Module description
This module invites students to investigate the material and ideological structures underpinning the edifice of global economic governance. This means paying attention to the key international organisations and the ways in which they have been transformed since their creation, but also to the increasing role of private institutions and authorities in the management of the global economy. The module begins by introducing students to the historical roots of the current global governance structures, followed by an introduction to the key conceptual and theoretical issues that have preoccupied global governance scholars for some time. It then proceeds to examine the governance in key issue-areas of global economy, such as finance, trade, knowledge, labour and the environment, paying attention less to the relevant international organisations, and rather more to the material and ideological elements that underpin the governance of these issue-areas, as well as the key state and non-state actors within them.
Please note that module information is indicative and may change from year to year.
Assessment details
one 3,000-word essay (100% of module mark)
Educational aims & objectives
This module aims to provide an understanding of formal and informal institutions, actors and issues at the core of the current global economic governance edifice. It aims to:
- Equip students with key analytical tools and a good understanding of the main theoretical approaches to understanding global governance
- provide a solid understanding of the main historical developments that have shaped the current global governance edifice
- examine in more depth the politics, processes, institutions, actors and ideas that currently constitute the global governance of a number of key issues-areas, such as health, trade, environment, labour rights and knowledge production.
Learning outcomes
This module aims to provide an understanding of formal and informal institutions, actors and issues at the core of the current global economic governance edifice. Having successfully completed the module, students will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the main features of key issues and actors in global economic governance and the different analytical/theoretical frameworks used to analyse them;
- Understand how the study of the global economic governance fits within the broader discipline of International Political Economy;
- Apply appropriate conceptual tools to explain different aspects of the global political economy.
Cognitive thinking:
- Critically assess debates on issues related to global economic governance and synthesise academic materials from different sources;
- Demonstrate appropriate cognitive and communicative skills, including understanding complex concepts and theories, exercising critical judgement, problem-solving skills; making effective oral and written presentations and deepening the capacity for independent learning;
- Write scholarly and grammatically correct essays that are referenced in accordance with established academic practice.
Key transferable skills:
- Better understanding of the demands of independent learning
- Identification of relevant databases and sources of research material;
- Gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of sources.
Teaching pattern
Two hours per week, one lecture and one seminar
Indicative Teaching Schedule:
The list of indicative weekly topics is as follows:
Part One: Historical Context, Theories and Concepts
1. Global Governance: Foundations and Contestations
2. Global Governance: Critical Approaches
Part Two: Contemporary Issues
3. Governing Trade
4. Governing Finance
5. Governing Labour Standards
6. Governing Development
7. Governing Natural Resources
8. Governing the Environment
9. Governing Health
10. Governing Migration
Note that this teaching schedule is indicative and subject to change.
Suggested reading list
- Acharya, A. (ed.) (2016) Why Govern?: Rethinking Demand and Progress in Global Governance, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press;
- Avant, D., Finnemore, M. and Sell, S. (eds.) (2010) Who Governs the Globe?, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press;
- Barnett, M. and R. Duvall (eds) (2005) Power in Global Governance, Cambridge University Press;
- Best, J. and Gheciu, A. (eds.) (2014) The Return of the Public in Global Governance. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press;
- Cerny, P. G. (2010) Rethinking World Politics: A Theory of Transnational Neopluralism. Oxford: Oxford University Press;
- Gill, S. (ed.) (2015) Critical Perspectives on the Crisis of Global Governance: Reimagining the Future. Palgrave Macmillan
- Guzzini, S and Neumann, I. B. (2012) The Diffusion of Power in Global Governance, Palgrave MacMillan;
- Hall, Rodney B. and Thomas J. Biersteker, eds. (2002), The Emergence of Private Authority in Global Governance, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press;
- Murphy, C. (2005) Global Institutions, Marginalization and Development, Routledge
- Rai, S. and Waylen, G. (2008) Global Governance: Feminist Perspectives, Palgrave MacMillan
- Ruggie, J. G. (1993) Multilateralism Matters: The Theory and Praxis of an Institutional Form. New York: Columbia University Press.
- Sinclair, T. (2012) Global Governance, Cambridge: Polity Press;
- Weiss, T. and R. Wilkinson (2019) Rethinking Global Governance, Cambridge: Polity Press
- Weiss, T. and R. Wilkinson (eds) (2013) International Organisations and Global Governance,
- Willets, P. (2011) Non-Governmental Organizations in World Politics: The Construction of Global Governance, London: Routledge
- Zürn, M. (2018) A Theory of Global Governance: Authority, Legitimacy and Contestation, Oxford University Press.