Global Governance - Case Studies

Remittance Reliance Case Study

Somalia

Somalia Location

Horn of Africa, Eastern Africa, Boarding the Gulf of Aden on the North and Indian Ocean on the East, East of Ethiopia and Kenya.

What kind of nation is Somalia?

An LIC affected by conflict and terror

How have Remittances helped Somalia?

Remittances have been instrumental in keeping Somalia afloat.

$1.6 billion in remittances are sent back annually by Somalia emigrants living in North America and Europe. (UN Development Programme).

In a ‘Remittance Dilemma’

What occurred in Somalia in 2012?

Concerns that money was going into terrorist organisations, corruption etc. So US + UK (Barclays) banks blocked remittance payments to Somalia.

Changes to the Car Industry over time Case Study

USA - Ford, GM, and Chrysler

Brief History of US car industry

Dates back to the late 19th century, but boomed in the 20th Century. Henry Ford revolutionised the industry with his assembly line. Detroit became “Motor City” with the help of Ford, GM, and Chrysler. Faced threats in the 1970s and 1980s from Asian and European industries and the 2008 financial crash but is still stable.

Factors shaping production of the US car industry

• Global supply chain issues - semiconductor shortages, reduced efficiency

• Labour strikes and shortages - UAW Strikes reduced production efficiency

• Global competition - Japan and South Korea reduced its market presence

• Automation and technology - efficiency increases but workers need to be more skilled.

• Trade Policies - Tariffs complicating the supply chain.

Impacts on the US Car industry

• Fluctuating Production

• Shift to Trucks and SUVs

• Increased Automation

• Resharing

TNC/Global Marketing Case Study

Coca Cola

When was Coca Cola founded and by who?

8th May 1886, by Dr. John Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia

Where is the Coca Cola HQ and how long has it been there?

Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USA since 1892

Where are the operations of Coca Cola?

Found in over 200 countries, with roughly 2/3rds of its revenue generated from its international operations.

In 2024; roughly 39.6% of the revenue from the US, 60.4% from international regions

How many employees does Coca-Cola have?

Including its independent bottling partners, it employs over 700,000. But Coca Cola itself has a smaller separate workforce of 79,100 as of 2023.

How does Coca Cola advertise?

Advertised through a multi-faceted approach that blends traditional media with a strong digital & experimental focus. Including:

• Cultural values

• Localised themes & events

• Endorse celebrities

• Language & idiom changes

• Visuals & symbolism

• Product assortment & packaging.

How does Coca Cola Package?

Products are often branded, made, and packaged differently depending on the country due to factors like:

• Local regulations

• Cultural differences

• Market strategies

Global governance and inequalities in global trade Case Study

Banana Wars

What were the Banana Wars primarily about?

Trade disputes over banana import tariffs and market access.

Which two major trading blocs were involved in the Banana Wars?

The European Union and the United States.

Which organisation repeatedly ruled on the Banana Wars?

The World Trade Organization (WTO).

Which group of countries received preferential access under the Lomé Convention?

ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific).

Why did the US become involved in the Banana Wars?

To defend the interests of US‑based TNCs like Chiquita and Dole.

What was the main complaint made by the US to the WTO?

That EU banana import rules discriminated against Latin American bananas.

What type of banana production dominated in ACP countries?

Small‑scale, labour‑intensive farming.

What type of banana production dominated in Latin America?

Large‑scale plantations owned by TNCs like Chiquita.

What was one major social impact on ACP countries?

Threats to livelihoods due to reduced preferential access.

What was one major economic impact on Latin American producers?

Increased access to EU markets after tariff reforms.

What agreement in 2009 helped resolve the Banana Wars?

The Geneva Agreement on Trade in Bananas.

What change did the Geneva Agreement introduce?

Gradual reduction of EU tariffs on Latin American bananas.

Why are the Banana Wars significant in globalisation studies?

They show how trade rules affect development and power relations.

Which TNCs were central to the dispute?

Chiquita, Dole, and Del Monte.

Global Commons Case Study

Antarctica

Location of Antarctica

Located in the Southern Ocean as the 4th largest continent.

Is mostly within the Antarctic Circle fringed by ice shelves such as the Ross Ice Shelf (largest) and the Ronne Ice Shelf (2nd largest)

Key facts about Antarctica’s terrain

• Mountains and rocky terrain located 2,300m above sea level

• 97% covered by glacial ice

• 90% of worlds land ice

• Only exposed land are Nunataks and the Antarctic Peninsula

• Many peaks in the Transantarctic range over 4,000m

Geographical formations in Antarctica - Vinson Massif

Largest Mountain in Antarctica with an altitude of 4892m

Geographical formations in Antarctica - Nunataks

Islands in a sea of ice.

High winds and steep slopes prevent ice and snow accumulating.

Geographical formations in Antarctica - Dry Valleys

Found in areas of high altitude and extreme aridity.

Surrounding mountains prevent the flow of ice from nearby glaciers.

The Antarctic Convergence Zone (ACZ)

Approx. 32-48km wide (varies seasonally)

It’s transition region of the Southern Hemisphere, is where a major boundary zone of the worlds oceans are that separate the waters surrounding Antarctica from the Sub-Antarctic.

Biologically rich zone with unique marine wildlife: Antarctic Krill, Penguins, Seals, Whales

Natural boundary separating:

• Two district hydrological regions

• Areas of Climate

• Areas of Wildlife

Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC)

It flows around the Antarctic as a result of the ACZ

Effectively blocks warmer waters travelling southwards

The circumpolar current flows in an eastward direction, known as the West Wind drift.

A lesser current closer to Antarctica flows in the opposite direction westwards, known as the East Wind drift.

Driven by Easterly polar winds in the Ross and Weddell Sea

Where two currents meet is known as the Antarctic Divergence.

Salty Water

High saline content to water.

Cold water holds more dissolved gases. (e.g. Carbon Dioxide)

Turbulent currents upwell nutrients and minerals from depths.

These are kept in suspension by storms and utilized by phytoplankton.

Thermohaline Circulation

Deep ocean currents driven by differences in the water’s density, controlled by temperature and salinity.

In the poles ocean water gets frigid forming sea ice.

90% of ocean circulation is driven by gravity.

Biological Productivity and Biodiveristy

• Conditions are harsh on land

• Diverse ecosystem

• Biological production is the highest of any ocean

• Blooms from October an ice breakup

• Phytoplankton provides food for the Krill

Threats to Antarctica - Whaling

Began in the early 1900s targeting the most profitable species, depleting stocks to unviable commercial levels and moving to a previously less favoured species.

Declining catches motivated international attempts to regulate whaling, with the International Whaling Commission created in 1949.

In 1986, the IWC suspended all commercial whaling.

Yet Iceland, Norway, Japan, and Russia Whale for ‘scientific research’

Threats to Antarctica - Fishing

Negative Impacts:

• Overfishing of target species

• Effects on predator populations dependent on the target species as a food source

• Mortality of non-target species caught by fishing equipment

• Destruction of habitat

Krill numbers have dropped 80% since the 1980s, attracting unauthorised operations from several countries that are working outside of the regulatory framework, increasing concern.

May involve the use of fishing techniques that can cause the death of non-target species. e.g. Albatross bird.

CCAMLR

Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

Set up in 1982

Made up of 26 members countries and the EU who meet each year to make decision on issues to do with:

• Fisheries

• Total Allowance Catches (TACs)

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Main Aim:

• Conservation of Southern Ocean Marine Life and Ecosystems

• Includes all living organisms found south of the ACZ and their relationships with each other and the environment.

Protection Methods:

• Manage fisheries through an ecosystem based approach.

• MPAs in place (Ross Sea MPA), where fishing and other activities are restricted to safeguard critical habitats and species.

• Bans on killing or harming native birds and mammals without minimal habitat interference.

CCAMLR - Successes

Ecosystem management

Scientific monitoring

Marine Protected Areas

Fishery management

Wildlife management

CCAMLR - Failures

Failed MPA creation

Krill management stall

Consensus paralysis

Climate Change inaction

Geopolitical stalemate

Threats to Antarctica - Climate Change

Greatest long-term threat to the region.

Antarctic Peninsula experiences the most significant ice retreat.

Krill populations could be devastated, undermining the entire southern polar food chain.

Threats to Antarctica - Mineral Resources

Mining is completely banned in Antarctica due to the natural resources of Coal, Oil, Iron, and Uranium. Banned by the Antarctic Treaty and Madrid Protocol.

The Madrid Protocol

Set out the rules about conservation of wildlife, protection of habitats, and control of pollution in 1998.

Antarctic Treaty System (ATS)

Signed by 12 nations including: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, USA, USSR, UK on December 1^st 1959

Main Aim is to preserve Antarctica as a continent dedicated to:

• Peaceful purpose

• Scientific research

• Promoting international cooperation

• Environmental protection

• Freezing territorial disputes

Bans military action, nuclear explosions, mineral exploitation, ensuring freedom of scientific research and exchange of information whilst protecting the environment (ensured through the Madrid Protocol).

The longevity of the ATS (since 1959, with no calls for review since 1991) and its broad membership (12 - 54 nations) shows widespread acceptance

It has been criticised for weak enforcement and slow decision making.

Threats to Antarctica - Tourism and Scientific Research

April 2009 introduced ships with less than 500 passengers can land, only 100 on shore at one time.

International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators Code of Conduct:

• Litter not allowed

• Wildlife not disturbed

• Waste is specially processed

• Plant life protected

• Specially protected areas limited from tourists

• Supervision required at all times

Less than 56,000 tourist between 2018-2019, 107,000 in 2025

Environmental Impacts:

• Trample plants, disturb wildlife, litter

• Introduce non-native species

• Spillage of fuel ships

Modern transport gives easy access to previously inaccessible areas

More of the world’s people have the financial means to visit bucket list destinations

More than 250 flights land at the South Pole every summer

Threats to Antarctica - Pollution

Airborne - Ozone hole as gotten larger allowing more ultra-violet light to let through

“Everyday” - More mundane as casual polluting of everyday life on buses and tourists

Oil Spills - Increase shipping activity (Nov. 2007)

Marine Litter & Flotsam - Birds and Seals get tangled in plastic which cuts into the flesh resulting in serious dying and a slow death

Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC)

Founded in 1978

Has science based policies including: MPAs, combating Climate Change, overfishing, unregulated tourism

Currently campaigning for: MPAs, krill conservation, responsible tourism, microplastic pollution.

Oceanites

Monitor Penguin population

Track environmental change, conduct “boots-on-the-ground” penguin counts, use drone/satellite technology to assess ecosystem health

Successful efforts to establish both general guidance for all Antarctic visitors

Green Peace

Create sanctuaries such as a 1.8 million km² sanctuary in the Weddell Sea

Conduct scientific research such as mapping the seafloor and monitoring biodiversity with eDNA

Document pollution by recording the presence of plastic pollution and hazardous waste

Block fishing activities through direct, non-violent, disruption of krill fishing vessels

Advantages of NGOs in Antarctica

Protect wildlife, limit climate change

Politically independent

NGOs reliance on soft power

Disadvantage of NGOs in Antarctica

Most NGOs are limited on economic resources, since they don’t collect taxes

Continuous need to raise money and funding from the public which can get fierce

Success is hard to measure as NGOs work cross purpose