scholarly journals Global Governance in Complex Times: Exploring New Concepts and Theories on Institutional Complexity

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Fariborz Zelli ◽  
Lasse Gerrits ◽  
Ina Möller
Keyword(s):  
Global Governance ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Political Agency ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Wide Acceptance ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Integrated Research ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Key Questions

This article, and the special issue it introduces, seek to contribute to the emerging and much-needed dialogue between the study of global governance and the study of social complexity. We hold that, while there is wide acceptance that global governance is becoming increasingly complex, studying this complexity still faces significant challenges in terms of concepts, theory, and methodology.The article outlines why that dialogue is needed, and how the complexity sciences can help us address some of these challenges. It then introduces key questions central to such an integrated research programme, for instance: under what conditions can a global governance system be regarded as complex? Which methods can help us recognize and assess patterns of stability, iteration, and change in global governance? How can a theory-driven analysis take into account that complexity may influence spaces for political agency, i.e. that it may alter key aspects of legitimacy, accountability, transparency, technocracy, and power and ultimately the strategical options of certain actors? Finally, the article looks ahead to the special issue and summarizes how the authors contribute crucial conceptual, theoretical, and methodical ideas for addressing these and other questions.

Global Governance “As It Was, Is and Ought to Be”

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-392
Author(s):  
Stephen Gill
Keyword(s):  
Global Governance ◽  
Eleventh Century ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Global Capitalism ◽  
Political Agency ◽  
World War ◽  
The Past ◽  
Normative Issues ◽  
Historical Practices ◽  
Key Questions

Abstract This essay reflects on the past, present, and potential future of global governance, its historical practices and principles, the interests it has served, and who/what it has included/excluded or marginalized. It initially explores ontological, conceptual, and normative issues, and how these have been historically connected to the dynamics of world orders, patterns of global governance, and global capitalism. It reflects on developments from the eleventh century up to World War II and critically appraises presently dominant principles and practices of global governance—in order to highlight key questions concerning the future. The essay asks whether current practices are in contradiction to the material and human interests and indeed the very survival of humankind and the integrity of the planet, its biosphere, and its life-forms. It concludes by identifying some forms of political agency that might help reshape governance towards more equitable, socially just and sustainable planetary governance.

Conclusion

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Zürn
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Political System ◽  
Global Politics ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Causal Mechanisms

This chapter summarizes the argument of the book. It recapitulates the global governance as a political system founded on normative principles and reflexive authorities in order to identify the legitimation problems built into it; it points to the explanation of the rise of societal politicization and counter-institutionalization via causal mechanisms highlighting the endogenous dynamics of that global governance system; and, it sums up the conditions under which the subsequent processes of legitimation and delegitimation lead to the system’s decline or to a deepening of it. In addition, the conclusion submits that the arguments put forward in this book are in line with a newly emerging paradigm in International Relations. A “global politics paradigm” is increasingly complementing the “cooperation under anarchy paradigm” which has been dominant for around five decades. The chapter finishes with suggestions of areas for further research.

The Theoretical Model

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Zürn
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
Historical Institutionalism ◽  
Governance System ◽  
State Consent

The authority–legitimation link states that international institutions exercising authority need to nurture the belief in their legitimacy. The authority–legitimation link points to fundamental challenges for the global governance system: with the rise of international authorities that are, at the same time, more intrusive, state consent is undermined and societies are affected directly. Consequently, legitimation problems arise, followed by processes of delegitimation, which then trigger responses by the challenged institutions. Using concepts of historical institutionalism, it is argued in this chapter that the authority–legitimation link produces reactive sequences either via the route of societal politicization or via counter-institutionalization by states. These reactive sequences may result in either a decline or a deepening of global governance depending on the responses of authority holders.

Legitimation Problems

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Zürn
Keyword(s):  
Global Governance ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Social Purpose ◽  
International Authority ◽  
Legitimacy Beliefs

Political and epistemic authorities in the global governance system often restrain the freedom of constituent members and therefore need to be justified with reference to the impartial pursuit of a shared social purpose. An international authority must therefore develop a convincing legitimation narrative and display a sense of impartiality to be seen as legitimate. The thrust of the argument in this chapter is that the legitimacy of the global governance system is structurally precarious. Two legitimation problems can be identified: a technocratic bias in the justification of authority and the lack of impartiality in the exercise of authority. International institutions often have authority, but lack sufficient legitimacy beliefs.

Reflexive Authorities

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Zürn
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Separation Of Powers ◽  
Political Authority ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Loosely Coupled ◽  
State Actors

In this chapter, authority is developed as key concept for analyzing the global governance system. Max Weber’s foundational treatment is used to capture the paradox involved in the notion of “voluntary subordination.” Building on this foundation, the concept of reflexive authority is elaborated in contrast to two other concepts that have prevailed in international relations so far. The argument is laid out against the background of the global governance context, one in which the authority holders are in many respects weaker than most state actors. Two types of reflexive authority are identified: epistemic and political authority. Finally, the interplay between different authorities in global governance is analyzed to identify the major features of the global governance system. It is—to put it in the shortest possible form—a system of only loosely coupled spheres of authorities that is not coordinated by a meta-authority and lacks a proper separation of powers.

Global Governance of Deep-Sea Fisheries

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritaka Hayashi
Keyword(s):  
Global Governance ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Law Of The Sea ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Legal Regime ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Fish Stocks ◽  
The Law ◽  
Global Agreement ◽  
High Seas

AbstractThis article considers the gaps in the existing legal regime on deep-sea fisheries and explores a more effective global governance system. It is proposed that a new global agreement, modeled on the 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement, be negotiated covering deep-sea stocks as well as other high seas resources, so that all fisheries on the high seas may be covered. The proposed agreement would complete the gaps in high seas fisheries regime and serve as an effective link between the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and regional fisheries bodies. As a short-term measure, FAO should prepare a set of guidelines covering all types of deep-sea fisheries, including shared and transboundary stocks as well as discrete high seas stocks. In addition, FAO's Committee on Fisheries should be strengthened in its global governance role, including co-ordination of all regional fisheries bodies

scholarly journals Cooperative Longevity: Why Are So Many Cooperatives So Successful?

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constantine Iliopoulos ◽  
Vladislav Valentinov
Keyword(s):  
Research Effort ◽  
Fundamental Solutions ◽  
100Th Anniversary ◽  
Agricultural Cooperatives ◽  
Scholarly Work ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Bridging Social Capital ◽  
Long Period ◽  
Key Aspects

Despite popular misconceptions, cooperatives present a very successful organizational form worldwide. A recent study found that in the U.S., for example, 134 agricultural cooperatives celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2014. This observation on cooperative longevity is not matched by a corresponding research effort on what makes cooperatives so successful. Most of the extant research seems to focus on intra-cooperative problems that posit significant challenges to cooperatives. This special issue of Sustainability bridges the considerable gap between scholarly work and reality. By focusing on what makes cooperatives so successful for such a long period of time, this issue sheds light on key aspects of cooperative longevity. Bridging social capital, fundamental solutions to excessive heterogeneity-induced high ownership costs, tinkering, cooperative genius, and superior capacity to adapt to shocks and changes are among the factors identified to explain extended cooperative longevity. The insights thereby gained are useful to students of cooperatives, practitioners, and policy makers.

Sustainable Development in a Global Context: A Success or a Nuisance?

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed El-Kamel Bakari
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Trade Liberalization ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Global Trade ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Global Context ◽  
The North ◽  
Similar Vein ◽  
The One

AbstractThis article argues that the evolution of, and challenges to, sustainable development cannot be understood completely outside its contemporary global context, consisting mainly of three interconnected spheres, i.e., the global governance system, the North-South debate, and global trade liberalization. As the boundaries of these three spheres get more and more blurred in a context of an intensifying globalization, the project of sustainable development is very often faced with obstacles that set back its evolution and might very well bring it to a halt. Above all, sustainable development is now caught in the crossfire between the push for exponential economic growth, on the one hand, and a compelling need to reverse catastrophic ecological threats and social exigencies, on the other. More often than not, the current structure and scope of global governance constitutes more of a hindrance than a help to the emerging paradigm of sustainable development. Accordingly, this article seeks to pinpoint the different challenges to the implementation of sustainable development in the field of global governance and to discuss to what extent these challenges are inherent in the structure and scope of this system. In a similar vein, this article examines and discusses the challenges to sustainability within two other highly interrelated spheres, namely global trade and the North-South politics. With this end in view, a special focus is placed throughout this paper on the interconnectedness of, and overlap between, these three global spheres and the determinant role played by the major actors therein.

Ensemble & Ensemble of Me - What I Think About When I Think About Improvisation

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ivar Grydeland
Keyword(s):  
Research Fellowship ◽  
Artistic Activity ◽  
Fellowship Programme ◽  
Solo Works ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Key Questions ◽  
Artistic Research

Ensemble & Ensemble of Me is an artistic research fellowship project carried out at the Norwegian Academy of Music, as part of The Norwegian Artistic Research Fellowship Programme between 2011 and 2015. In this project I produced solo improvisations deriving from the music of two improvising ensembles to which I belong: Dans les arbres and Huntsville, and I produced collective improvisations with the ensembles. The project’s key questions: - What are my concepts when improvising with the ensembles and when improvising alone? - How do the ensemble improvisations inform my solo improvisations? - What do I think about when I think about our and my own improvisations? The Haruki Murakami-paraphrase in the sub-heading indicates a process of on-going reflection upon what I regard as key aspects when I improvise. More specifically, what I regard as key aspects in the music of Dans les arbres and Huntsville, as well as for my own solo improvisations. These reflections reveal key aspects and main challenges that emerged during my attempts to create solo works informed by the ensembles. The reflections are chiefly documented in the form of a personal encyclopaedia. The encyclopaedia includes audio and visual examples, both from the final artistic results and from artistic activity during the project.

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