Evolution of Global Governance

¶ … 21st century experienced many changes. Some of which related to political and civil unrest and terrorist attacks. The issues surrounding global governance and the outcomes of such problems in the present day have sparked the interests of researchers and analysts. They have come to a better understanding. With closer integration of nations worldwide through globalization, greater need for collective action arises. Although globalization increased within the last decade, it is greater in terms of economic globalization vs. political globalization. Even in most recent years, development of an international rule of law has not truly formed. Instead, certain rules, like the WTO rules governing worldwide trade, are extremely unfair. "…they have been designed to benefit the developed countries, partly at the expense of the developing countries" (Stiglitz, 2004, p. 2).

In order to address specific issues when it comes to global governance, it is important to approach international problems in a piecemeal, ad hoc manner. Because global institutions are limited in scope and few in number, as well as have to be complemented through use of special treaties fashioned to address concerns, things like global warming often become main topics of conversation. Global warming is a worldwide issue with potentially devastating effects both economically and politically. International consensus and international scientific consensus suggests something must be done worldwide to fix or decrease global warming. "An international treaty, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change signed in 1992 and the Kyoto Protocol signed in 1997 provided the beginnings of an answer. But the world's largest polluter refuses sign the agreement" (Stiglitz, 2004, p. 2).

Problems like these promote less understanding and less unity among nations across the globe. Even though the internet allows users to connect and expand their horizons, more and more groups come out of the woodwork like ISIS, to create divide and unnecessary warfare. They promote propaganda videos and post heinous torture photos and clips in order to show those who attempt to defy them and their regime, what they will face. Governments like the one in Afghanistan that are assisted by other countries like the United States and England, cannot seem to keep control of their citizens or the active militant groups within their borders. Every effort feels wasted as more and more battles and casualties occur.

Global organizations have not been able to settle purely economic issues with Greece experiencing a long recession almost to the brink of catastrophe. Countries gave aid to Greece, and that did not solve the financial problems the government face in relation to debt. Many problems nations seem to just pass or ignore, in lieu of gains that are more lucrative. Such gains typically are oil drilling and weapons trade. The future of global governance could lie elsewhere and may come from unexpected places. "While some observers see an emancipatory potential in the redistribution of power among states, others see the rising powers as firmly located within the Western-centred neoliberal world order" (Gray & Murphy, 2013, p. 183).

Democratic notions are often blended with democratic credentials. Meaning international organizations fail to deal with issues unless proponents approach in formalistic style. "They focus on granting access to civil society organizations, making policy-relevant documents available online or establishing global parliamentary assemblies to give citizens a voice in the decision-making of international organizations"(Dingwerth, 2014, p. 1124). Much of the "red tape" that is normally involved in decision making within such international organizations reduces the competency and effectiveness of such organizations in favor of following specific style and guidelines. Although structure and order becomes a necessary aspect of any organization, heavy focus on these aspects of organization deter effective decision and rule making.

A mixture, a balance of informal and formal response to world problems makes it easier to focus on what needs to be remedied instead of how to approach something. Many of the problems today nations halt progress because they do not follow rules or standards as well as the organizations expect them to. All a nonsensical song and dance reduces the overall efficiency and reduces the urgency of major problems. History has never truly shown a time where the nations came together and worked together to solve problems. Even in recent times with the world wars, countries remained divided, loyal to a side not grounded on principal or to solve problems; rather, to gain power, implement a specific standard. It is a sad way to view things in such a way, but people have shown repeatedly that the needs of many do not outweigh the needs of one. Tyrants and political groups will seize control and prevent progress in order to overpower governments and countries.