Reflexive Authorities

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Zürn
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Separation Of Powers ◽  
Political Authority ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Loosely Coupled ◽  
State Actors

In this chapter, authority is developed as key concept for analyzing the global governance system. Max Weber’s foundational treatment is used to capture the paradox involved in the notion of “voluntary subordination.” Building on this foundation, the concept of reflexive authority is elaborated in contrast to two other concepts that have prevailed in international relations so far. The argument is laid out against the background of the global governance context, one in which the authority holders are in many respects weaker than most state actors. Two types of reflexive authority are identified: epistemic and political authority. Finally, the interplay between different authorities in global governance is analyzed to identify the major features of the global governance system. It is—to put it in the shortest possible form—a system of only loosely coupled spheres of authorities that is not coordinated by a meta-authority and lacks a proper separation of powers.

Conclusion

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Zürn
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Political System ◽  
Global Politics ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Causal Mechanisms

This chapter summarizes the argument of the book. It recapitulates the global governance as a political system founded on normative principles and reflexive authorities in order to identify the legitimation problems built into it; it points to the explanation of the rise of societal politicization and counter-institutionalization via causal mechanisms highlighting the endogenous dynamics of that global governance system; and, it sums up the conditions under which the subsequent processes of legitimation and delegitimation lead to the system’s decline or to a deepening of it. In addition, the conclusion submits that the arguments put forward in this book are in line with a newly emerging paradigm in International Relations. A “global politics paradigm” is increasingly complementing the “cooperation under anarchy paradigm” which has been dominant for around five decades. The chapter finishes with suggestions of areas for further research.

The Politicization of Authority beyond the Nation State

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Zürn
Keyword(s):  
Global Governance ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
Political Authority ◽  
World Politics ◽  
The Other ◽  
Nation State ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Societal Actors ◽  
The One

This chapter argues that the notion of international cooperation as a purely executive, legal, or technocratic matter misses some decisive features of world politics today. International institutions are seen not only by political, but also by societal actors as political institutions exercising public authority requiring legitimacy. Two broad claims are tested. According to the first, the politicization of international institutions can be ascribed to the patterns of authority in the global governance system. The more political authority international institutions exercise, the more attention they attract, the more actors participate in debates and the more polarization in opinions takes place. The second broad claim is that politicization is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it leads to a broadening of legitimation efforts including participatory and fairness-based narratives. On the other hand, politicization may also lead to a significant legitimacy gap that can undermine the authorities as a whole.

scholarly journals Regimes Internacionais – Do intergovernamental público às arenas transnacionais público-privadas * International Regimes – From public intergovernmental to public-private transnational arenas

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 302
Author(s):  
JOÃO PAULO CÂNDIA VEIGA ◽  
MURILO ALVES ZACARELI
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
International Relations ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
International Political Economy ◽  
International System ◽  
Analytical Tool ◽  
International Regimes ◽  
Empirical Application ◽  
History Of ◽  
State Actors

<p><strong>Resumo: </strong>Os regimes internacionais foram desenvolvidos para compreender a cooperação em um sistema internacional mais integrado e multipolar. Sua aplicação empírica na história das relações internacionais foi bem sucedida tanto no alcance de temas quanto nos questionamentos teóricos e metodológicos que o conceito suscitou. Mudanças produzidas na economia política internacional dos anos 1970 explicam a sua ascensão como ferramenta analítica para compreender o curso da história na perspectiva das relações internacionais. Da mesma forma, a ascensão de atores não estatais e a constituição de arenas propriamente transnacionais tornaram o conceito obsoleto. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Palavras-chave:</strong> Regimes Internacionais; atores não estatais; arenas transnacionais; governança global.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The international regimes have been developed to understand the cooperation in a more integrated and multipolar international system. Its empirical application in the history of international relations has been successful both in the range of topics and in the theoretical and methodological questions that the concept evokes. Changes produced in the international political economy of the 1970s explain the rise of the international regimes as an analytical tool to understand the course of history from the perspective of the international relations. Similarly, the rise of non-state actors and the establishment of transnational arenas have made the concept of international regimes obsolete.</p><strong>Keywords:</strong> International Regimes; non-state actors; transnational arenas; global governance.

Authority, legitimacy, and contestation in global governance

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Orfeo Fioretos ◽  
Jonas Tallberg
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Political System ◽  
The State ◽  
Global Politics ◽  
Research Communities ◽  
Governance Theory ◽  
State Actors ◽  
Political Legitimation ◽  
Governance Institutions

Abstract As global governance institutions appear increasingly contested by state and non-state actors alike, understanding their origin, operation, and impact is becoming ever more urgent. This symposium uses Michael Zürn's A Theory of Global Governance: Authority, Legitimacy, and Contestation (OUP, 2018) as a springboard to explore the state of global governance theory. A Theory opens new terrain and advances bold and original arguments, including the contention that global governance is itself best understood as a political system. It analyzes a cycle from rising authority beyond the state through the 20th century, to ensuing legitimation problems toward the century's end, to the politicization and contestation triggered by such problems. A book of such ambition inevitably elicits queries within diverse international relations research communities. This symposium features seven articles from diverse traditions in engagement with A Theory's understanding of global contestation, authority, and legitimacy. These are followed by a response from Zürn. An introduction situates A Theory within extant research on global governance, highlights its endogenous theory of global politics, and identifies the stakes of deepening research on the sources of global authority, contestation, and political legitimation.

Between Club Diplomacy and Network Diplomacy: Exploring the Diplomatic Role of Cities in China since 2012

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Chen Wei
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Communication Channels ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Global Partnerships ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Type

Summary This article addresses the question of whether the emerging role of cities in diplomacy is a reflection of the diplomatic transformation in China, and what the distinctive features are of the diplomatic roles of cities within China’s context. It argues that city diplomacy in China falls between club diplomacy and network diplomacy by exploring five aspects: the number of players, structures, forms, transparency and main purposes. Cities have developed their representation by serving as important agents in managing domestic and international situations, developed their communication channels by contributing in shaping China’s neighbouring diplomacy and global partnerships, and developed their negotiation techniques by participating in reform of global governance system. The article concludes that the diplomatic role of cities in China is to consolidate the social foundation of relations between nations, promote the establishment of a new type of international relations, and promote a community of a shared future for mankind.

Multilateral Diplomacy

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Muldoon ◽  
JoAnn Fagot Aviel
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
21St Century ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Multilateral Negotiation ◽  
State Actors ◽  
The Many ◽  
Multilateral Diplomacy

Multilateral diplomacy is the management of international relations by negotiations among three or more states through diplomatic or governmental representatives, but it can also be engaged in by representatives of non-state actors. Multilateral negotiation is characterized by multi-parties, multi-issues, multi-roles, and multi-values. The level of complexity is far greater than in bilateral diplomacy as is the level of skill needed to manage that complexity. It can be based on multilateralism, or have multilateralism as a goal, but it can also be pursued by those who do not. Multilateralism can be defined as global governance of the many, and a major principle is the opposition to bilateral discriminatory arrangements. Classic diplomatic studies focused on bilateral diplomacy. However, the growth of international organizations in the 20th century increased interest in multilateral diplomacy, which has developed since its origins in 1648. Increasing attention has been paid to the role of non-state actors and new forms of diplomacy affected by globalization and the digitization of information. In the 21st century, multilateral diplomacy faces unique challenges and calls for reform of international organizations and global governance.

The Rise of the Global Governance System: A Historical-Institutionalist Account

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Zürn
Keyword(s):  
Global Governance ◽  
Institutional Design ◽  
Functional Differentiation ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Critical Juncture ◽  
Loosely Coupled ◽  
Dependent Sequence ◽  
Embedded Liberalism ◽  
Path Dependent

The global governance system developed in the 1990s as a result of a path-dependent sequence that started with the choice of embedded liberalism in the 1940s. The post-Second World War constellation provided a critical juncture that led to institutionalized embedded liberalism and collective security under American leadership. Afterwards, self-reinforcing mechanisms strengthened this institutional design. This whole dynamic was accelerated by an external push when the Soviet empire faltered and functional differentiation could develop its full potential. Together, these developments created a new critical juncture. As a result of the decisions taken in this situation, a global governance system emerged. It consists of loosely coupled spheres of both political and epistemic authority. Overall, the authority of IOs has increased remarkably. As a consequence, this global governance system co-produces reactive sequences. It contains serious deficits undermining its acceptance and sustainability leading to resistance and demands for change.

scholarly journals Atores não estatais ilícitos e a governança global: o lugar do terrorismo dentro do debate normativo das Relações Internacionais/ Illicit non-state actors and global governance: terrorism’s place within International Relations’ normative debate

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-669
Author(s):  
Natalia Nahas Carneiro Maia Calfat
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
State Authority ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
State Actors

É objetivo deste artigo discorrer sobre o papel o terrorismo dentro do debate sobre governança global nas Relações Internacionais. Apesar da agenda normativa reconhecer a emergência e importância de atores não estatais ilícitos no cenário internacional, a literatura parece centrada em resolver questões de legitimidade, accountability, transparência, democratização e inclusão. Ignorando, neste sentido, o relevante papel de grupos terroristas tanto sobre a (in)governança global quanto na contestação da autoridade estatal. Através da análise da literatura normativa sobre governança global identificaremos neste artigo a necessidade, por parte destes teóricos, da contemplação de forma mais exploratória da emersão destas novas modalidades de autoridade e de governança.Palavras-Chave: terrorismo, atores não estatais ilícitos, governança global, autoridade.  Abstract: This current essay discusses the role of terrorism within the debate over global governance in the field of International Relations. Despite the normative agenda recognition of the emergence and importance of illicit non-state actors at the international arena, the literature seems focused on solving issues such as legitimacy, accountability, transparency, democratization and inclusion. Ignoring, therefore, the relevant role of terrorist groups over both global (in) governance as well as its impugnment of state authority. By analyzing the normative literature on global governance we identify through this article the normative theorists’ need for contemplating, on a more exploratory manner, the emergence of these new forms of authority and governance.Key-words: terrorism, illicit non-state actors, global governance, authority.

scholarly journals The role of transnational companies in the reality of the new world

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (34) ◽  
pp. 97-105
Author(s):  
Anton A. Evsuykov
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Transnational Corporations ◽  
World Politics ◽  
Governance System ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Status ◽  
Transnational Companies

The purpose of the study is to analyze the problem of determining the status of transnational corporations in the system of global governance, in revealing the transition of transnational corporations from an economic subject of international relations to understanding it as a political actor in the system of international relations. The article covers a range of issues related to attempts to regulate foreign TNCs by national states, It also touches upon the issue of changing the positions of leading TNCs in the ratings compiled by authoritative publications over the past decade, an analysis of the influence of transnational corporations as non-state actors in world politics is carried out. Research methodology. Analysis of published survey reports of international organizations and individual leading transnational corporations. One of the most pressing issues in the study of the role and place of transnational corporations in world politics is the problem of determining the status of transnational corporations in the global governance system. As a result, we find that transnational corporations act in the global governance system as tools and as institutions, which requires the development of new scientific approaches that reflect the dynamics of the introduction of these actors into the system of world politics.

The Theoretical Model

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Zürn
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
Historical Institutionalism ◽  
Governance System ◽  
State Consent

The authority–legitimation link states that international institutions exercising authority need to nurture the belief in their legitimacy. The authority–legitimation link points to fundamental challenges for the global governance system: with the rise of international authorities that are, at the same time, more intrusive, state consent is undermined and societies are affected directly. Consequently, legitimation problems arise, followed by processes of delegitimation, which then trigger responses by the challenged institutions. Using concepts of historical institutionalism, it is argued in this chapter that the authority–legitimation link produces reactive sequences either via the route of societal politicization or via counter-institutionalization by states. These reactive sequences may result in either a decline or a deepening of global governance depending on the responses of authority holders.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document