Key Actors in Global Governance and International Relations
Understanding Global Governance
The decline of nation-states has arguably given rise to three forms of governance:
- Governance without government: Many matters are managed within nation-states without the direct involvement of state governments. Locales and regions within nation-states may manage themselves.
- Governance through public policy networks: This involves governance by various international institutions, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), and private sector organizations.
- Governance at a global level: This form can be normatively mediated and moderated. There is evidence of pressure toward the emergence of various forms of global governance. States themselves are less able to handle various responsibilities, leaving open the possibility for global governance to fill the void. A series of events have occurred where nation-states were unable to control outcomes, such as the crisis in Darfur, Sudan, where hundreds of thousands were killed. Global governance also extends over the economy.
Key International Bodies
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- Established on July 29, 1957.
- Acts as a “watchdog” in nuclear issues.
- Ensures that nuclear facilities serve scientific and peaceful purposes.
Group of Eight (G8) / Group of Seven (G7)
- Started as the G6 (France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, US) in 1975.
- Canada was added in 1976 (forming the G7), and Russia joined in 1998 (forming the G8). (Note: Russia’s participation was suspended in 2014, and the group largely operates as the G7 again).
- Its summit meeting has been described as a key forum where leaders of major industrialized democracies regularly meet to address wide-ranging global governance issues based on democratic principles.
- Primarily addresses political and economic issues.
Regional Political Organizations
This section covers some of the most important and formal regional organizations:
Organization of American States (OAS)
The OAS was formed on April 30, 1948, by Central and Latin American states, plus the United States and Cuba. Canada and other Caribbean states were added later. The OAS hasn’t always successfully created cooperation, mainly due to differences between the US and other member countries. While the OAS attempts a multilateralist approach, the US has sometimes maintained a unilateralist stance towards the rest of the continent.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
ASEAN was formed in 1967 by Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines to help promote regional cooperation among the smaller, developing nations of Southeast Asia. Other countries eventually joined, including Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. ASEAN adheres to a list of basic principles:
- Respect for independence, sovereignty, territory, and national identity.
- Non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
- Effective cooperation between nations.
Economic cooperation, growth, and social progress are also goals of ASEAN. Although it began as a political organization, ASEAN is now significantly devoted to economic cooperation. Due to the relatively small size of the individual ASEAN economies, ASEAN Plus Three was formed, which includes Japan, China, and South Korea—the largest Asian economies—to enhance cooperation.
African Union (AU)
Originally established as the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, it was transformed into the African Union (AU) in 2002. Initially created to promote pan-Africanism and self-reliance among nations, its focus shifted to helping Africa benefit from globalization and protect itself from potential negative side effects. However, due to significant challenges within the continent, it has been difficult for the AU to fully achieve its goals in assisting member nations.
Other Players in Global Governance
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have become increasingly important on a global scale, seeking to deal with problems ranging from corruption to environmental protection. Recently, NGOs have formed groups or coalitions with other organizations and even nation-states to increase their power and influence. These groups are called networks and are generally formed not only for specific issues but also to exert influence against larger global institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). An example of these networks is the Kimberley Process, which unites INGOs, nation-states, and firms to address the issue of “blood diamonds.”
Influential Individuals
Individuals can also be considered important players on global issues. They range from artists and musicians, such as Bono and George Clooney, to prominent politicians and philanthropists, such as ex-US President Jimmy Carter and Bill Gates. The influence and perspectives of these individuals are sometimes associated with specific political or economic viewpoints, such as neo-liberalism.