Introduction to Global Governance

• Global governance refers to collective efforts to identify, understand, and address worldwide problems that exceed the problem-solving capacities of individual states.

Introduction to Global Governance

• Global governance provides government-like services and public goods within the international system without a world government.
• It combines formal and informal ideas, values, rules, norms, procedures, practices, policies, and organizations.
• Global governance helps various actors, including states, IGOs, NGOs, TNCs, and individuals, address transboundary problems.
• It aims to determine how the world is, was, and could be governed and how patterns of governance have changed.
• Today, a disconnect exists between global problems like climate change, weapons proliferation, terrorism, and the political structures for international problem-solving due to traditional political structures.

The Uncertainty of the Sovereign Territorial State or Nation-State

• Since the end of the Cold War, the world is moving towards less centralized governance.

• Emerging powers like China, Russia, and Brazil create regional alliances, challenging the "post-American world" order.

• The traditional sovereign territorial state or "nation-state" is facing uncertainty after serving as a model for centuries.

• Elements of a "nation-state" include:

  • Continuous and broken territory (preferred)
  • Sovereign territory
  • Monopoly of law and coercion
  • Direct governance of inhabitants
  • Representation of the people and state legitimacy
  • A homogenous population

• The traditional system has been disregarded due to events like the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the rise of transnational entities.

• The state's powers are undermined by supranational and infra-national forces, as well as the withdrawal of its inhabitants from citizenship.

• Supranational forces weaken the state in three ways:

  • Creation of a supranational economy uncontrolled by states
  • Rise of regional or global institutions where countries defer due to size or weak economies
  • Irrelevance of territorial borders due to technological revolution in transport and communications

The Rise of Non-State Actors

• A significant rise in non-state actors has occurred.
• International organizations in the public and private sectors participate in global governance and improving lives.
• This has created a new landscape with multi-sector partnerships like transnational businesses.
• The loose structures of these organizations allow more efficient action than national bureaucracies.
• The growth of non-state actors increases diversity in potential players and partners.
• The proliferation of actors representing stakeholders contributes to global problem-solving, moving away from the state-centric model.

The United Nations (UN)

• The UN is a prominent example of a non-state actor and international government organization (IGO).
• The UN aims to enforce international law, security, human rights, economic development, and social progress.
• The UN is divided into five branches:
  • The UN General Assembly: main decision-making body responsible for upholding UN principles
  • The UN Security Council: authorizes military deployment, mandates cease-fires, and enforces penalties
  • The International Court of Justice: settles legal disputes and provides advisory opinions
  • The Economic and Social Council: promotes economic and social development and cooperation
  • The Secretariat: provides studies, information, and dates for UN meetings

The G20+ and a New Framework for Global Cooperation

• Global collective action and stability are needed in a globally integrated world economy.
• The proposed framework for global economic cooperation includes a competent coordination body (the G20+) connected to the UN.
• It aims to preserve global economic stability and ensure inclusive growth for all nations and peoples.
• Integral functions include:
  • Facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue and policy solutions
  • Promoting inclusive economic reform
  • Enabling global economic crisis response

Summary

• Global governance provides government-like services and public goods in the international system without a world government.
• Governance has shifted from traditional territorial states to structures warranting international cooperation and response.
• Several non-state bodies, like the United Nations and the G20+, have emerged with international goals.

Global governance addresses worldwide problems exceeding individual state capacities. It combines formal and informal elements to provide government-like services internationally. It helps actors address transboundary problems, aiming to understand and influence global governance patterns.