Lesson-3.docx

Lesson 3: Global Politics and Contemporary Global Governance Global politics has long been dominated by western countries such as America and European countries such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany. But for the past three decades since its reform and opening itself up to the world economy and its eventual economic development China has steadily been making its presence felt in the international arena of politics and economics. Wang Jisi’s paper provides analyses of the current trends of contemporary world politics and just how China fits in to these trends. To quote the author: “to make judgment on the trends of world politics, it is necessary to evaluate China’s strength and its role in global affairs; at the same while, to predict the development path of China in the future, it is necessary to study the global environment in which China is in, and the future trends of world politics and power structure” The aim of this lecture is to provide deeper knowledge about contemporary global politics by making them understand the current trends affecting it. At the end of the lecture the students should be able to identify how these trends affect specific countries and the whole world in general. Concepts to Master 1. Politics 2. Governance 3. Global Politics 4. Global Governance 5. Political Globalization 6. Political System Introductory Literature Tamayao, Michael Jhon. What https://tamayaosbc.wordpress.com/2014/08/21/what-is-governance/

is

Governance?

Wang, Jisi. Contemporary World Politics and China’s Role http://www.tokyofoundation.org/en/articles/2008/contemporary-world-politics-and-china2019srole#relatedarticles

Wang, Jisi. The Trends of Contemporary World Politics and China's Global Role. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257713575_The_Trends_of_Contemporary_World_Po litics_and_China's_Global_Role

Lecture Outline: Literature 1: What is Governance? By Michael Jhon Tamayao (2014) I.

Global Politics A. Also known as WORLD POLITICS B. Refers both the discipline that studies the political and economic patterns of the world and the field that is being studied C. the center of that field are the different processes of political globalization in relation to questions of social power. D. studies the relationships between cities, nation-states, shell-states, multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations and international organizations E. Current areas of discussion include national and ethnic conflict regulation, democracy and the politics of national self-determination, globalization and its relationship to democracy, conflict and peace studies, comparative politics, political economy, and the international political economy of the environment F. One important area of global politics is contestation in the global political sphere over legitimacy

II.

Political Globalization A. refers to the growth of the worldwide political system, both in size and complexity B. One of the key aspects of the political globalization is the declining importance of the nation-state and the rise of other actors on the political scene C. The creation and existence of the United Nations has been called one of the classic examples of political globalization.

III.

Political System A. is a system of politics and government B. complex system of categories involving the questions of who authority and what the government’s influence on its people and economy should have should be

IV.

Governance Latin verb “gubernare,” originally from the Greek word “kubernaein,” “to steer” refers to the manner of steering or governing, or of directing and controlling, a group of people or a state. E. the exercise of power or authority by political leaders for the well-being of their country’s citizens or subjects F. essentially related to politics, in that politics is often defined as the art of governance A. B. C. D.

G. Just as politics talks about governments, institutions, power, order, and the ideals of justice, governance also deals with the public sector, power structures, equity, and ideals of public administration H. they are distinct from each other in the sense that politics is broader than governance I. Traditionally, the study of politics entails the concept of the “good life” and the “ideal society,” which are so broad they include a web of subjects and every possible form of government. V.

Global Governance A. a movement towards political cooperation among transnational actors, aimed at negotiating responses to problems that affect more than one state or region B. Institutions of global governance—the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, the World Bank, etc.—tend to have limited or demarcated power to enforce compliance C. The modern question of world governance exists in the context of globalization and globalizing regimes of power: politically, economically and culturally D. may name the process of designating laws, rules, or regulations intended for a global scale. E. is not a singular system

Literature 2: The Trends of Contemporary World Politics and China's Global Role by Wang Jisi (2012) I.

Characteristics of Contemporary World Politics: 1. as the negative effects of globalization become steadily more apparent, non-traditional security issues and lopsided economic development are growing more pronounced. China in a Globalized World A. It has been thirty years since China has opened itself up economically to the world. It has since then enjoyed the benefits of the global economy B. At least four major challenges lie ahead as China continues to develop. The first is a shortage of resources (particularly energy and water). The second is the deterioration in China’s natural environment. The third is the disparities in the country’s socio-economic structure (growing gaps between rich and poor, between different regions, and between urban and rural areas). And the fourth challenge is the threat of major natural disasters and disease epidemics. C. To confront these challenges, the Chinese government has set forth a doctrine emphasizing scientific development and social harmony. i.

embark on an integrated effort to switch to a new growth model, expand domestic demand, and develop in harmony with nature

ii.

forge an appropriate balance among economic construction, population growth, resource consumption, and protection of the natural environment; to place democracy and constitutional government on a sound footing

iii.

set Chinese society as a whole on a path toward civilized development through enhanced production, higher quality of life, and environmental improvement

iv.

If it is to adhere to this policy, China will have to minimize economic friction and resource competition with other countries while refraining from expanding its military capabilities

v.

China will also be compelled to make its own innovations, broaden its investment in science and technology and education, and contribute proactively to international cooperation.

2. the worldwide resurgence of religious forces and various forms of nationalism. Mediating Between Religions and Ethnic Groups A. China’s opening up to the world not only led to economic reform but also provided a conduit for importing the world’s cultures and ideas, allowing China to absorb the quintessential elements of various civilizations all over the world B. China wishes to strengthen both its own culture and its cultural influence on the rest of the world C. China’s strengthening its soft power does not mean that other countries’ soft power will be diminished D. if it implements its economic and cultural reforms simultaneously, there is little doubt that Chinese civilization can take on a unique role in international affairs. 3. the centers of power and wealth and the engines of growth are shifting. A Changing Balance of Power and the Direction of China’s Growth A. China, India, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, and other emerging countries are seizing the opportunity for growth provided by globalization, rapidly augmenting their national power and exerting greater international influence B. China maintains a policy of openness in its cooperative relations with the rest of the AsiaPacific region, while also taking into consideration the interests and requests of countries outside the region C. China has experienced the most rapid development of any emerging economy, such that its demands on external resources and markets have reached considerable proportions

D. The world wants to know how China will assess and leverage its power and influence, which continue to grow stronger by the day E. Merely disclosing general information and refuting the “China as a threat” argument falls well short of what is needed to overcome this problem F. Amid the shift in global wealth and power, China must calmly and objectively consolidate its power and, without becoming overconfident G. To this end, first China must uphold its policy of not entering alliances and must refrain from conducting politics as part of a group of major powers. Second, it must maintain a cooperative posture and a policy of openness toward all countries without using ideology and social structure to draw distinctions or determine the degree of closeness in bilateral relations. Third, China must develop its own innovations and, starting with the expansion of domestic demand, create a new, modernized template for development in which it does not rely excessively on material resources.

4. International rules and order are about to experience major changes An Active Role in Determining International Rules A. As a country that has actively taken part in and reaped the benefits of economic globalization, China has gained new awareness from the world’s existing political and economic structure and has experienced the process of gradually adapting itself to this framework B. China will play a more active role than it has thus far by reappraising and adapting to existing international rules C. China’s active participation in setting international rules and its contributions to improving international political and economic stability will serve to substantiate and promote its proclaimed commitment to peaceful development and cooperation in building a harmonious world. II.

In conclusion, there are four duties that China must carry out amid a world political situation that grows more complex each day. China must (1) adhere steadfastly to its plans for sustainable growth; (2) encourage harmony among the peoples of the world; (3) ensure the stable transition of the international regime; and (4) advocate rational international rules and order.

 a diplomatic strategy that enables China to fulfill its international responsibilities must first be based on three aspects of national interest: sovereignty, security, and development

Activity/Assessment Instruction: 1. Group the students (number of groups would depend on the instructor’s decision) 2. Let them pick a country (draw lots or group decision) and let them research about the country’s Government (form and structure), Status of economy (Economic resources, imports, exports) issues and problem (economic, social and cultural), Conflicts (internal and external, economic, social, political, cultural), policies and actions to solve these problems, issues and conflicts, membership in international organizations (to be assigned beforehand, at least a meeting before the day of the activity) 3. Using the format below, fill in the necessary information 4. Let each group present their output by explaining to the rest of the class how the country they have chosen has fared in relation to the trends in contemporary world politics. Trends 1 2 3 4

Effect to the country

Contribution to the trend