Global Governance on the Brink

1.5 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor, Undergraduate

Its a time of uncertainty in international relations, as Russia’s war of attrition grinds on in Ukraine, populist forces consolidate their hold on power in Europe, war rages once again in the Middle East, and the United States struggles to redefine its role – and commitment – on the global stage. In parallel, Beijing looks to remake the world order in its image (with its lesser ally, Moscow), and a complex network takes shape under the broad umbrella of the “Global South”. What are the implications for international affairs? The world is in a period of mutation, for which the war in Ukraine has acted as a catalyst. The foundations of our global system are under attack, and unpredictability is increasingly becoming the norm. This course examines the difficult struggle to sustain global governance as we are faced with the emergence of middle and regional powers with newfound relevance which exploit the fragmentation of the international community, against the backdrop of novel alliances and adversarial competing blocs. We will first address the traditional building blocks of international relations and the categories coined in a European context, from sovereignty to Nation States. Issues to be examined include the post-World War II construction of the multilateral architecture and its slow erosion after 9/11; the evolution of international politics since the demise of the Soviet Union and the ensuing revanchism of Russia; the return of great power competition brought about by China’s emergence; and the opportunistic behavior of middle and regional actors vying for greater sway. Keeping in mind that all aspects of global governance cannot be dealt with in one course, we will highlight key elements of the changing nature of the international system and the attendant obstacles to global governance. Part I of the class looks at the evolution of the liberal international order and the disruption it is undergoing. It also considers the challenges faced by States and their interplay with institutions of global governance. Part II focuses on two areas of particular relevance in the current context of mutation: the Great Power Competition, and the shifting security architecture in Europe, against the backdrop of an increasingly assertive diverse “Global South” along with the global and regional challenges underpinning Part III considers particular governance issues – traditional and novel security threats and the energy dilemma – considering existing international responses and possible ways forward. The course is taught from a practitioner’s perspective, drawing on the experience of conducting the foreign affairs of the Kingdom of Spain, participating on the front lines of European construction, navigating the shallow waters of the World Bank Group as its General Counsel, confronting the challenges of a major energy multinational from its Executive Committee, and practicing public and private international law.