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Global Futures

Global Futures. Multilateralism v. Unilateralism: Moving beyond Westphalia?. Terms in supranational and global governance and decision making. Governance: processes and systems by which an organization or society operate.

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Global Futures

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  1. Global Futures Multilateralism v. Unilateralism: Moving beyond Westphalia?

  2. Terms in supranational and global governance and decision making • Governance: processes and systems by which an organization or society operate. • Governments, other institutions such as regional or international: NATO, EU, WTO, ICC • Treaties and agreements • Multilateralism: multiple parties working in concert to address a problem or concern • UN • WTO • European Union • Unilateralism: one party works alone or without broad consensus

  3. Trends in supranational and global governance and decision making • Regionalism • European Union moves to regionalism • NATO, NAFTA, CAFTA, ASEAN, etc. • Emerging sub-state regional entities: US Mexico border planning institutions • Many international institutions and initiatives • ILO International Labor Organization • Trade: WTO, IMF • UN: Security, Health, Welfare • International Criminal Court, etc. etc. • Environmental, Human Rights, Economic, Political Treaties and Agreements

  4. What is the current counter- trend?“Our Law, Your Law”--The Economist on US Unilateralism • US has historically wanted to export rule of law around the world • War Crimes Tribunals • Antitrust laws • Trade: WTO, IMF • Seen as strength, but sometimes also criticized as too much strength • Anti-globalization movement

  5. This is changing: US backing off of and emerging disregard for multilateralism: • Biological Weapons Convention • Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty CTBT(nukes) • WTO: Double standard in trade: steel tariffs/China textiles • Kyoto Protocol • International Criminal Court • Geneva Convention on prisoners of war • Gonzalez appointment to Attorney General (some torture rules are “quaint” • UN Nomination of John Bolton to Ambassadorship • Wants to dismantle the UN

  6. Why is US unilateralist? According to The Economist: • Practical reasons re: terrorism • ICC: vulnerability to retaliation for its policing of the world • Ideological: “it will restrain our autonomy” • US “Exceptionalism”: US is separate and different from all the other countries • Ultimately: Because it is a superpower and so it can

  7. Why is US unilateralist? Robert Kagan: Because it is powerful • typical scenario of power • Europe: Multilateral, peaceful, and progressive • US: needs to be unilateralist to protect world, Europe, and itself as the world superpower • Kagan thesis: The weak countries are always multilateralist, the strong ones are always unilateralist • Europe can “afford” to be multilateralist because US takes care of security/military concerns

  8. Why is US unilateralist?Wallerstein: Because it is becoming relatively weaker • Relative to Post WWII • Politically, economically, culturally dominant • Needs to keep Europe in check economically • Other Key Future concerns: • China • China in conjunction with Russia and/or Japan and/or reunited Korea • Global Social Movements that support people who want more say in democratic decision making

  9. US Imperialism? • “the deliberate exercise of military power and economic influence by powerful states in order to advance and secure their national interests” • Formal governmental control: colonialism • Indirect rule (Rwanda) • Indirect but authoritative pressure • Military threat • Economic sanctions • Cultural domination • Institutions of governance

  10. Is this the most efficient path to democracy, peace, and development? • US: you bet • The Economist, Europe, and other critics: • Costly • Divisive • Arrogant • Potentially less secure • Imperialistic?

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