Global Governance

Question 1

Russia

Answer 1

Polycentric international system: ongoing diffusion of power and proliferation of decision-making centers

Countering the existing monopoly of liberal global governance

Multiple power centres

Dissolve West hegemony

Democratisation of the management of international affairs → more political diversity

Russia doesn’t seek to destroy liberal ideologies or is opposed to Western leadership per se, but it should be only one of many ways to organise global politics

Multilateral organisations → bc of competition and diversity

Russia sponsors multilateral organisations institutions.

Its presence in int. Orgs is to counterbalance the West weight on decision-making

UNSC is the perfect example: inclusive, special powers, really sovereign.

Question 2

United States

Answer 2

It depends a lot on the president. Their visions and their approach towards global governance changed.

H.W. Bush 1993: multilateral institutions (UN, CSCE, NATO) are ready to deal with new challenges. Emerging economies are a threat.

Clinton 1994: the US cannot secure influence alone, it should influence over through participation in decision-making

W. Bush 2002: after 9/11 it changed to an active agenda of cooperation with other countries in other to fight terrorism together. Commitment to multilateral institutions, UN, WTO, NATO

Obama 2010: deepen constructive cooperation with other centers of influence (China, India, Russia). Opposing govs should abide by Int. Law and get the benefit from integration.

Trump 2017: emerging powers (RU and CH), and rogue states are actually competing with the US and engaging with them and including in int. Orgs. is not going to work. Institutions are not equal, the US will prioritize those organizations that serve American interests

All presidents are for these international organizations, but only Obama said to be ready to seek for alternative organizations/mechanisms if the ones currently functioning will stop functioning

Question 3

China

Answer 3

Multipolarity and multilateralism
→ diffusion and distribution of power in IR
But a selective multipolarism
→ doesn’t mean empowering other emerging nations, especially China’s regional competitors
→ in short, China’s participation on global and regional governance

Neutralise potential threats posed by great powers, maintain a stable global order
US → Strategic partnership
EU → Close relations
Japan, Russia, India → regional powers, don’t pose threat

• Prevent anti-China coalition in Asia

State sovereignty, national security, respect for territorial unity, non-intervention pledge,

• Doesn’t want to defeat the existing GG, but to adapt it to its own interests
→ reforms in int system, more balance of power

• Active participation in GG institutions: UN, WTO, IMF, WB, G20, BRICS,
• Improve the current international system instead of trying to change it in a revolutionary way. Endorse the existing, Reform them, and create alternatives where it fails.