Chapter 10 Globalizing Issues

Health, environment, human rights Globalizing issues –Multiple actors (states, IGOs, NGOs, MNCs, transnational movements, individuals, etc.) –Multiple levels (local, state, and international)

Health and Disease Ancient international problem (plague, smallpox, measles, malaria) Economic, social globalization increases vulnerability to disease (AIDS, dengue fever, SARS, Avian flu) HIV/AIDS –health/humanitarian, economic, social, political, security issue –Response by multiple actors (states, IGOs, NGOs, MNCs, private foundations, individuals, epistemic communities of experts)

Health and Theory High levels of agreement on need to prevent spread of infectious diseases and to rely on technical experts Differences on how to address issue –Liberals = international responsibility, cooperation among actors at all levels –Realists = state responsibility, especially when impacts security –Radicals = illustrate inequities, economic differences between rich and poor

Environment: Global Commons Population, natural resources, energy, pollution Collective goods = public goods available to all –Challenge: achieving shared benefits by overcoming conflicting interests (Hardin’s tragedy of the commons) Sustainability = economic development reconciles current growth and environmental protection with needs of future generations –Emerging international law/principles/norms no-significant harm, good-neighbor principle (soft law) polluter-pays, precautionary principle, preventive- action (principles) sustainable development, intergenerational equity

Politics of Population Historic fear of Malthusian dilemma (population increase outstrips food supply) –Higher rates of food production –Demographic transition = economic development leads to falling death rates, then falling birth rates Population growth rates have increased –More in developing world than developed (demographic divide) –Greater demand for scarce natural resources –Ethical dilemmas

Natural Resources/Pollution Increasing demand, declining supply (oil, water) Pollution –Externalities = costly unintended consequences –International cooperation Ozone depletion due to CFCs –Montreal Protocol (1987) and London Agreement (1990) –States agree to phase out use of chemicals; developed states agree to pay costs of compliance Global climate change –Kyoto Protocol (1997): aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Environment and Theory Realists = Security; strong population, self- sufficient food supply, dependable energy supply, sovereignty Liberals = Broad view of security and interdependent system; many actors, all levels need to act Radicals = widens gap between rich and poor; costs borne disproportionately by South and poor in North Constructivists = how elites define problem, how ideas change over time

Human Rights First-generation = Political/civil rights; rights states cannot take away (free speech, assembly) Second-generation = Economic/social rights; rights states should provide, protect (health care, jobs) Third-generation = Rights for specific groups, minorities, women, children (environment, peace, human security, democracy) International regime = agreed-upon rules, norms, procedures emerge from high levels of cooperation; states develop principles and procedures on how certain problems should be addressed; principles become rules (explicit in law; implicit in practices, expectations) –International human rights regime = IGOs and NGOs set human rights standards (UN), monitor standards (UN, NGOs), promote education, enforce standards (states, UN through embargos, sanctions, armed force)

Globalizing Issues: Effects, Theory Globalizing issues  complex bargaining and challenges to state sovereignty Effects on theory –Realists = need for nuance, security still key –Liberals = compatible with liberal views of security, multiple actors –Radicals = confirm primacy of economic issues, stratification –Constructivists: changing discourse, material factors and ideas shape debate Global Governance = absence of unifying political authority, structures and processes through which actors coordinate interests and needs –Liberals = globalization pushes global civil society toward global governance –Realists = global governance impossible –Radicals = not desirable because of hegemonic domination