Political Global Governance
Ukraine, 2014: UN powerless to stop Russia annexing Crimea.
Russia special forces imposed onto Ukraine national sovereignty, held military bases and
international airport.
UN could not do anything, permanent member VETO. Crimea held Russian backed referendum
weather Crimea wanted to stay in Ukraine or Russia, not free and fair election.
UNGA passed resolution condemning Russia’s actions but this not binding in international law, vote
purely symbolic.
Russia’s actions raise questions about UN and NATO, both were powerless in controlling permanent
members .
Global governance tackles: Global financial crises, international terrorism, climate change, world
poverty , global human rights abuses and violent conflict , only being resolved by states working
together.
Factors making world government difficult:
States are the principle actors: international governance only as effective as member states
will allow it to be. Kyoto protocol
International law is largely unenforceable: opt-in and opt-out scenario. States can pick and
choose what to be part of at it suits them.
A lack of international enforcement: states are not forced to recognise them.
Rogue States, failed states and Powerful states all difficult to manage.
Main forms of global governance:
1. IGO’s: UN, formal rules based
2. International treaties : bilateral or multilateral
3. Ad hoc meetings: informal meetings and negotiations.
Organizations Pros Cons
IGO’s: UN and NATO Permanent forum for Gridlocked easy,
debate and powerful states can
negotiation. veto.
Long terms goals Smaller countries out
fulfilled (MDG’s) muscled.
Legitimate actor, clear Effectiveness
rules. (UN charter) determined my
Smaller countries get collective will. (decline
equal voice (UNGA) of spending in NATO)
Membership States find ways of
dependent on limiting IGO power if it
acceptance of liberal encroaches on
values (ratification of sovereignty.
UDHR)
Treaties: NPT Allows likeminded States can choose not
states to create to join onto or ratify
1
, binding international treaties.
law on issues with Even when they have
common interest signed onto them,
Can be more flexible, compliance still
responsive and remains a choice.
inclusive than IGO’s.
Informal meetings: Paris Respond to crisis Less legitimate
summit quickly (covid sometimes unlawful
example?) (Iraq 2003)
Sates more likely to Not binding
accept because they Blocking more likely.
have autonomy over
decision making.
2
Ukraine, 2014: UN powerless to stop Russia annexing Crimea.
Russia special forces imposed onto Ukraine national sovereignty, held military bases and
international airport.
UN could not do anything, permanent member VETO. Crimea held Russian backed referendum
weather Crimea wanted to stay in Ukraine or Russia, not free and fair election.
UNGA passed resolution condemning Russia’s actions but this not binding in international law, vote
purely symbolic.
Russia’s actions raise questions about UN and NATO, both were powerless in controlling permanent
members .
Global governance tackles: Global financial crises, international terrorism, climate change, world
poverty , global human rights abuses and violent conflict , only being resolved by states working
together.
Factors making world government difficult:
States are the principle actors: international governance only as effective as member states
will allow it to be. Kyoto protocol
International law is largely unenforceable: opt-in and opt-out scenario. States can pick and
choose what to be part of at it suits them.
A lack of international enforcement: states are not forced to recognise them.
Rogue States, failed states and Powerful states all difficult to manage.
Main forms of global governance:
1. IGO’s: UN, formal rules based
2. International treaties : bilateral or multilateral
3. Ad hoc meetings: informal meetings and negotiations.
Organizations Pros Cons
IGO’s: UN and NATO Permanent forum for Gridlocked easy,
debate and powerful states can
negotiation. veto.
Long terms goals Smaller countries out
fulfilled (MDG’s) muscled.
Legitimate actor, clear Effectiveness
rules. (UN charter) determined my
Smaller countries get collective will. (decline
equal voice (UNGA) of spending in NATO)
Membership States find ways of
dependent on limiting IGO power if it
acceptance of liberal encroaches on
values (ratification of sovereignty.
UDHR)
Treaties: NPT Allows likeminded States can choose not
states to create to join onto or ratify
1
, binding international treaties.
law on issues with Even when they have
common interest signed onto them,
Can be more flexible, compliance still
responsive and remains a choice.
inclusive than IGO’s.
Informal meetings: Paris Respond to crisis Less legitimate
summit quickly (covid sometimes unlawful
example?) (Iraq 2003)
Sates more likely to Not binding
accept because they Blocking more likely.
have autonomy over
decision making.
2
