CHAPTER 5

GLOBAL GOVERNMENT

GLOBAL GOVERNMENT

- is a response on the actions of various stakeholders on finding out pressing global problems like climate change and issues on peace and security.

POLITICAL GLOBALIZATION

- refers to intensification and increasing level of interrelations (i.e power) among nations in the world. These structural processes raise the issue of state sovereignty, the growing implications of intergovernmental organizations, and the prospects of regional and international governance.

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

- refers to domestic institutions and governments on how large-scale problems and public policy issues are being solved at a global level.

1. Jurisdiction Gap

2. Incentive Gap

3. Participation Gap

THREE EXISTING GAPS AND ISSUES IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Jurisdiction Gap

The lack of global governance in taking actions to problems affecting key sectors arises from the absence of authority. This involves the need to create power and jurisdiction to governments and international organizations that have the commitment in confronting issues like unemployment, human rights, peace, and crimes

Incentive Gap

It is an issue between the rich and poor countries of the world because of uneven distribution of authority and control over decisions and policies.

Participation Gap

- Member-states sometimes disagree on issues that are harmful to their interests. They do not involve themselves in decisions that are crucial to the economic and political welfare of their sovereignty.

Political System

- means the system, or the form of practice employed by the state.

INDIVIDUALISM 

• It is a political system that values the significance of individuals over collective goals. 

• Freedom of the people is the primary consideration. 

• Government values choices and preferences of its people at a very personal level.

• It is built on two elements: individual freedom and expression are important in the sense that individuals just like the state have sovereignty; and the pursuit of economic interest among individuals.

COLLECTIVISM 

• It is a philosophy that stresses the importance of collective goals over individual freedom and interests. 

• The state, as the primary economic manager, views collective action as the best strategy in establishing the welfare and interest of the nation. 

• According to Plato, social stratification must be built for the society and the entire economy, and the government be managed properly and orderly.

DEMOCRACY 

• Democratic institutions and governance focus on the role of individuals in political decision making. 

• The practice of direct participation in modern societies involves representation, where individuals periodically elect someone who can represent them in the government. 

• In a representative democracy, competitive elections occur where candidates freely compete for votes through conduct of fair and honest election. 

• Elected officials are accountable for their actions in the government and operation of the state. 

• Constitutional laws are provided to safeguard the welfare and interest of the people.

direct participation

In modern societies involves representation, where individuals periodically elect someone who can represent them in the government.

representative democracy

competitive elections occur where candidates freely compete for votes through conduct of fair and honest election.

Elected officials

are accountable for their actions in the government and operation of the state.

Constitutional laws

are provided to safeguard the welfare and interest of the people.

TOTALITARIANISM 

• It is built on the idea that society and citizens have no right and freedom of expression. 

• These countries do not recognize the conduct of fair and honest elections, the presence of media, and civil liberties. 

• Decision making of the states is exclusive only on a single political party if not a ruler who has full control in the political, economic, and social affairs of its government.

GEOPOLITICS AND POLITICAL LAYERS

1. UNILATERALISM

2. MULTILATERALISM

3. ISOLATIONISM

UNILATERALISM

- to any agenda or doctrine that supports the action of one side only. It can disregard other political parties and is used as an expression of commitment toward a specific direction.

MULTILATERALISM

• UNIPOLAR

• BIPOLAR

• TRI-POLAR or TRI-POLARITY

• MULTIPOLAR or MULTI-POLARITY

BIPOLAR

- it happens if there are only two great powers dominating the distribution of power.

TRI-POLAR or TRI-POLARITY

- exists if there are only three states dominating the distribution of global order.

MULTIPOLAR or MULTI-POLARITY

- is a situation when more states are involved in the distribution of global power.

ISOLATIONISM

- Isolationists believe that major powers and states exclude the use of force and military in the international system.

GLOBAL POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS

1. NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO)

2. UNITED NATIONS (UN)

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO)

• It was formed initially as a political association, and not a military alliance. 

• Realists argue that during its proposal in 1949, the idea of collective security arrangement was the main feature of it. 

• Its purpose was not directed against the threat of the Soviet Union but to strengthen the political commitment of governments in Western Europe. 

• However, liberalists point out the belief that it was established to back up and save the economic and political problems of Europe from the damages of war.

• The economic alliances of Europe's powerful countries transformed the region as a major hub in industrialization. Its development transformed it as a conventional military alliance and protected Europe from the threat of Soviet Union.

UNITED NATIONS (UN) 

• It is an international organization established in 1945 with the League of Nations as its original body. 

• Currently, the organization has 193-member states performing various capacities and divisions. 

• As the world's most powerful binding political organization, it can act on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century such as peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, human rights, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health emergencies, gender equality, governance, food production, and more. 

• It operates worldwide in providing aids and support services to global problems in countries where it is needed.

ORGANS OF UNITED NATIONS

1. General Assembly

2. Security Council

3. Economic and Social Council 

4. International Court of Justice 

5. The Secretariat

6. Trusteeship Council

General Assembly

- this is UNs main deliberative and decision-making body represented by all its 193 members.

Security Council 

• It is responsible for the maintenance of peace and security. 

• It has the power to impose sanctions or punish members or other bodies for the purpose of restoring international peace and security.

Economic and Social Council 

• commonly called ECOSOC. 

• Its main function is to coordinate, review, and recommend policies relating to economic, social and environmental issues. 

• It serves as the main agency of the UN in monitoring and evaluating key results in sustainable development.

International Court of Justice 

• It is the principal body or court of the UN. 

• Its role includes setting legal disputes among concerned states and provides opinions on legal matters. 

• This is the only UN organ that operates outside the United States with headquarters in the Peace Palace, Netherlands.

 The Secretariat 

• It is headed by the UN Secretary - General who sits as its Chief Administrative Officer at the appointment of the secretary general is done through the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year term. 

• This organ is responsible for the day-to-day work and operation of the UN including its peacekeeping mission and thousands of international staff stationed in different countries.

POWER

- is the ultimate goal to contain and control other states and nations that do not enjoy much power are considered as powerless states in the international arena.

GEOPOLITICS

is defined as a focus and concentration of a country's location, environment, and geography as the basis of its national interests (Nau, 2008).

Trusteeship Council

One of the UN's organs that oversees the 11 trust territories.