globalization global governance and INGOs

1. Global governance refers to the shifting of political and economic institutions to transnational agents or organizations. A feature of globalization, global governance theoretically ensures collaboration and cooperation between sovereign nation-states as well as private sector enterprises. Global governance often includes participation by transnational or international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) as well as para-governmental organizations like the United Nations. Global governance recognizes the inevitability of interdependence for achieving mutually beneficial economic, political, and social goals.
The goals of global governance vary depending on regional differences and differential needs. International economics organizations like the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, and the World Bank have become fully integrated into global economic strategies. Global governance groups do form policies and follow protocols, which are enforced mainly with sanctions and censure rather than through military pressure.
Global governance often has a regional focus, but is occasionally truly international in scope. Some of the international issues addressed by global governance include world trade, economic development, and policies related to climate change. International diplomacy and peacekeeping may also be on the global governance agenda.
2. Globalization does not necessarily dilute the efficacy of the nation-state. Although the nation-state has become more integrated into systems of global governance and into the global market economy, sovereign nation-states continue to play a role in their domestic affairs as well as in their participation in regional political and economic activities. Granted, the global and international systems of power do influence decisions made by nation-states. As Lechner & Boli (2014) point out, nation states remain the fundamental unit of modern politics,” even though globalization “curtails some of the power of nation-states,” (p. 11). Globalization generally has a greater impact on a nation-state’s economic policy, and therefore indirectly influences international diplomacy.
Globalization has also enhanced the clout of smaller nation-states via their ability to participate in systems of global governance. Wealth is often a greater factor in determining the role or status of an individual country. Therefore, participation in regional or international coalitions can help boost the political or economic prowess of smaller nations. Nation-states are also free to extricate themselves from global governance systems.
3. INGOs play a major role in global governance. Many INGOs focus on specific human rights or social justice issues that are not being addressed at the level of national government. This is especially true for human rights and social justice concerns. Some INGOs endeavor to influence global governance directly by taking part in policymaking. INGOs might also use similar tools and tactics as global governance groups when creating transnational coalitions, working in tandem with the private sector, or collaborating with national or local governments. In many cases, INGOs are not truly globalized entities because they have more of a regional focus. However, INGOs are by definition transnational.
Because the major systems of global governance seem directly tied to world trade and global market activities, INGOs sometimes play the role of balancing and checking unbridled capitalism. An INGO might be involved in pressuring governments and international businesses to adopt new environmental or anti-pollution regulations, or to improve working conditions. Alternatively, an NGO might help create pathways for sustainable economic development through the stimulation of localized entrepreneurship or microlending.



References

Lechner, F. J. & John Boli (eds). (2014). The Globalization Reader. Fifth Edition. Malden: Wiley-Blackwell.
Ritzer, G. & Paul Dean. (2015). Globalization: A Basic Text. Oxford: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.