Reading Check-in: Political Globalization

Political Globalization

The vast integration of governments and institutions within nation-states.

United Nations

Established post-World War II to unify nations to solve issues globally.

Transnational Organizations

Organizations that operate across national borders that influence political governance.

League of Nations

established post-World War I to prevent future world wars but failed due to the lack of US participation.

League of Nations (pt. 2) United Nations

The United Nations learned from the failure of the League of Nations that the United States involvement is essential to the functionality of the UN. Power realities: issues chosen in the best interest of the great powers. International Cooperation: The UN working collaboratively to allow nations to extricate themselves from hostilities.

UN Security Council

Addresses critical issues

UN General Assembly

Approves budget, writes reports, and makes recommendations to the security council

Effectiveness issues

Veto power is only given to 5 nations which causes a delay in responses to critical issues.

Legitimacy issue

Doesn’t represent today’s society, creating an unfair and less democratic council.

Criticisms of the UN

Giving special veto powers to 5 nations which can block action even when needed.

Achievements of the UN

Fostering peace and preventing widespread wars

Internation Court of Justice

Provides judicial support to the security council. Great powers have more access to political, military, and economic resources while smaller states depend on international institutions for security and economic cooperation.

Rise of human rights as doctrine

Due to historical events where human rights were stripped away and the promise to protect people from the government abuse. Became powerful on an international standpoint due to the rise of international organizations. Remains contested as cultures and religions have a different way of interpreting universal rights.

Democratization

The process of society becoming more democratic. It differs from outside powers because it requires external forces which receives a lot of resistance when it’s perceived to be imposed from the outside.

Globalization

Increases connections across the globe through trade and political cooperation.

Globalism

The belief that favors political integration. Populism and nationalism use the language of globalism to criticize globalization by stating that international institutions reduce national sovereignty.

EU and Brexit

Illustrate tension as they want to cooperate with other nations while having national sovereignty. Example 1: EU illustrates integration by working cooperatively with other nations. Example 2: Brexit shows backlash since the UK voted to leave the EU.