization)
  • ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum) dialogue platform
• ASEAN Economic Community (AEC):
  • APEC ((Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)
  • RCEP ((Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership)
• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC):
  • AUN (ASEAN University Network)
  • AHA Centre (ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance)

Global Divides

• These are significant disparities and inequalities that exist between different regions and countries around the world
• Treaty of Tordesillas: Spain and Portugal divided the world

Global North vs. Global South

• The Global North includes developed, high-income countries
• Features:
• High levels of wealth
• Technological advancement
• Political stability
• Low population growth The Global South includes developing or underdeveloped countries
• Features:
• Agrarian economies
• High levels of poverty and conflict
• North separates in economic status rather than geography