Global Governance: Institutions and Challenges
| Module title | Global Governance: Institutions and Challenges |
|---|---|
| Module code | POLM167 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Nick Kirsop-Taylor () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
The module provides you with an advanced introduction to the institutions, organisations and actors addressing key global challenges in the absence of a world government. You will learn to use theories and empirical research findings from the fields of international relations, public policy and politics in order to understand the role of, as well as the way in which the most important institutions and actors deal with global problems. The different perspectives will be put to work, illustrated and evaluated against the backdrop of crucial challenges constituting today’s global policy environment: democratization; economic and financial stability; development and the fight against poverty; the environment; security. This is a compulsory core module available only to students registered in the MSc Global Governance. It is suitable for non-specialists. Yet, if you come from a non-Politics/Policy/IR background the module convenor will ask you to read a series of material selected as a “common ground” for further discussion and learning.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of the module is to equip you with the necessary tools to understand how global life is governed in the absence of a world government. The objective is to enquire into the nature of global governance at a moment in time when uncertainties reign; state power is eroded; new powerful non-state actors are becoming stronger; novel patterns of governance are emerging; global political and economic power is continuously transformed and redistributed; the world is becoming wealthier, but inequality is still rife; the climate is changing; populism is on the rise; security risks are changing; improving health in parts of the globe are juxtaposed to ill health in others.
You will learn to use theories and empirical research findings from the fields of international relations, public policy and politics in order to understand the role of, as well as the way in which global institutions and actors deal with global problems. The different perspectives will be put to work, illustrated and evaluated against the backdrop of crucial challenges constituting today’s global policy environment:
- Democratization and Human Rights
- International Institutions of Global Finance
- World Trade & Tariffs
- Economic Development, Poverty and Global Inequalities
- Public Health in a Global Context
- Climate Change and Migration
- Global (in)security
The module asks the following fundamental questions. What is the meaning of global governance and how can the concept be juxtaposed to the idea of a world government? What is happening to the power of the nation state? Are new actors emerging and which ones? How is authority relocated? What is good governance? What are the normative principles driving global governance? Does global governance have an ideology? Which world political, economic and legal order in the era of global governance? How is governance exercised within and across the world in the early 21st century? What are the major challenges for global governance? Is global governance achieving its goals? How can global governance be made more effective and accountable? How do policies enter the global agenda? How and from whom are global policies designed, decided and implemented?
In order to answer these questions you will draw on an interdisciplinary body of past theoretical and empirical studies, as well as emerging frontier research in the fields of international relations, public policy and comparative politics, with a specific focus on global governance.
In accordance with the teaching and learning logic of the MSc in Global Governance, teaching in the core module is research-led, ensuring that what you learn will be cutting edge and at the heart of contemporary public debate. You will also be expected to take the role of researcher yourself and produce your own research as well as comment on research of your peers.
Learning is student-led. In practice, this consists of two core activities:
- Extensive reading and reflection in preparation for the seminar discussions
- Group work, class debate and discussions, small-group and individual presentations.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Articulate in detail the concepts and theories on global governance institutions and global policy challenges.
- 2. Apply theories and empirical findings from past and frontier research in global governance, international relations, public policy and politics in order to explain and critically appraise the role of global governance actors and institutions in addressing global policy challenges.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Find, use and critically analyse a range of material, including empirical and theoretical studies published in scientific journals, books and conference papers; policy reports and guidelines published by governments, administrations and international organisations; news and internet items.
- 4. Critically analyse both empirical and theoretical material by applying theoretical arguments to empirical case studies.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Communicate ideas effectively both formally during presentations and informally during class discussions.
- 6. Communicate ideas effectively in a given number of words in written form.
- 7. Work independently and in groups under tight time constraints.
Syllabus plan
The module consists of an advanced introduction to the concept of global governance and two main parts. In part I you will be introduced to the main institutions and actors, active in the process of global governance. The module will focus on the United Nations system; regional organisations like the EU, NAFTA, ASEAN etc; global civil society (Green Peace; Amnesty International etc); and transnational public administrations (G20; FIFA etc). In part II the module focuses on specific global policy challenges, ranging from democratization and human rights to economic development, health, the environment and security.
Introduction
Concepts and theory
PART I: Global institutions and actors
The UN; regional organisations; civil society; transnational administrations
PART II: Global challenges
Democracy & human rights; fight against poverty; global finance; health; environment; security
Conclusion
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 278 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 278 | Reading set texts and wider reading (100); conducting research (100); preparing for assignments (78) |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 500 words | 1-7 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 long (research project) | 50 | 4000 words | 1-7 | Written |
| Essay 2 short (opinion editorial, or policy brief) | 30 | 1200 words | 1-7 | Written |
| Group presentation (global challenges debate) | 20 | 15 minutes | 1-7 | Written & oral by peers |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 long (research project) | Essay 1 long (research project) | 1-7 | Term 2 reassessment period |
| Essay 2 short (opinion editorial, or policy brief) | Essay 2 short (opinion editorial, or policy brief) | 1-7 | Term 2 reassessment period |
| Group presentation (global challenges debate) | Group presentation (global challenges debate) | 1-7 | As soon as possible after the presentation date and latest before the end of term 1 |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Armstrong JD, Farrell T and Maiguashca B. (eds) (2003) Governance and resistance in world politics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Beeson, M. (2019). Rethinking Global Governance. McMillan.
Caporaso, J. and Madeira, M. A. (2012), Globalization, Institutions & Governance, London: SAGE.
Joseph J. (2012) The Social in the Global: Social Theory, Governmentality and Global Politics, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Harman, S. and Brown, W. (2013), Governing the World? Cases of Global Governance, Routledge.
Held, D. and McGrew, A. (eds.). (2002), Governing Globalization, Cambridge: Polity.
Hurd, I. (2011), International Organizations, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Levi-Faur D. (ed) (2012) The Oxford handbook of governance, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Mazower, M. (2013), Governing the World, London: Penguin Books.
Ravenhill, J. (ed.), (2011), Global Political Economy, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Risse T. (ed) (2011), Governance without a state? Policies and politics in areas of limited statehood, New York: Columbia University Press.
Rittberger, V., Zangl, B., Kruck, A. and Dijkstra, H. (2019). International Organization (3rd Edition). Red Globe Press/Macmillan international.
Seitz, J. and Hite, K. (2012), Global Issues, Malden and Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
Stone, D. and Moloney, K. (2019), The Oxford Handbook of Global Policy and Transnational Administration, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Whitman, J. (ed.), (2009), Global Governance, Hampshire: Palgrave.
Wilkinson, P. (ed.), (2005), The Global Governance Reader, London and New York: Routledge.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 12/04/2019 |
| Last revision date | 14/05/2021 |
