Academiejaar 2025 -2026
Globalisation and global governance
Professor Dries Lesage
Lesson 1: The world as a failed state
I. Globalisation, global issues & global governance (defining some key
concepts)
Globalisation = integration (economic/societies background),
interdependence/connected worldwide, a process with a wide impact. About
crossing borders. Boosted by technological innovation and political decisions to
open up borders (e.g. for markets, investments). Human made process.
- De-globalisation? Backlashes E.g. protectionism Trump: MAGA/tariff war,
geopolitics and search for independence
Global governance = setting global rules to manage globalisation , global
institutions and treaties, global policy to tackle global problems (e.g. GAZA),
≠government, global, actors/institutions who are not formal or clearly defined (=
not a central authority like a government), uses ≠ instrument to try to implement
global policies, competition is possible. Includes intergovernmental cooperation
on global level, NGO’s, companies, multinationals,…. Also includes what
multilateral institutions do to influence local conditions
Globalisation adding to global issues (multiple crises)? Globalisation can deepens
intervulnerability
- E.g. global environmental problems = nature as a not human made
ecosystem, but processes of globalisation exacerbate the problems (e.g.
by increasing fossil-fuel-dependent mobility = traveling adding to global
warming)
- E.g. globalisation => concentrated production = interdependence = extra
vulnerable when there are disruptions in global chain
- E.g. Unbalances financial-economic globalisation and competition= ads to
inequality, underdevelopment
Global governance adding to problematic globalisation
- E.g. Organisations like WTO => pushing for liberalisation of markets =
leading to east-Asian financial crisis + China in WTO => leading to
extreme competition and not respecting core values (labour standards)
- E.g. global governance mostly represent interest of rich countries =
unequal power distribution
Globalisation complicating global governance
- E.g. globalisation adding to a race to the bottom (competitiveness) =>
lower climate policy ambitions or less development aid
- E.g. globalisation = interdependence e.g. Isreal for some good => not
reacting to their genocide in Gaza
- E.g. globalisation = leading to social-economic insecurity => leading to
backlash and protectionism and even populism undermining global
governance (e.g. Trump’s exit in Paris agreements)
, II. Topical trends impacting global governance
Multiple crises
- Chronical = structural long crises: e.g. poverty, refugees, climate,..
- Acute = e.g. global financial crisis, Russian invasion, …
- Global poly-crisis (= relations (interconnected) between various crises.)
≠ crisis spill over across systems, exacerbating and reshaping each
other
The whole is more dangerous as the sum of the part
E.g. interaction between covid, climate change, wars,… = Covid hits
health causing spill over to economic chains = affecting also food
production (that already is fragile due to climate change) => all of this
affecting political stability that also impacts/ contribute to conflicts or
starting conflict => …
Geopolitical shifts
- Powershifts = deepening multipolarity = difficulties the world (but also
capabilities)
E.g. Capabilities: peace keeping, Chinese vaccines in Covid, ..
- Power equalisation (=democratisation) with heterogeneity interest =
difficult decision making
- Powers struggling with multilateral institutions
- Multilateral institutions adapting to power: e.g. IMF (see further on)
- Multilateral organisations in crisis: e.g. WTO
- Fragmentation: e.g. new organisations bringing other interests then the
west = BRICS and impact UN (=eroding)
Geopolitical tension and war
- e.g. Russian invasion, weaker US-Eu alliance, US-China tension, war in
GAZA and Sudan, arms races, …
- Exacerbating global issues (e.g. poverty, refugees,…)
- Leading to less political capital, trust and cooperation
Political capita: time/energy thet policy makers can spend on
international agenda’s = e.g. climate less on agenda because of
Russian invasion
Nationalist-populist backlash against globalisation and global governance
- Backlash due to migration, socio-economic security,… +
nationalist/populists: against globalisation and against backlash of Western
power in global governance
- Crisis of liberal internationalism
Liberal internationalism: promotion of liberal democracy, neoliberal
globalisations (= open markets) and multilateral institutions
Critics: The end of international order/ liberal internationalism? e.g.
Mearsheimer: ‘self-defeating liberal internationalism’
Liberal promotion => leading to war/hypocrisy = backlash in non-
west e.g. Rise of ISIS in ashes of Iraq invasion
Free markets = competition = social insecurity = nationalist
backlash
Multilateral organisations losing support (e.g. WTO/UN)
Non-liberal states benefit but undermine
Unmanaged globalisation/global issues => populistic anti- global
backlash => reducing international cooperation => gridlock =>
, Unmanaged globalisation/ global issues => populistic backlash =>
and so on ….
Growing regime complexity, erosion UN centrality = fragmentation = eroding UN
centrality
- Regime complexes: overlapping non-hierarchical institutions governing
similar issue-areas
Effectiveness?
+) specialisation, healthy competition?, flexibility, not putting
everything in one basket, creating organisation that fit your interests
(e.g. BRICS),..
-) eroding UN, duplication of work, dysfunctional, forum shopping by
big powers (=moving to another organisation in favour of their
interests), gaps, no central overview, giving power inequality (poor
countries no budget or little voice), undermining official treaties, …
Examples: Global Health Governance: world bank, WHO (=UN agency),
Bill gates funds, Global funds for aids,…
Complexes = major policy challenge, but sometimes also a success:
GSD’s = ≠ organisations working together for this
III. A horizon for global governance
World as a failed state? Failed states (e.g. Yemen): fallen states where warlords
took over leadership
- Under provision of global public goods: safety, health,…
- ‘gates communities’ (e.g. EU) ‘global warlords’ (e.g. Putin) ‘ no go-areas’
- No final responsibility for global public goods = because there is no global
government
- The best we have = ‘Global compassionate conservatism’
Global public goods
- Global public goods: goods that every person can enjoy in a non-
exclusive (=accessible for all) and non-rival way. E.g. security, healthy
environment, financial stability,…
Assumes: world community (= equal human beings entitled to human
rights) for witch states/international communities are responsible
= global governance with similar functions as state in lieu of world
government
= Inclusive multilateralism
= keeping policies as close to the people
, Lesson 2: The UN 2030 agenda & sustainable development goals
I. The United Nations
Organisation chart
- Created in 1945, as the failed predecessor op the League of Nations
- 4 main reasons of creation: maintaining peace and security, protecting
human rights, uphold international law and promote social process
- HQ is in New York, the second in Geneva + UN charter as the
underpinning treaty of the UN
- Intergovernmental bodies UN (= the bodies where the member states are
represented by their diplomats on daily base):
General assembly (= 193 members, 1 country 1 vote, non-binding
resolutions = more about poral politics)
Security council (15 members (included 5 permanent with veto =
VS/FR/UK/CH/RUS, others elected for 2year), binding (or non-binding)
resolutions)
About international security, war and peace
- Secretary UN: prepares and implement
Led by secretary general: this moment: António Guterres
- Economic and social council: follow up policy processes, policy and
advising = no political power (54 member on rotation system)
- International court of justice: disputes between states (≠ international
crime court = not UN)
- Set of specialised agencies: own decision making and budget,
intergovernmental and very autonomous
E.g. WHO, UNESCO,…
- Funds and programmes: weaker political autonomy
E.g. UNICEF, UNRWA, …
II. UN SWOT analysis
SWOT analysis
- Strengths:
Universal diplomatic hub/meeting point
All members having a voice/represented (inclusive!) = when decisions
are made it say’s something about the world
Legal power (e.g. military operations and UN mandate)
Rule/treaty based multilateralism (= legitimate)
UN offices in countries = staying close to the people
Specific agencies = expertise
Agenda’s = neutrality, inclusive, open agenda’s (not predetermined) =
can contain everything) + built-in agenda’s = continuity (=sort of path
dependency),
Agenda setting by secretary and bodies
UN = moral/normative power
- Weaknesses:
Globalisation and global governance
Professor Dries Lesage
Lesson 1: The world as a failed state
I. Globalisation, global issues & global governance (defining some key
concepts)
Globalisation = integration (economic/societies background),
interdependence/connected worldwide, a process with a wide impact. About
crossing borders. Boosted by technological innovation and political decisions to
open up borders (e.g. for markets, investments). Human made process.
- De-globalisation? Backlashes E.g. protectionism Trump: MAGA/tariff war,
geopolitics and search for independence
Global governance = setting global rules to manage globalisation , global
institutions and treaties, global policy to tackle global problems (e.g. GAZA),
≠government, global, actors/institutions who are not formal or clearly defined (=
not a central authority like a government), uses ≠ instrument to try to implement
global policies, competition is possible. Includes intergovernmental cooperation
on global level, NGO’s, companies, multinationals,…. Also includes what
multilateral institutions do to influence local conditions
Globalisation adding to global issues (multiple crises)? Globalisation can deepens
intervulnerability
- E.g. global environmental problems = nature as a not human made
ecosystem, but processes of globalisation exacerbate the problems (e.g.
by increasing fossil-fuel-dependent mobility = traveling adding to global
warming)
- E.g. globalisation => concentrated production = interdependence = extra
vulnerable when there are disruptions in global chain
- E.g. Unbalances financial-economic globalisation and competition= ads to
inequality, underdevelopment
Global governance adding to problematic globalisation
- E.g. Organisations like WTO => pushing for liberalisation of markets =
leading to east-Asian financial crisis + China in WTO => leading to
extreme competition and not respecting core values (labour standards)
- E.g. global governance mostly represent interest of rich countries =
unequal power distribution
Globalisation complicating global governance
- E.g. globalisation adding to a race to the bottom (competitiveness) =>
lower climate policy ambitions or less development aid
- E.g. globalisation = interdependence e.g. Isreal for some good => not
reacting to their genocide in Gaza
- E.g. globalisation = leading to social-economic insecurity => leading to
backlash and protectionism and even populism undermining global
governance (e.g. Trump’s exit in Paris agreements)
, II. Topical trends impacting global governance
Multiple crises
- Chronical = structural long crises: e.g. poverty, refugees, climate,..
- Acute = e.g. global financial crisis, Russian invasion, …
- Global poly-crisis (= relations (interconnected) between various crises.)
≠ crisis spill over across systems, exacerbating and reshaping each
other
The whole is more dangerous as the sum of the part
E.g. interaction between covid, climate change, wars,… = Covid hits
health causing spill over to economic chains = affecting also food
production (that already is fragile due to climate change) => all of this
affecting political stability that also impacts/ contribute to conflicts or
starting conflict => …
Geopolitical shifts
- Powershifts = deepening multipolarity = difficulties the world (but also
capabilities)
E.g. Capabilities: peace keeping, Chinese vaccines in Covid, ..
- Power equalisation (=democratisation) with heterogeneity interest =
difficult decision making
- Powers struggling with multilateral institutions
- Multilateral institutions adapting to power: e.g. IMF (see further on)
- Multilateral organisations in crisis: e.g. WTO
- Fragmentation: e.g. new organisations bringing other interests then the
west = BRICS and impact UN (=eroding)
Geopolitical tension and war
- e.g. Russian invasion, weaker US-Eu alliance, US-China tension, war in
GAZA and Sudan, arms races, …
- Exacerbating global issues (e.g. poverty, refugees,…)
- Leading to less political capital, trust and cooperation
Political capita: time/energy thet policy makers can spend on
international agenda’s = e.g. climate less on agenda because of
Russian invasion
Nationalist-populist backlash against globalisation and global governance
- Backlash due to migration, socio-economic security,… +
nationalist/populists: against globalisation and against backlash of Western
power in global governance
- Crisis of liberal internationalism
Liberal internationalism: promotion of liberal democracy, neoliberal
globalisations (= open markets) and multilateral institutions
Critics: The end of international order/ liberal internationalism? e.g.
Mearsheimer: ‘self-defeating liberal internationalism’
Liberal promotion => leading to war/hypocrisy = backlash in non-
west e.g. Rise of ISIS in ashes of Iraq invasion
Free markets = competition = social insecurity = nationalist
backlash
Multilateral organisations losing support (e.g. WTO/UN)
Non-liberal states benefit but undermine
Unmanaged globalisation/global issues => populistic anti- global
backlash => reducing international cooperation => gridlock =>
, Unmanaged globalisation/ global issues => populistic backlash =>
and so on ….
Growing regime complexity, erosion UN centrality = fragmentation = eroding UN
centrality
- Regime complexes: overlapping non-hierarchical institutions governing
similar issue-areas
Effectiveness?
+) specialisation, healthy competition?, flexibility, not putting
everything in one basket, creating organisation that fit your interests
(e.g. BRICS),..
-) eroding UN, duplication of work, dysfunctional, forum shopping by
big powers (=moving to another organisation in favour of their
interests), gaps, no central overview, giving power inequality (poor
countries no budget or little voice), undermining official treaties, …
Examples: Global Health Governance: world bank, WHO (=UN agency),
Bill gates funds, Global funds for aids,…
Complexes = major policy challenge, but sometimes also a success:
GSD’s = ≠ organisations working together for this
III. A horizon for global governance
World as a failed state? Failed states (e.g. Yemen): fallen states where warlords
took over leadership
- Under provision of global public goods: safety, health,…
- ‘gates communities’ (e.g. EU) ‘global warlords’ (e.g. Putin) ‘ no go-areas’
- No final responsibility for global public goods = because there is no global
government
- The best we have = ‘Global compassionate conservatism’
Global public goods
- Global public goods: goods that every person can enjoy in a non-
exclusive (=accessible for all) and non-rival way. E.g. security, healthy
environment, financial stability,…
Assumes: world community (= equal human beings entitled to human
rights) for witch states/international communities are responsible
= global governance with similar functions as state in lieu of world
government
= Inclusive multilateralism
= keeping policies as close to the people
, Lesson 2: The UN 2030 agenda & sustainable development goals
I. The United Nations
Organisation chart
- Created in 1945, as the failed predecessor op the League of Nations
- 4 main reasons of creation: maintaining peace and security, protecting
human rights, uphold international law and promote social process
- HQ is in New York, the second in Geneva + UN charter as the
underpinning treaty of the UN
- Intergovernmental bodies UN (= the bodies where the member states are
represented by their diplomats on daily base):
General assembly (= 193 members, 1 country 1 vote, non-binding
resolutions = more about poral politics)
Security council (15 members (included 5 permanent with veto =
VS/FR/UK/CH/RUS, others elected for 2year), binding (or non-binding)
resolutions)
About international security, war and peace
- Secretary UN: prepares and implement
Led by secretary general: this moment: António Guterres
- Economic and social council: follow up policy processes, policy and
advising = no political power (54 member on rotation system)
- International court of justice: disputes between states (≠ international
crime court = not UN)
- Set of specialised agencies: own decision making and budget,
intergovernmental and very autonomous
E.g. WHO, UNESCO,…
- Funds and programmes: weaker political autonomy
E.g. UNICEF, UNRWA, …
II. UN SWOT analysis
SWOT analysis
- Strengths:
Universal diplomatic hub/meeting point
All members having a voice/represented (inclusive!) = when decisions
are made it say’s something about the world
Legal power (e.g. military operations and UN mandate)
Rule/treaty based multilateralism (= legitimate)
UN offices in countries = staying close to the people
Specific agencies = expertise
Agenda’s = neutrality, inclusive, open agenda’s (not predetermined) =
can contain everything) + built-in agenda’s = continuity (=sort of path
dependency),
Agenda setting by secretary and bodies
UN = moral/normative power
- Weaknesses:
