Sociology 2: Class 15: World Polity Theory

Sociology 2: Class 15: World Polity Theory
Copyright © 2008 by Evan Schofer Do not copy or distribute without permission

Announcements Announcements: Today’s Class:
Limited office hours Thursday May 29, June 5 I’m available Tuesdays, and by appointment Today’s Class: Wrap up World-System Theory (WST) Start World Polity Theory (WPT) Also called “Neo-institutional” theory

Theories of Globalization
Some major views on the international system: 1. Modernization theory 2. World Systems Theory And “dependency theory”, a common variant 3. “World Polity Theory” Also called “neo-institutional theory” 4. Realism 5. Various responses to Realism “Complex Interdependence”, others…

Review: World-System Theory (WST)
Key Definitions: Core: the rich, developed countries Also: west; metropolitan countries; developed world Periphery: poor, dependent nations Also: underdeveloped countries; satellites; dependencies Semi-periphery: semi-industrialized countries Dependency: The vulnerable state of being exploited by core countries They depend on the core for trade, investment, loans, technology, etc. (related term: underdevelopment).

World-System Theory: We need to study the entire global economy as a world system We can’t understand the fate of a single country, without understanding how it fits into the overall system Countries aren’t poor because of their own specific history or internal characteristics Rather, they are poor because of their position relative to others in the global capitalist system.

Question: How does WST differ from other analysis of economic globalization? Both agree that economics = important But, economists often view the world economy positively (or neutrally) Ex: Ricardo thought trade was overall beneficial Ex: Many economists think globalization reduces poverty compared to a world without trade WST argues that globalization perpetuates inequality.

In contrast, WST argues that the global economic system is inherently unfair Economic power of core countries and MNCs is so great that the periphery will always be exploited The idea that governments and international institutions can make the system “fair” is an illusion Governments and international institutions (e.g., the WTO) will always reflect interests of capitalists Therefore, WST scholars are pessimistic about the role of global governance in solving social problems… Consequently, the system must be substantially reorganized… or overthrown.

How does WST view international organizations? Answer: They do not affect the fundamental economic positions of core and periphery Claim: Most IGOs and INGOs are created by core countries, and will never fundamentally undermine the dominance of the core IGOs and INGOs tend to perpetuate core dominance Example: WTO has not given big concessions to periphery The only thing that could help would be organizations representing the peripheral countries against the core!

World-System Theory (WST)
Question: Is world-system theory “right”? WST makes many claims. There is no simple answer 1. Analysis of Latin America is generally thought to be compelling 2. Rapid industrialization of South Korea, Taiwan, etc = major exceptions to WST 3. Evidence on foreign/trade investment = mixed, but often contradict WST Some studies find effects consistent with WST, but many do not.

Criticisms of WST: 1. Research findings are mixed at best The specific WST predictions about sources of global inequality/poverty have often been wrong It is true that there is horrible poverty in the world… But: Are people worse off than if there was no global economy? That is less clear.

2. WST doesn’t make clear predictions After the fact, almost any action can be interpreted as “serving the interests of global capitalists” Example: The Montreal Protocol on CFC emissions First, the core didn’t sign it… WST scholars said: “See, the core is using its power to avoid the treaty!” Later, when the core signed it, WST scholars said: “See, the core has ensnared the peripheral countries in a treaty that will keep them in poverty” A theory that can fit any evidence is not so useful.

3. Reverse causality WST argues: Countries that are dependent on the core of the world capitalist system will be trapped into a state of underdevelopment BUT, maybe it works the other way around Poverty produced “dependent” relations in the first place Poor countries can’t produce high-tech goods, so they trade commodities (e.g., bananas) But, this doesn’t necessarily mean that trading bananas made those countries poorer or “trapped” them into poverty.

World Polity Theory (WPT)
A very different theory of the global system… Emphasizes culture, not economy World Polity Theory was also a response to modernization theory The expectation that countries will march through stages of development… Key observation: While countries differ a lot in their level of development, many aspects of their governments look quite similar… World Polity Theory argues that this conformity reflects the existence of a common global culture… Which shapes how elites set up their governments, societies.

Question: Why do people vote? Let’s think about individuals, rather than states Conventional Answer: They want to maximize their power and interests… Realism is an “interest-based” theory of action Thus, they go and vote for candidates that will enact favorable policies Is that what is going on in people’s heads? Do they really think: “Heh, heh, heh… I’ll be rich!”? In fact, a single vote rarely matters… why do people bother?

One alternative to “interest-based” action: Action is governed by culture and social norms A very different view: People vote because they are “supposed to”… We live in a society in which voting is highly valued Example: Some of the biggest predictors of voting include: whether friends or parents vote If you are surrounded by voters (and pro-voting norms) you are more likely to vote.

How does culture affect us? 1. By providing norms Norms indicate proper behavior in a given situation You could come to class wearing scuba gear… but norms discourage it. In fact, we rarely consider actions that are against norms.

2. By providing scripts Scripts are taken-for-granted “recipes” for behavior that we share and understand Example: If you are interested in courting someone, you ask them on a date You do not show up at their house with 2 oxen and ask their father’s permission to marry People in a common culture generally follow similar scripts.

3. By providing cognitive models “Cognitive models” or “maps” are mental frameworks or blueprints that people share Example: Suppose you were chosen to set up a new school… How would you design it? How many grades? What subjects? How big would classes be? When would the school year be?

Note: Most ideas are drawn from a familiar “model” of the school Would you teach by apprenticeship? Keep boys and girls separate? Teach classes on astrology? Probably not! In the language of social psychology: We all possess a similar “cognitive model” or “map” of a school It is that which we “take for granted”.

Question: Is it possible that there is (or is becoming) a globally shared culture that influences the governments of the world? Are there common cognitive maps that they use to design their schools? Their societies? If so, where might those common norms and models come from?

Polity = associations and activities of the public/political sphere Example: Alexis de Toqueville studied the American polity in the 19th century He didn’t just examine the state… he also examined associational life (NGOs) and American culture He observed: The American state was weak (at the time); associational life shaped politics and society.

The World Polity = political structures, associations, & culture in the international sphere Observation: There is no strong world “state” Rather, there are associations (IGOs, NGOs) Observation: Participants in the international system share a common culture IGOs and NGOs are typically run by people educated in Western-style tradition, believe in common things Example: Democracy, economic growth, education, etc.

World Polity Theory World Polity Theory developed in response to modernization theory, WST, and realism Modernization theory predicted that poor, agricultural societies would be different from “modern” ones Example: Agricultural societies should have different educational systems (e.g., focused on farming) Example: WST predicts that governments of peripheral countries would mainly address commodity production.

World Polity Theory Key observation: Societies were rapidly becoming more similar in terms of government and policies Called “isomorphism” Ex: Agricultural countries DIDN’T create different educational systems They adopted systems similar to rich Western countries Ex: Countries also adopted similar legal systems, population and health policies, environmental laws, etc…

Question: Why did poor agricultural countries adopt the same kinds of policies as rich ones? Central Claim: Features of the state derive from “worldwide models, constructed and propagated through global cultural and associational processes” Meyer et al., p. 84

Key Claim: WPT suggests that states govern on the basis of cognitive models Cognitive models come from the culture and society around them: Associations, IGOs, NGOs, and other states make up a “world society” or “world polity” IGOs and NGOs convey models of how to govern Example: World bank conveys models of economic governance; UNESCO suggests educational advice; Amnesty International suggests human rights policies.

Trends in Environmental Protection
Source: Frank et al. 2000

The (partial) success of global environmentalism is seen as evidence in support of WPT Nations appear to conform to new global “norms” “Interest-based” theories (WST & realism) have more difficulty explaining global environmentalism.

How does WPT view international organizations? They play a key role: sustaining and promulgating a common culture to nations around the world Greenpeace, UNEP, and other international organizations convey norms about what nations should do to protect the environment Note: International organizations don’t have “power”. They can’t force states to do anything Nor does every single country obey the norms But, over time norms have a major effect on behavior.

“Worldwide models… define appropriate constitutions, goals, organization charts, ministry structures, and policies… Nation-states are imagined communities drawing on models that are lodged at the world level.” Meyer et al., p. 88 Island example: What if a new territory were discovered? How would IGOs, INGOs, & global culture reshape it?

WPT represents a “corrective”, emphasizing the influence of norms and culture – not power “the social sciences are reluctant to acknowledge patterns of influence and conformity that cannot be explained solely as matters of power or functional rationality.” (Meyer et al. p. 84).

Issue: Is World Polity Theory “right”? World polity theory is a new theory Controversial, but growing fast… 1. World Polity research on isomorphism in government policy is considered compelling World polity research now dominates in some areas Evolutions of education systems around the world Understanding the success of the environmental movement Also, lots of work on trends regarding human rights 2. World Polity Theorists were first to realize the importance of INGOs in driving social change Other perspectives tended to ignore them…

Issue: Is World Polity Theory “right”? 3. The ideas behind WPT have garnered support in other areas Called “neo-institutional theory” Especially the study of organizations This suggests potential… so people are working to apply its ideas to global issues.

Criticisms of World Polity Theory 1. It doesn’t address power This is intentional: WPT represents a “corrective”, emphasizing the influence of norms and culture “the social sciences are reluctant to acknowledge patterns of influence and conformity that cannot be explained solely as matters of power or functional rationality.” But, colonial relations were historically important in defining Western ideas as the dominant ‘world’ culture Also, current global trends reflect US hegemony WPT scholars point out that US doesn’t always benefit (e.g., when countries conform to US models of education) But, still it seems like power may be important.

Criticisms of World Polity Theory 2. It doesn’t sufficiently address actors or “agency” Again, this is an intentional goal of the theory… which has come under criticism Theory implies we are all controlled by a wider culture Builds on Durkheim’s ideas of ‘collective consciousness’ Where is room for agency? How can it explain variability in the world?

Criticisms of WPT: 3. WPT explains government policies… but not life “on the ground” Conformity to world culture may be strategic (to garner foreign aid) or very “thin” Ex: China may pretend to conform to global norms… but in fact that is just a façade Interests, rather than culture are really driving behavior. WPT scholars have begun responding to this criticism… but the issue is still being debated…

Bottom line: WPT is a fascinating theory – offers a whole new lens to view the world A very useful lens that explains some things that other theories can’t Also very useful for understanding organizations… May be helpful if you start working for a big company But, people interested in power/inequality find it very frustrating It doesn’t directly address the issues they care most about Plus, it is a newer perspective… more evidence needed to fully evaluate it.

Sociology 2: Class 15: World Polity Theory

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