Discussion Session: Globalization, Development, and New Trends in International Relations GOVT S-40...

Discussion Session:Globalization, Development, and

New Trends in International Relations

GOVT S-40SUMMER 2014

GLOBALIZATION

Globalization is as old as the spread of disease and colonialism

Globalization has been accelerated due to the information revolution (3rd Industrial Revolution)

“Spill-over”

increase in powerful actors

decrease in state power?

change in type of power (hard v. soft power)

The Bretton Woods System

The world economic order was established at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944

Rooted in the idea of liberal institutionalism Incrementalism Functionalism

(IMF) International Monetary Fund Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs)

Int’l Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) GATT (1947) WTO

New International Economic Order

G-77 created in 1964

regulation of MNCs operating within their territory.

Transfer of appropriate technologies

Reform of trade order to assist LDCs in developing

Canceling or renegotiating debt

Increase economic aid

Greater economic voice to LDCs

Globalization: Theoretical Perspectives

Realism

Liberalism

Constructivism

Dependency (Critical Theory)

Spikey v. Flat

Constructivism

Rooted in inductive or “Bottom Up” method i.e. evaluates general propositions derived from specific examples

Intellectual roots in David Hume (1711-1776 Scottish philosopher)

Primary Tenets: Relativism: no absolute truths Discursivity

people's understanding of the world is based on what we say/how we talk about the world

categories affect our understanding of the world and our understandings influence our choices

Dependency Theory

Explains the outcome of world events in terms of class struggle and inequality.

Core/Global North = Bourgeoisie

Periphery/Global South = Proletariat

Called Structuralism because it uses the Int’l structure to explain why some countries are poor and why some are wealthy

New Diplomacy

The forces of globalization and the information revolution has created a diffusion of power.

States no longer possess a monopoly on the flow of information.

NGOs are now more influential Ottawa Process (1996) Rome Statute (2002)

Pluralistic v. Democratic

The World is Spikey?

Criticisms of Globalization

Globalization = Neo-Colonialism?

Weak domestic institutions + corruption – regulations = human misery

Heightens inequality

Unsustainable?

Moral values subordinate to economic considerations

Industrial Model of Development

Productivity = labor productivity

Dominant model of development and globalization is inherently violent b/c it deprives the poor of fundamental rights e.g. access to land, food, and livelihoods.

People are commoditized and disposable

Emphasis on fossil-fuel and resource intensive approaches to development

Pseudo-Solutions to climate and food crisis:

2 dominant approaches:

Global Business Approach and Promoting renewable alternatives to support energy intensive, consumerist society.

“Consumer democracy is the gasoline for the bulldozer of globalization.

Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich

Alternatives:“Power-Down” Approach

Alternatives must address consumption patterns and resource usage.

Emphasis on decentralization, productive human energy, democracy and inclusion.

View nature as a living system rather that a machine

People-centric v. profit-centric

Example of Decentralized Development

Micro-lending: https://www.kiva.org/portf

olio

Grameen Bank

Accion International

Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich

Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich

Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich

Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich

Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich