1.5 Global Governance and the United Nations
Key concepts: Interdependence, Legitimacy, Power, Sovereignty, Globalisation, Human Rights, Development, Peace, Equality, Inequality
Theoretical Perspectives: Realism, Liberalism, Post-colonialism, Constructivism
New terms: governance, veto, humanitarianism
In this unit, we are going to function and impact of global governance institutions, most importantly the United Nations (UN). Within this, we will focus on the Security Council and the UN's role in tackling climate change.
We are going to look at different perspectives regarding the following questions:
- What is global governance?
- How was the UN founded and what are its functions?
- How legitimate is the UN, and what are some of the big debates regarding the UN?
- How effective is the UN - which parts of it work well, which ones don't?
- What are some of the reform proposals for the UN security council?
- Should the UN be stronger in enforcing its decisions upon nation-states?
- Are we living in an age of decline of global governance?
- What are the strengths of the UN?
- What are the obstacles that can prevent the UN from fulfilling its mandate?
Required Reading
United Nations: Charter of the United Nations. Online: https://treaties.un.org/doc/publication/ctc/uncharter.pdf
Nadin, Peter: UN Security Council Reform, United Nations University. Online: https://unu.edu/publications/articles/united-nations-security-council-reform.html
Hume, Cameron, U.S. Minister Counselor of Political Affairs: Statement defending the P5 Veto, 1996. Online: https://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/200/32847.html
Tello, Manuel, Mexican ambassador to the UN: Statement regarding the P5 Veto, 1998. Online: https://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/200/32869.html
Personal research on the UN's role in the Rohingya Crisis
Recommended Reading and Viewing
Heywood, Andrew: Global Politics, chapter 18 "International Organization and the United Nations" (extracts)
What is COP21? A 2 Minute Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJH2eUQVYwI
COP21 Agreement Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5VcaN8v7tI
Figueres, Christina: "The inside story of the Paris climate agreement", TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIA_1xQc7x8
Inside Story: Will the Paris Climate Deal be Enough? Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NpfOMBQEBA
UN Year in Review, 2016: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2sck1yq5Wk
UN Year in Review, 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0_kxsCFZOQ