UNIT V.

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE Overview

This unit presents the roles and functions of United Nations as the central authority in
global governance and the challenges of it in the 21 st century.

Learning Objective

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. explain global governance;

2. identify the roles and functions of the United Nations;
3. identify the challenges of global governance in the 21st century; and
4. explain the relevance of the state amid globalization.

Setting Up

Name: __________________________________________________ Date:_______________

Course/Year/Section: ________________________________
Directions: The following grid contains ten (10) terms/names associated with Global
Governance. Find and encircle them. Look for them in all directions possible.
G C D G J N X C Q S Z L J E
G O E T U A U T H O R I T Y
I K V A P T A S D F G M H F
L T I E O I M E W P E A C E
O P P E R O T E R O L I O S
R U R C B N A E D U C Y U N
E I O W T O M B B S I K N P
W E B C O C B E V T G A T G
O B L A W L M B N A M M R N
P R E J L E C W Q T T F I S
H A M A B C D E F E G E E E
A E I O U Z Y X W V U E S C
N T N E M P O L E V E D Z A
Lesson Proper
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Various emerging trends brought by

globalization need governance to
maintain world order.

What is global governance and what it does?

Global governance is a continuous process of balancing different interests and

initiating cooperative action between different countries. Governments in countries need
cooperation and integration to have a just system for conflict resolution. However, there is no
such thing as a “world government”.
Set of norms, policies, laws, or regulations are needed to facilitate relations within
countries and amongst countries, organizations and market. This is an example of global
governance. Global Governance is needed when a state or a country do not have the capacity to
solve problems on their own. There are cases whereby groups of countries have problems with
each other. These countries cannot solve the problem by themselves. Global Governance is also
needed.
Factors behind the Emergence of Global Governance
With the increasing economic prowess in key areas such as energy, food, transport, and
healthcare, global corporations are becoming more powerful. They yield a strong influence on
many global policies. Global civil society organizations also have a strong voice and influence
on global matters as they have established historical credibility, relevance, and effectiveness in
resolving problems in times of conflict or disaster.
2. Permeability of nation-states to vast flows of things
Fake news, cyberbullying, invasion of privacy and other digital fraudulent activities are the
results of easy, fast, and difficult-to-control flow of digital information through social media.
This calls for global governance because a single nation-state cannot tackle these issues on
their own.
3. Mass migration of people and the flow of criminal elements
The migration of people may result in some forms of unlawful activities such as sex
trafficking and the pushing of illegal drugs. This calls for global governance as it needs strong
regulatory policies, international cooperation, and effective implementation of the law for the
protection of the citizens.
4. Internal events or problems which nation-states either instigate or are unable to
control on their own
One great example of this is the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. The drug policy of
the Philippine government or also known as the “war on drugs” has led to mass protests and
violence. This calls for intervention from international organizations, however, the Philippine
government has resisted.
5. Global problems that a single nation-state is unable to tackle on their own
The global financial crisis is an example of a problem wherein states do not have the capacity
to solve on their own. This calls for global governance. Another example: The COVID-19
Pandemic

States, as well as non-state actors, work together to come up with mutually beneficial Global
Governance
ROLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE (un.org)
There is no “Central Authority” in Global Governance but the United Nations comes close to
being a “Central Authority” to raise and resolve global issues as they have the capability to
involve many non-state actors (governmental and non-governmental organizations, etc).
What is the United Nations? (un.org)
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II. It is
currently made up of 193 Member States. It fosters cooperation among nation-states to
address global problems.

Main Bodies of the United Nations

General Assembly
General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking,
and representative body of the United Nations. It is where
all member-states come together to discuss and resolve
various global issues.
Security Council
The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace
and security. It is composed of 15 members: the United States of America, Britain, Russia,
China, and France as permanent members and ten other non-permanent members on a two-
year term.
Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy
dialogue and recommendations on economic, social, environmental, and other related
concerns along with specialized agencies and organizations such as IMF, UNESCO, WHO and
etc. It is the United Nations’ central platform for reflection, debate, and innovative thinking on
sustainable development.
Trusteeship Council
The Trusteeship Council provides international supervision for eleven Trust Territories to
ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the Territories for selfgovernment and
interdependence. But it suspended its operations after the last of the trust territories attained
independence in 1994.
International Court of Justice
International Court of Justice or also referred to as the World Court, is the principal
judicial body of the United Nations. It is the only one of the main bodies of the United Nations
not located in New York, USA. The Peace Palace in Hague, Netherlands provides the venue for
countries to settle disputes inside a court of law.
Secretariat
Secretariat assists the other bodies and committees while performing varied tasks. It
comprises the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN staff members who
carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly. The Secretary-
General is chief administrative officer of the Organization, appointed by the General Assembly
on the recommendation of the Security Council.
Roles and Functions of the United Nations (un.org)
1. Maintain International Peace and Security
The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World
War, with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN
does this by working to prevent conflict; helping parties in conflict make peace; peacekeeping;
and creating the conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish. These activities often overlap
and should reinforce one another, to be effective.

2. Protection of Human Rights

The promotion and protection of human rights is a key purpose and guiding principle of the
Organization. In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights brought human rights into
the realm of international law. Since then, the Organization has diligently protected human
rights through legal instruments and on-the-ground activities.
 1. Deliver Humanitarian Aid
One of the purposes of the United Nations is to achieve international co-operation in solving
international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character. The
organization relied upon by the international community to coordinate humanitarian relief
operations due to natural and man-made disasters in areas beyond the relief capacity of
national authorities alone.

2. Promote Sustainable Development

From the start in 1945, one of the main priorities of the United Nations was to achieve
international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or
humanitarian character. Improving people’s well-being continues to be one of the main focuses
of the UN. Sustainable development promotes prosperity and economic opportunity, greater
social well-being, and protection of the environment. The organization offers this best path
forward for improving the lives of people everywhere.

3. Uphold International Law

The UN Charter, in its Preamble, set an objective: "to establish conditions under which justice
and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can
be maintained". Ever since, the development of, and respect for international law has been a
key part of the work of the Organization. This work is carried out in many ways — by courts,
tribunals, multilateral treaties - and by the Security Council, which can approve peacekeeping
missions, impose sanctions, or authorize the use of force when there is a threat to international
peace and security.
Since 1945, the United Nations has been a champion of the following global concerns:
•• Preventing and managing conflicts • • Empowering women
• Regulating armaments • • Educating children
Championing human rights and • Feeding the hungry
• international humanitarian law Housing the refugees
• Liberating the colonized Coordinating disaster
Providing economic and technical aid assistance
in newly liberated countries relief and

CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL GOVERNANCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY

First, let us define global governance in the 21st century, global governance is the system of
decision-making and cooperation among international players, such as nations,
intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and civil society, is referred
to as global governance.
Global governance in the twenty-first century encounters a variety of basic challenges, many of
which are associated with problems of power, resource limitations, coherence of policy, and the
emergence of unofficial self-regulatory organizations. Here is a more thorough description of
each of these difficulties.
➢ Indistinct and diffused authority

The power to make decisions on major international issues has become increasingly dispersed
and unclear in the twenty-first century. Traditional state-centric forms of governance find it
difficult to effectively manage complicated global issues. Non-state individuals have become
more visible, concealing the boundaries of power. Examples include multinational firms, NGOs,
and international organizations. Giving responsibility for decisions is difficult since they
frequently include the participation of several different entities.

➢ Vast disparities in power and influence among state and non-state actors

State and non-state actors have significantly different levels of influence and power. Smaller
nations and weaker actors frequently suffer because of the enormous influence held by a small
number of big states and enterprises. These inequalities may make it more difficult to resolve
global issues fairly since strong people may use their position to further their own agendas at
the expense of others.

➢ Lack of resources of the UN and other actors

The United Nations (UN) and other international organizations frequently lack the staff and
funds needed to resolve global concerns. Their capacity to implement remedies and assist
developing nations may be hindered by this restriction. Member governments' reluctance to
provide these groups more money might make this problem worse.

➢ Incoherent policies of global governance actors

States and international organizations are two examples of different global governance players
who may have different or contradictory agendas. This lack of policy consistency can hinder
collective action and make it challenging to adequately address global concerns. National
interests sometimes take precedence over international ones, which results in fragmented
policy.

➢ Decentralized and informal self-regulatory groups

Decentralized and informal self-regulatory organizations, including industrial consortia and

non-state players, have grown in number in the twenty-first century and create their own
norms and standards. These organizations may function independently of conventional political
systems. These organizations may be more adaptable and receptive to problems, but they may
also lack openness and accountability, which might jeopardize efforts at global governance.
To solve these issues, a multidimensional strategy that promotes collaboration between
states and non-state actors, strengthens international institutions, addresses power disparities,
and improves openness and accountability is necessary. To effectively handle global concerns, it
is also necessary to change global governance structures to better reflect 21st-century reality
and the interdependence of states.
Some Key Challenges
The persistence of nationalistic interests, the difficulties in forging international consensus
or broad agreement, the diffused and ill-defined authority of international institutions, and the
challenges in developing cogent policies to address emerging global trends have all had a
significant impact on the dynamics of global governance in the twenty-first century. The
significance of each of these elements in the context of modern global governance is explained
as follows:
1. Nationalistic Interests
The challenging part of getting countries’ cooperation for the sake of global interest is their
differences in terms of national agenda or preferences. Country leaders always must choose
between balancing acts or to give-in unpopular decisions to go against international norms.
In the twenty-first century, nationalistic interests relate to the prioritizing of a nation's own
concerns, goals, and welfare over those of other nations. These interests are motivated by a
desire to preserve internal stability, defend national sovereignty, and advance a country's
economic, political, and security interests internationally. Here are some instances of how
nationalistic interests impact international governance:
Example: Territorial disputes between China and the Philippines
Territorial disputes are a common occurrence among nations, as seen by the conflict in the
South China Sea between China and its neighbors, including the Philippines. Conflicting national
claims to territory and resources are the root of most disputes, making it difficult to settle them
amicably through international collaboration.
2. Lack of Consensus or General Agreement
It is difficult to come up with a common vision and agreed action plan if major powers are often
hesitant to engage less prominent stakeholders on issues.
In the twenty-first century, it can be challenging for countries to reach consensus or broad
agreement on international problems for several reasons:
Major Power Dynamics: Larger or less prominent stakeholders may be reluctant to interact with
powerful nations, which can result in stalemate and a lack of agreement. Major nations may put
their own interests ahead of international collaboration, particularly when it comes to matters
like nuclear disarmament.
Example: Nuclear Energy policies
3. Indistinct and diffused authority
States can evade international laws with no major consequences. They assert their sovereignty
when dealing with international disputes.
The power of international institutions and organizations might be hazy and lying in the
twenty-first century, making it challenging to effectively enforce international rules or norms:
Sovereignty Assertion: States frequently emphasize their sovereign rights when confronted
with international issues or commitments. This claim might restrict the power of international
governance organizations and weaken their capacity to solve problems like environmental
problems or breaches of human rights.
4. Incoherent policies on emerging trends
Global Governance is too slow to catch up with global issues or dilemmas brought by the speed
of technological changes. In today’s digital world, the challenge is how to mainline the free flow
of information while having appropriate policies to control cyber aggression.
Global trends and challenges can emerge quickly, making it difficult for global governing
systems to adjust.
Technology Advancements: The ability of international governance organizations to create
cogent policy has been outpaced by the rate of technology progress. For instance, maintaining a
free flow of information while preventing cyber violence presents a difficult task in the digital
era. Policies governing topics such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence
sometimes lag advancements in technology.
These elements collectively show the variety and difficulties of modern global governance.
While the need for international cooperation to address urgent global issues is acknowledged,
the complexity of global governance efforts in the modern era is largely due to the persistence
of nationalistic interests, difficulty in reaching consensus, limitations of international authority,
and the quick pace of emerging trends. Addressing these issues calls for diplomacy,
collaboration, and a dedication to fostering international peace, security, and prosperity.
GLOBALIZATION AND THE STATE
Technology, trade, communication, and cultural exchange improvements have all
contributed to a rise in global interconnection and interdependence, which is known as
globalization. It crosses conventional physical and political barriers to incorporate the
movement of people, commodities, services, information, ideas, and people across national
borders. On the other hand, states are sovereign political entities in charge of administering
inside their own borders. States have difficulties in the context of globalization balancing their
national interests, maintaining their sovereignty, and taking part in international partnerships
and institutions that have an impact on global economy, politics, culture, and security. As
nations negotiate the possibilities and challenges brought on by this revolutionary global
phenomenon, the connection between globalization and the state is marked by complex
interplay.
GLOBALIZATION AND THE STATE
The Relevance of the State amid Globalization
Others argue that State is now irrelevant because it cannot keep up with globalization. On the
other hand, the State is more relevant today because it can influence the direction of
globalization. But both arguments miss the point. States’ legitimacy is not based on how it can
handle globalization. It is based on how effective it can utilize its public goods rather than the
other actors in the process of globalization. There are few cases only where the other actors
are more effective and competent in addressing specific issues than the States. Until or unless
various actors can perform better services than what the State does now on a macro scale,
then the State will continue to be a major force in globalization.
The Difference between Nation and the State

The state is a distinctive political community with its own government which asserts
sovereignty over its land and people.
A nation is a large group of people who inhabit a specific territory and are connected by
history, culture, or another commonality.
Nation-State is a sovereign institution that governs individuals sharing a collective history and
culture within a bounded territory. The state is considered as the representative of “the
people” and the people are the source of the state’s legitimacy and sovereignty.

References

Internet
A factor analysis on trade integration. (2009). Retrieved from https://www.cairn.info/revue-
economie-internationale-2009-3-page-5.htm
Global Governance – Shaping Globalization. (2020, February 28). Retrieved from
https://english.bdi.eu/article/news/global-governance-shaping-globalization/
Identify the factors leading to greater integration of the asian region. (2018). Retrieved July 20,
2020, from https://brainly.ph/question/1710817
JSTOR: Access Check. (2008). Retrieved July 20, 2020, from
https://www.jstor.org/stable/20455071?seq=1
SAGE Journals: Your gateway to world-class research journals. (2019). Retrieved from
https://journals.sagepub.com/action/cookieAbsent?journalCode=iqqa
Wiley-Blackwell. (2012). City Research Online - Globalization and the mass media. Retrieved
July 20, 2020, from https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/5542/
What Is Globalization? | Globalization101. (2020). Retrieved
from https://www.globalization101.org/what-is-globalization/

Book

Al-Rodhan, N. R. (2006). Program on the geopolitical implications of globalization and

transnational security. Definitions of Globalization: A Comprehensive Overview and a
Proposed Definition.

Baylis, J. (1999). The globalization of world politics: An introduction to international relations.

Oxford university press, USA.

Larsson, T. (2001). The race to the top: The real story of globalization. Cato Institute.

Therborn, G. (2000). Globalizations: dimensions, historical waves, regional effects, normative

governance. International sociology, 15(2), 151-179.
UNIT V (QUIZ)
IDENTIFICATION
DIRECTION: Identify what is being decribed in each number. CAPITAL LETTERS only.
WORLD COURT 1. International Court of Justice or also called?
SECURITY COUNCIL 2. It has a primary responsibility for the maintenance of international
peace and security.
54 MEMBERS 3. How many people are included in the Economic and Social Council, which
has a three-year term.
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE 4. What do you called the office of 15 judges that found in
the hague Netherlands?
VETO POWER 5. What do you called the power of P5 that have an ablity to stop the resolution?
GLOBALIZATION 6. It is the process through which societies have interconnected that events
and decisions in one part of the world significantly effects of the lives of people in the part of
the world.
ARISTOTLE 7. According to him “A good citizen makes a good state”.
STATES 8. It is an organized political community living under a single system of government.
NATION 9. It is a large group of people who inhabit a specific territory and are connected by
history, culture, or another commonality?
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE 10. This refers to continuous process of balancing different interests
and initiating cooperative action between different countries.
II. ENEMERATION: (2pts)
Give at least 2 Main Bodies of the United Nations.
1.
2.

Enumerate the 3 features of a state

1.
2.
3
TRUE OR FALSE
DIRECTION: Write "NATION" if the statement is correct and "STATE" if it is false.
NATION. 1. In global governance a set of norms, policies, laws, or regulations are needed to
facilitate relations within countries and amongst countries.
STATE 2. The migration of people may not result in some forms of unlawful activities such as
sex trafficking and the pushing of illegal drugs.
NATION 3. The global financial crisis is an example of a problem wherein states do not have the
capacity to solve on their own.
STATE 4. Nation is an organized political community living under a single system of
government.
NATION 5. Global governance arise if there are problems that a single nation-state is unable to
tackle on their own.
NATION 6. The challenging part of getting countries’ cooperation for the sake of global interest
is their differences in terms of national agenda or preferences.
NATION 7. States can evade international laws with no major consequences. They assert their
sovereignty when dealing with international disputes.
STATE 8. 21st Century is the system of decision-making and cooperation among international
players, such as nations, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations,
and civil society, is referred to as global governance.
STATE 9. Decentralized and informal self-regulatory groups may function independently of
conventional political systems.
NATION 10. The power to make decisions on major international issues has become
increasingly dispersed and unclear in the twenty-first century.