Essay

Prompt:

While scholars of world politics have long emphasized its anarchic structure, there also exist clear elements of hierarchy in the international system, particularly between the rich, developed countries of the Global North and the poor, developing countries of the Global South.  The difference between the Global North and South has been institutionalized in various ways in contemporary global governance, and these two groups of states often have widely divergent views on the purpose, justice and value of different governance arrangements, a fact which often complicates the creation and implementation of effective global policies. 

Discuss how the economic and political inequalities between the North and South are manifested in three global governance regimes: the nuclear non-proliferation regime, the climate change regime, and the regime governing global development.  Your answer should consist of three parts.  In the first part, identify the different rights and responsibilities enjoyed by the North and South in all three regimes.  Then, discuss the costs and benefits that these unequal rights and responsibilities generate for the management of these three global problems. What tensions exist between the Global North and South in these regimes and how do these tensions weaken the regime’s effectiveness?  Finally, suggest some possible reforms to each regime that could better address the inequities in the relationship between the North and South in the practice of global governance. Be as specific as possible in offering your recommendations.