Discussion Session: Globalization, Development, and New Trends in International Relations

1. Discussion Session:Globalization, Development, and New Trends in International Relations GOVT S-40 SUMMER 2014

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. Globalization: Theoretical Perspectives • Realism • Liberalism • Constructivism • Dependency (Critical Theory) • Spikey v. Flat

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

10. The World is Spikey?

11. Criticisms of Globalization • Globalization = Neo-Colonialism? • Weak domestic institutions + corruption – regulations = human misery • Heightens inequality • Unsustainable? • Moral values subordinate to economic considerations

12. 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.

13. Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich

14. 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

15. Example of Decentralized Development • Micro-lending: • https://www.kiva.org/portfolio • Grameen Bank • Accion International

16. Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich

17. Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich

18. Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich

19. Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich

20. Political Art, Jawahalarl Nehru University. Photo by Joel Oestreich