Global Futures Multilateralism v. Unilateralism: Moving beyond Westphalia?

Terms in supranational and global governance and decision making Governance: processes and systems by which an organization or society operate. Governments, other institutions such as regional or international: NATO, EU, WTO, ICC Treaties and agreements Multilateralism: multiple parties working in concert to address a problem or concern UN WTO European Union Unilateralism: one party works alone or without broad consensus

Trends in supranational and global governance and decision making Regionalism European Union moves to regionalism NATO, NAFTA, CAFTA, ASEAN, etc. Emerging sub-state regional entities: US Mexico border planning institutions Many international institutions and initiatives ILO International Labor Organization Trade: WTO, IMF UN: Security, Health, Welfare International Criminal Court, etc. etc. Environmental, Human Rights, Economic, Political Treaties and Agreements

What is the current counter- trend?  “Our Law, Your Law”--The Economist on US Unilateralism US has historically wanted to export rule of law around the world War Crimes Tribunals Antitrust laws Trade: WTO, IMF Seen as strength, but sometimes also criticized as too much strength Anti-globalization movement

This is changing: US backing off of and emerging disregard for multilateralism: Biological Weapons Convention Anti Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty CTBT(nukes) WTO: Double standard in trade: steel tariffs/China textiles Kyoto Protocol International Criminal Court Geneva Convention on prisoners of war Gonzalez appointment to Attorney General (some torture rules are “quaint” UN Nomination of John Bolton to Ambassadorship Wants to dismantle the UN

Why is US unilateralist? According to The Economist: Practical reasons re: terrorism ICC: vulnerability to retaliation for its policing of the world Ideological: “it will restrain our autonomy” US “Exceptionalism”: US is separate and different from all the other countries Ultimately: Because it is a superpower and so it can

Why is US unilateralist? Robert Kagan: Because it is powerful typical scenario of power Europe: Multilateral, peaceful, and progressive US: needs to be unilateralist to protect world, Europe, and itself as the world superpower Kagan thesis: The weak countries are always multilateralist, the strong ones are always unilateralist Europe can “afford” to be multilateralist because US takes care of security/military concerns

Why is US unilateralist? Wallerstein: Because it is becoming relatively weaker Relative to Post WWII Politically, economically, culturally dominant Needs to keep Europe in check economically Other Key Future concerns: China China in conjunction with Russia and/or Japan and/or reunited Korea Global Social Movements that support people who want more say in democratic decision making

US Imperialism? “ the deliberate exercise of military power and economic influence by powerful states in order to advance and secure their national interests” Formal governmental control: colonialism Indirect rule (Rwanda) Indirect but authoritative pressure Military threat Economic sanctions Cultural domination Institutions of governance

Is this the most efficient path to democracy, peace, and development? US: you bet The Economist, Europe, and other critics: Costly Divisive Arrogant Potentially less secure Imperialistic?