political and economic global governance - paper 3 Flashcards
(85 cards)
1
Q
When and why was the UN established?
A
In 1945, to prevent another global conflict after World War II
2
Q
Where is the UN headquartered?
A
New York, with offices in Geneva, Nairobi, and Vienna
2
Q
How many member states does the UN have?
A
193
3
Q
What organization preceded the UN, and why did it fail?
A
- The League of Nations
- lacked US support and couldn’t prevent fascist takeovers in Germany, Italy, and Japan.
4
Q
What are the six main organs of the UN?
A
- General Assembly
- Security Council
- Economic and Social Council
- International Court of Justice
- Secretariat
- Trusteeship Council (suspended)
4
Q
What is the UN’s main aim?
A
To promote peace and reduce the likelihood of conflict.
5
Q
How many members are in the UN Security Council?
A
15 – 5 permanent and 10 temporary.
6
Q
Who are the five permanent members (P-5)?
A
China, France, Russia, UK, and the US.
7
Q
What is the main role of the UNSC?
A
To authorize military action and enforce resolutions.
7
Q
What special power do the P-5 countries have?
A
veto power
8
Q
What is the main role of the General Assembly?
A
It is the main deliberative body where all 193 members meet annually.
9
Q
How are decisions made in the General Assembly?
A
2/3 majority vote.
10
Q
Does any country have more power than others in the General Assembly?
A
No, each state has one equal vote.
11
Q
What does ECOSOC oversee?
A
UN agencies dealing with economic, social, and development issues.
12
Q
Name three major agencies under ECOSOC.
A
IMF, WHO, and UNESCO.
13
Q
When was the Trusteeship Council suspended?
A
1994.
14
Q
What does the UN Secretariat do?
A
It handles the day-to-day operations of the UN.
15
Q
Who is the head of the UN Secretariat?
A
Secretary-General.
16
Q
Why is the Secretary-General important?
A
They act as the world’s top diplomat.
16
Q
What is the role of the ICJ?
A
To settle legal disputes between states and advise on international law.
17
Q
What was the purpose of the Trusteeship Council?
A
To oversee the transition of former colonies to independence.
18
Q
Are UN resolutions legally binding?
A
Security Council resolutions are binding, but General Assembly resolutions are not.
18
Q
What is a UN resolution?
A
A formal decision or statement by the UN, often by the Security Council.
19
Q
What are the main criticisms of the UN?
A
- The Security Council’s veto power limits action.
- Failure to prevent some major conflicts (e.g., Rwanda, Syria).
- Lack of Representation in UNSC
19
What is one example of a major UN resolution?
UNSC resolutions against North Korea’s nuclear program.
19
When was NATO established and why?
After WWII, to provide collective security against threats, especially from the Soviet Union.
20
What is Article 5 of NATO?
An attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all, requiring collective defense.
21
How did the Cold War shape NATO?
NATO was created to counter the Soviet Union and later the Warsaw Pact (1955).
22
What was NATO’s role during the Cold War?
It deterred Soviet expansion and prevented conflict through military alliances.
23
When was Article 5 first invoked?
After the 9/11 attacks in 2001, leading to military action in Afghanistan.
24
When and why was the IMF established?
In 1945 to manage global financial stability.
25
What are the main roles of the IMF?
Surveillance: Monitors global financial stability.
Lending: Provides financial aid to struggling economies.
Capacity Development: Advises countries on economic policies.
25
How does voting work in the IMF?
Vote share is based on economic size
25
What is the main goal of the World Bank?
Poverty reduction through funding projects in developing countries.
26
What was a major IMF failure?
failed to predict the 2008 global financial crisis.
27
When was the WTO established, and what did it replace?
in 1995, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
27
What is the G7, and when was it formed?
A group of seven major economies formed in 1975.
28
What are the key roles of the WTO?
- Promoting free trade agreements.
- Settling trade disputes.
- Provides a Forum for Negotiation
29
Which countries are in the G7?
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US.
30
Why was Russia removed from the G7?
expelled in 2014 after annexing Crimea.
31
What does the G7 primarily focus on?
- Economic policies
- foreign affairs
- energy issues
32
What is the G20, and when was it created?
Established in 1999, first summit in 2008, bringing together major economies.
33
How does the G20 differ from the G7?
It includes both developed and developing economies, making it more representative.
34
What are the main aims of the G20?
Promote financial stability and economic cooperation globally.
35
IMF successes and failures
SUCCESSES:
- helped bail out Ireland during the Eurozone financial crisis with a €22.5 billion loan. 2010
- Issues regular reports and warnings to help prevent economic crises
- Provides debt relief, helped countries like Ghana and Ethiopia manage debt
FAILURES:
- Structural adjustment programs often impose harsh economic conditions causing social injustice
- Did not predict the 2008 financial crisis.
- Critics argue it favors wealthy nations (U.S. has 16.5% voting power).
35
What criticism does the IMF face?
It often imposes harsh economic conditions on struggling countries.
35
Why is NATO still relevant today?
It continues to address new threats, such as terrorism and Russian aggression.
36
Why is the G20 considered more inclusive than the G7?
It includes developing economies and emerging global powers.
37
NATO successes and failures
SUCCESSES:
- helped deter Soviet expansion and contributed to the end of the Cold War.
- Collective security (Article 5) invoked after 9/11, leading to military action in Afghanistan.
- NATO led military interventions in the Balkans to stop ethnic cleansing, 1999 Kosovo War ended with the peaceful removal of Serbian forces
FAILURES:
- NATO’s 20-year mission in Afghanistan ended in chaos, with a rapid Taliban takeover following the U.S. withdrawal.
- intervention to protect civilians during the Libyan Civil War led to chaos with ongoing civil war,
- Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine challenged NATO’s deterrence power, Russia views NATO as a threat to its security.
38
G20 successes and Failures
SUCCESSES:
- The G20 played a key role in coordinating global economic recovery after the 2008 financial crisis. eg bank bailouts
- The G20 has worked to promote climate action among major economies eg commitment to paris
- In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the G20 agreed to a Debt Service Suspension Initiative
FAILURES:
- Lacks enforcement power—members are not legally bound to agreements.
- Despite strong rhetoric, the G20 has struggled to achieve meaningful progress on climate action, China often prioritises economic growth
- dominated by wealthy countries (e.g., USA, EU, Japan), leading to criticism that it excludes developing nations
39
WTO Successes and failures
SUCCESSES:
- Helped reduce global tariffs, promoting free trade.
- Settles trade disputes between nations effectively.
- Since the establishment of the WTO, global trade volume has grown
FAILURES:
-Struggles to enforce rules against powerful economies like the U.S. and China.
- rules often favor developed nations. EG agricultural subsidies in wealthy nations, such as the EU, have been seen as harmful to farmers in poorer countries
- inability to address environmental and social concerns effectively within the trade system
39
G7 successes and failures
SUCCESSES:
- played a key role in coordinating responses to the 2008 financial crisis.
- made significant contributions to global health,eg support for the Global Fund to fight diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria
- Influential in climate policy discussions, such as Paris Agreement negotiations.
FAILURES:
- The G7 is an informal group with no legal authority
- composed of developed countries, excluding emerging economies like China
- Despite making public commitments to combat climate change, members, United States , not following through
40
World bank successes and failures
SUCCESSES:
- Provided $63 billion in 2016 for development projects in fragile states.
- provided rapid assistance to countries facing natural disasters or economic crises eg covid
- Finances major infrastructure projects (roads, schools, agriculture).
FAILURES:
- loans come with austerity conditions that harm social services e.g., Honduras
- criticized for financing projects that cause environmental damage or displace local communities eg Dam in India displaced thousands of people
- overly influenced by Western countries, particularly the United States, which holds the largest share of voting power.
41
What is the difference between Absolute and Relative Poverty?
Absolute poverty: Earning under US$1.25 a day and lacking basic needs.
Relative poverty: Earning significantly less than the average income in a specific region.
41
UNSC failure example
Ukraine War (2022–present)
- Russia used its veto power to block any binding resolutions condemning its invasion of Ukraine.
- Example of Security Council deadlock and limitations due to great power politics.
41
UN peacekeeping failure example
UN Peacekeeping Failure: Rwanda (1994)
- 800,000 killed in genocide
- ❌ Weak mandate – couldn’t use force to intervene.
- ❌ Troop withdrawals – Belgium pulled out.
- ❌ Lack of will – global powers avoided involvement.
42
International Criminal Court action example
Putin arrest warrant (2023)
- ICC issued a warrant for Vladimir Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children.
- Demonstrates bold judicial action—but Russia is not a member, so enforcement is unlikely.
- Shows limited global reach of the ICC.
43
ICJ example
Myanmar genocide case (2020–ongoing)
- The Gambia brought a case against Myanmar for alleged genocide against Muslims.
- Ongoing legal process; shows ICJ’s symbolic authority, but slow progress.
44
IMF example
Sri Lanka debt crisis (2022–2023)
- Sri Lanka accepted a $3 billion bailout from the IMF after economic collapse.
- IMF imposed austerity conditions, like raising taxes and cutting fuel subsidies.
- Illustrates how IMF stabilises economies, but can worsen public hardship.
45
World Bank example
Clean Energy in India (2023)
- The World Bank approved $1.5 billion to support India’s renewable energy transition.
- critics raise issues of displacement of communities.
46
WTO example
US vs China trade tensions (Ongoing)
- WTO found that US tariffs on Chinese goods (during Trump era) violated trade rules.
- US ignored the ruling, and WTO’s dispute mechanism has weakened.
- Highlights the decline of WTO authority in the face of great power rivalry.
47
North-South Divide
Concept:
- Global North = Wealthy, industrialised, politically powerful
- Global South = Poorer, less developed, often post-colonial
48
North-South Divide Causes:
- Colonial legacies
- Unequal trade systems
- Debt burdens
Example: Zambia spends more on debt repayment than education
49
North-South divide responses
- Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) (2000–2015)
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (2015–2030)
50
North-South divide pros
- Helps highlight structural inequality
- Informs targeted action in development policy and aid
51
North-South divide cons
- can oversimplify global dynamics
- Doesn’t account for rising powers (e.g. BRICS)
52
Orthodox View of measuring poverty
- Income-based: $2.15/day (2023 threshold)
- Poverty = lack of material needs
- Economic growth = solution
Example: China's GDP growth lifted 800 million out of poverty since 1980s
53
Alternative View: of measuring poverty
- Poverty is multidimensional
- Looks at freedom, opportunity, dignity
54
poverty measurements
Human Development Index (HDI):
- Combines life expectancy, education, and GNI
Example: Norway consistently ranks highest
Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI):
- Measures education, health, and living standards
Example: India reduced MPI poverty rate by over 50% between 2005–2021
55
WORLD-SYSTEMS THEORY
- Immanuel Wallerstein
- Global capitalist system divides world into:
- Core: Developed countries
- Periphery: Undeveloped/export raw goods
- Semi-periphery: Emerging economies
Example: Core countries extract cobalt from DR Congo for electronics
56
WORLD-SYSTEMS THEORY significance
Poverty is built into the structure of global capitalism
57
world systems theory pros
- Explains systemic exploitation
- Captures global division of labour
58
world systems theory cons
- Static model – ignores internal change
- Doesn’t explain emerging economies
59
DEPENDENCY THEORY
- Andre Gunder Frank
- Global South remains dependent on North for:
- Technology, loans, markets
- Development of the North causes underdevelopment of the South
- Critique of aid and foreign investment as forms of control
Example: US foreign aid to Latin America often tied to political alignment
60
dependency theory Solutions Proposed:
- Import Substitution Industrialisation (ISI) – self-sufficiency
- Used in 20th-century Latin America
- Decoupling from global trade
61
dependency theory pros
- Powerful critique of global inequality
- Highlights political and economic dependence
62
dependency theory cons
- Overly deterministic
- Ignores agency and reform potential
63
CLASSICAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THEORY
- Modernisation Theory (Walt Rostow – The Stages of Economic Growth, 1960)
- Development is a linear process with 5 stages:
- Traditional society
- Preconditions for take-off
- Take-off
- Drive to maturity
- Age of mass consumption
- Inspired foreign aid, education, infrastructure building
Example: US ‘Alliance for Progress’ in Latin America (1960s)
64
CLASSICAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THEORY criticisms
- Eurocentric, assumes Western model is ideal
- Ignores external constraints like trade rules, debt
- Doesn't account for environmental degradation
65
STRUCTURAL THEORY
- Development is blocked by global economic structures
- Poverty is not internal to the country, but caused by:
- Exploitative terms of trade
- Debt cycles (e.g. 1980s Latin America debt crisis)
- Multinational corporations (MNCs) shifting profits out of poor states
66
STRUCTURAL THEORY policy responses
- Fair trade
- Debt relief – e.g. Jubilee 2000 campaign
- Reform of global institutions (IMF/World Bank voting rights)
67
NEO-CLASSICAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY Key Ideas:
- Rooted in free market capitalism
- Poverty = result of poor economic choices, corruption, state inefficiency
- State should be minimally involved
68
NEO-CLASSICAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY Washington Consensus (1989):
- 10 neoliberal principles e.g.:
- Trade liberalisation
- Deregulation
- Tax reform
- Privatisation
69
NEO-CLASSICAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY Case Example:
- IMF SAPs in sub-Saharan Africa: Cut health and education spending in 1980s-90s
Example: Zambia and Ghana experienced rising inequality and urban poverty
70
NEO-CLASSICAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY criticisms
- Undermines public services
- Prioritises GDP growth over equity or human development
‘One-size-fits-all’ approach
