What are the general arguments for and against global governance? What are the questions we should use to assess the performance of international organizations?
Global governance aims at promoting people’s participation and empowerment as per public policies and choices and it could have both positive and negative impacts. On the positive side, global governance is required to stimulate improvement, reduce inequality, and maintain social stability. Common global problems like climate change require a global cooperative solution and a country cannot survive effectively on its own without a hand from the outside world. Without global governance, governments and groupings trying to further their ends internationally would have fewer tools and forums for discussion and exchange would be less frequent.
On the negative side, global governance has failed to give security. There is a disconnection between the distribution of authority and the distribution of economic power within the existing international institutions. This affects the ability of these institutions to deal efficiently with urgent problems and also the ability to participate in the public policy-making. The questions we should use to assess the performance of international organizations for instance are; How quickly do they respond to international disasters? And what actions do they take on these disasters? Are the actions effective?
Question 2
What does the EU do and how well has it worked? What are the areas of discontent?
The European Union unifies trade and eliminates border controls among members. This allows the flow of goods and people freely. The EU promotes economic growth and social progress through fair treatment. It also speaks for the member countries on the international scene and develops Europe as an area of security, justice, and freedom. The areas of discontent in the European Union are the high membership costs, the use of single currency and overcrowding as a result of immigration. The EU also favors larger countries at the expense of smaller ones.
Question 3
How has Britain benefited or been disadvantaged by membership in the EU?
Britain got free trade opportunities with member states. The EU allows import and exports between member states excluding the tariffs and other barriers. Britain also benefited from the inward investments and also increased job opportunity for members as individuals can freely move to other member states. Britain has, however, had some disadvantages with its membership in the EU. For instance, security issues as the open border do not allow the country to check and control people. The increased rate of immigration has also led to some difficulties in housing and the provision of services. The country also incurred a higher amount of membership fee.
Question 4
When, why, and how did Britain decide to Brexit?
Britain decided to leave the European Union on June 23, 2016 referendum. The country's conservative general election victory activated a manifesto pledge to carry out an in-out referendum on Britain's membership of the EU. One of the reasons for this decision was immigration. Many argued that increases in immigration will have a more noticeable effect and possibly have an influence on politics too. The other reason is the issue of sovereignty where Britain wants to do away with the control over its domestic affairs by EU and re-establish itself as an independent country.
Question 5
Analyze the case based on what you have learned in this class about international organizations: Should Britain leave the EU and why.
Britain should not leave the EU. Although the country wants sovereignty, it has greater global influence as a member of the EU and the union provides a counterweight to the global power of the US, Russia, and China. Leaving the EU would also mean no free trade with other member countries. Free movement of labor has also helped in the acquisition of unskilled workers and this will not be possible if Britain decides to leave the EU.
References
Böhmelt, T., Koubi, V., & Bernauer, T. (2014). Civil society participation in global governance: Insights from climate politics. European Journal of Political Research, 53(1), 18-36.
Tabernero, J., & Ciardiello, F. (2016). Brexit: a European perspective. The Lancet Oncology, 17(5), 558-559.