Global Governance Mechanisms Research Articles

Reinforcing inequalities: A critical examination of international sanctions and bureaucratic decline in the Global South

This study critically examines the impact of international sanctions on bureaucratic quality in 74 developing countries from 1990 to 2020, highlighting how global governance mechanisms influence domestic institutional capacities. By focusing on the interaction between sanctions and economic crises, the research provides fresh empirical evidence on how external political pressures can inadvertently hinder development trajectories in the Global South. Utilizing a fixed-effect regression methodology with robust controls and addressing endogeneity concerns, the findings reveal that international sanctions—especially multilateral ones from the EU and UN—significantly deteriorate bureaucratic quality, particularly during economic crises. This deterioration undermines state capacity, exacerbates inequalities, and challenges the effectiveness and fairness of sanctions as tools of global governance. The study contributes to debates on global development by demonstrating how sanctions can reinforce global power asymmetries and produce divergent development outcomes. It urges a re-evaluation of sanctions within international policy, advocating for more equitable and context-sensitive approaches that prioritize the institutional integrity and development needs of vulnerable nations. The research underscores the importance of aligning global governance mechanisms with ethical principles and development goals, promoting dialogue and collaboration over punitive measures to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable global development paradigm.

UNESCO's AI Ethics Principles: Challenges and Opportunities

This paper examines UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, which outlines key principles for ensuring responsible AI development. The aim is to explore the challenges and opportunities in implementing these principles in the current AI landscape. Through a literature review, comparative analysis of existing frameworks, and case studies. This research identifies key challenges such as cultural variability, regulatory gaps, and the rapid pace of AI innovation. Conversely, it highlights opportunities like establishing global ethical standards, fostering public trust, and promoting responsible AI innovation. The study proposes strategies for overcoming challenges, including clear ethical metrics, international oversight, and ethics education in AI curricula. The findings emphasize the requirement for global cooperation and robust governance mechanisms to ensure ethical AI development. The research concludes that while implementing UNESCO's AI ethics principles is complex, it is crucial for safeguarding human rights and promoting sustainable AI growth worldwide.

Moderating Effect of IFRS Compliance on the Relationship between Ownership Structure and Financial Reporting Quality

This study investigates the moderating effect of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on the relationship between corporate governance, specifically ownership structure, and financial reporting quality in listed non-finance firms in Nigeria. Utilizing an ex-post facto research design, the study drew its data from 67 non-finance firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group over a ten-year period (2012-2021). The study employs purposive sampling and hierarchical regression analysis to explore the complex connection between IFRS adoption and ownership structures, revealing that IFRS plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of financial reporting. The findings indicate that while ownership concentration may weaken financial reporting quality in the absence of IFRS, the adoption of IFRS significantly moderates this effect, leading to improved transparency and reduced earnings manipulation. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence from a less developed market context, emphasizing the critical interaction between global accounting standards and corporate governance mechanisms. The study concludes that robust enforcement of IFRS compliance, combined with targeted capacity building for financial professionals, is essential to ensure high-quality financial reporting in Nigeria. Key implications include the need for enhanced regulatory oversight and collaboration between regulatory bodies and professional accounting organizations to foster consistent adherence to IFRS, thereby improving the reliability of financial statements and boosting investor confidence.

The Impact of the Global Minimum Tax Reform on China and Its Countermeasures

Abstract Significant corporate tax reform was agreed upon by more than 140 nations in 2021, with implementation set for 2023 and beyond. Many people throughout the globe are discussing the possible effects of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) planned adjustment to the global minimum tax (GMT) on their respective economies. The OECD has formulated a “two-pillar” scheme for international tax rules for 137 countries and regions within the overall framework. Pillar 2 is to set the tax rate at 15%, the world’s lowest corporate tax. The GMT is a reclassification of the taxing authority mechanism for the profits of multinational corporations, which has made significant adjustments to the global tax coordination and governance mechanism. People living in China and earning money from China must pay university fees, which are all of a nationality. Progressive rates ranging from 3 to 45% apply to the complete income. Therefore, taking the initiative in policy is crucial to address this challenge actively. This article makes an in-depth assessment and prediction of the impact of the GMT reform on China’s tax system and enterprises and proposes countermeasures. However, approximately 20% of the earnings can be exposed to the 15% tax rate that governments can apply. If the entire process is mixed in tandem, the tax rate equals 0.2%. Hence, an important amount of tax revenue can proceed down the drain. From the numerical outcomes, the minimum tax with jurisdictional blending was set at 12.5% under Pillar 2; the disparity between the sample’s top and lowest EATRs would decrease by 2.8% points.

Artificial Intelligence and International Law: The Impact of Emerging Technologies on the Global Legal System

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, its impact on international law is becoming increasingly significant. This paper explores the application of AI in international relations and the challenges it poses to existing legal systems, analyzing AI regulation within the current international law framework and the exploration of emerging international legal norms. Through specific cases, the paper elaborates on legal issues in the fields of intelligent weapons, cybersecurity, and data protection, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and global governance mechanisms in addressing these challenges. Finally, the paper looks forward to future trends in AI technology and international law’s response strategies, proposing the necessity of constructing effective legal frameworks and ethical guidelines to promote the sustainable development of AI technology and the healthy development of the global legal system.

Evaluating the effectiveness of global governance mechanisms in promoting environmental sustainability and international relations

This study critically evaluates the effectiveness of global governance mechanisms in promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing international relations. Employing a systematic literature review and content analysis, the research scrutinizes peer-reviewed articles, official reports, and policy documents published between 2010 and 2024. The main objectives were to analyze the role of global governance in environmental sustainability, assess its impact on international relations, and propose strategic recommendations for enhancing governance frameworks. The methodology focused on identifying, selecting, and analyzing relevant literature based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, emphasizing the contributions of multilateral environmental agreements, international organizations, public-private partnerships, and the involvement of civil society and non-governmental organizations. Key findings reveal that while global governance mechanisms have significantly contributed to advancing environmental sustainability goals, challenges related to implementation, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of technological innovations persist. The study concludes that adaptive governance structures responsive to evolving environmental issues and stakeholder needs are crucial. Strategic recommendations include strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, enhancing stakeholder engagement, promoting public-private partnerships, and leveraging technological advancements. Directions for future research emphasize exploring the impact of emerging global challenges and investigating the role of non-traditional actors in shaping environmental policies. Keywords: Global Governance, Environmental Sustainability, International Relations, Systematic Literature Review.

‘What gives you the right?’ Foreign policymakers’ perceptions of the legitimacy of sanctions against democratic breakdown in Venezuela (2014–2019)

Drawing on contemporary debates on legitimacy and contestation in international relations, the article offers a novel analytical framework to study processes of legitimation and delegitimation of international sanctions. We apply the framework to analyse foreign policymakers’ evaluations of the legitimacy of the sanctions imposed by states and international organisations against Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela. The content analysis of evaluative statements shows that (de)legitimation processes focus mostly on who has the right to enforce sanctions and reveals differentiated legitimacy evaluations of multilateral versus unilateral enforcers, as well as of different types of international organisations. Sanctions imposed by multilateral senders and with a restricted impact on targeted individuals are evaluated as more legitimate than unilateral sanctions with a wider scope. We argue that the study of the (de)legitimation of sanctions may have important implications not only for enhancing compliance, but especially for transforming international sanctions into a legitimate mechanism of global governance.

Marketization Mechanism of Environmental Protection Law under Global Governance

The Global Environmental Problem is becoming serious, which needs to maintain the environmental governance mechanism effectively. This study analyzes the marketization mechanism of environmental protection law under global governance to meet the environmental challenge. Analyzing the severe background of environmental problems, highlighting the urgency of global governance in environmental protection, it explores the main content of the market-oriented mechanism of environmental protection law. Using various research methods such as literature analogy and clause research, this topic is elaborated from different perspectives. The market-oriented mechanism of environmental protection laws helps to stimulate the environmental awareness of enterprises and individuals, promote the effective utilization of resources and sustainable development of the environment. Attention should be paid to exploring areas such as improving market supervision, strengthening international cooperation, and promoting technological innovation, in order to provide reference for a better global environmental governance mechanism.

Law and democracy in the globalisation of infrastructure as an asset class

ABSTRACT In 2018, the G20 endorsed the ‘Roadmap to Infrastructure as an Asset Class’. This document crystallizes a roaring policy agenda focused on transforming ‘infrastructure’ into a homogeneous, tradeable investment opportunity, attractive to global financial markets. Although the Roadmap is formally a mere policy blueprint, this article studies it as a legal document—one whose purpose is to code infrastructures into capital. Specifically, the article makes three claims, two analytical and one normative. First, that the Roadmap’s way of attracting investors ultimately consists in shielding the decision-making processes related to the design and maintenance of infrastructures from democratic interference. Second, that these restrictions are enforced through global governance mechanisms that push the relevant decision-making authority from the national to the global. And third, that the Roadmap’s agenda is problematic from a democratic standpoint, because it disempowers those who should have a say over the development and maintenance of these infrastructures.

Perceptions, Promotion and Pre-eminence: India’s Presidency of the G20

New Delhi’s taking on the G20 Presidency represents a highly important—if not watershed—moment for Indian diplomacy. For an India that is transitioning from being a developing to a developed economy and whose great power rise centres upon core goals relating to development, modernisation, status, leadership, importance, prestige and pride, assuming the G20 Presidency seems transformational. A central part of the G20’s remit also concerns constructing and maintaining global financial architectures and governance mechanisms, which India can now crucially influence as her own economic clout increases on the global stage. Moreover, New Delhi’s Presidency signifies a pivotal time for the legitimacy of the G20 and one which potentially heralds a more representative era for the grouping, which will only enhance India’s global pre-eminence.

Comparison of Rationales and Approaches of Artificial Intelligence Regulatory Policies in the U.S, EU and China Draws Recommendations on a 'Fit for Purpose' Global AI Governance Mechanism

With the rapid development of AI technologies, our society is facing a global AI regulatory dilemma [1]., with a wide spectrum of AI regulatory rules not only confusing but also incurring very high costs for the participants of the AI industry [2].

Sino-US Contestation and Its Implications for South Asia

The United States and China are facing a contestation across the world as Beijing’s rise and its economic indicators show their emergence in global mainstream. There are apprehensions that it can pose a challenge to the US led liberal world order, formatting alternate mechanism of global governance. China is competing with US in global technological trade along with having flagship projects such as BRI containing 147 countries in it. US and its allies are also doing some counter measures in the form of B3W etc. to contain China yet faces no success. In South Asia, Pakistan and India are having multiple benefits from China such as the huge trade of technological equipment etc. as compared to the United States which is losing its place as a major trade partner. This has generated a test case scenario for the South Asian neighbours to pick either of the major powers. Earlier studies have claimed the growing tendencies of good relations between India and China, but lacked the topic on South Asia with respect to Sino-US rivalry as it is nascent debate in scholarly clubs. Meanwhile, Islamabad as well as New-Delhi find a prudent policy approach in longer future. In this way, using the qualitative techniques of data collection the paper addressed the rising question of Impacts on Foreign Policy of Pakistan and India in such a situation.

The Relevance of ‘International Society’ in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities in a Potential Post-Liberal Order

In this paper, I aim to update and apply the idea and practices of “international society,” as developed in the classic book written by Hedley Bull (1977). This, by assessing its continuing relevance in the first decades of the 21st century. For scholarly, practical, and policy reasons, I believe that Bull’s masterpiece offers a relevant ‘guide to the perplexed’ to navigate world politics in our turbulent times. The two research questions to be addressed in the paper are: First, what are the challenges confronting the idea of the contemporary international society and its practices in the third decade of the 21st century? Second, what is the relevance of the idea of the international society and its practices nowadays? To answer the first question, I compile a list of significant contemporary challenges to the international society. In a nutshell, these include the rise of non-state actors and their challenge to the centrality of states; the impact of globalization and the preponderance of global issues (such as COVID-19 and climate change); and the lack of agreed global and shared norms, in both cultural and normative terms, which make international cooperation more difficult to obtain. Facing these four intertwined challenges, I argue that the idea and practices of international society can be updated to face the complex realities of our times. I sustain this argument by linking the concept and practices of the international society to the relevant mechanisms of global and regional governance, including the institutions of the international society. I refer to alternative world orders from the North and the South that reflect the resilience of the international society. Moreover, the opportunities for the flourishing of international society might include its potential decoupling from the Liberal International Order.

Multilateralism and minilateralism as global governance mechanisms

Multilateralism and minilateralism are the main mechanisms of global governance. Multilateralism is characterized by membership inclusiveness, a low entry threshold for new members, and a focus on universality, while minilateralism is characterized by membership exclusivity, a high entry threshold for new members, and no focus on universality. Contemporary multilateral institutions emerged after World War II under the influence of American hegemony. The US commitment to multilateralism in global governance has been inconsistent, setting the stage for the current crisis of multilateral global governance. The aforementioned crisis can be explained by the problems of American leadership, the emergence of a polycentric power configuration of the world, as well as specific actions of both the hegemon and other great powers. The issue was fueled by the increasingly evident problems of ineffectiveness of the core global institutions in dealing with pressing problems, deadlocks in multilateral negotiations and the lack of representation of developing countries in global governance. The failure of the main actors to respond to these challenges has led to the proliferation of the minilateralist mechanism of global governance. Two types of minilateralism in global governance are distinguished - clubs of the most significant states (the first type) and communities of like-minded states (the second type). The main advantage of the first type of minilateralism is the ability to solve global problems with minimal effort. Minilateralism of the second type is positively distinguished by its homogeneous structure and cohesion of the ranks. The main advantages of minilateralism in general include flexibility, adaptability, plasticity, quick decision-making, free, open and effective negotiations and resource saving. The main disadvantages of minilateralism are low legitimacy, limited technical and financial capabilities, lack of transparency and accountability, vagueness of goals and lack of focus. The first type of minilateralism is able to somewhat increase the effectiveness of interaction within the global institutions by reducing the number of parties involved, but it is unlikely to be able to overcome the core source of ineffectiveness of global governance, which is the mistrust between the main actors. The main disadvantage of the second type of minilateralism is the fragmentation of international regimes. The emergence of the minilateral competitors can both motivate the established institutions to reform and demotivate states to participate in multilateral global governance. Minilateralism will continue to play a large role in global governance. The disadvantages of minilateralism can be mitigated by combining it with the multilateralist mechanism, using a more rigorous approach to the selection of participants, goal setting and the implementation of agreements, and introducing a system of indirect representation.

Reflections for New Inclusivity and Course Correction in Global Governance Mechanisms: Understanding Significance of Global South Perspectives

Reflections for New Inclusivity and Course Correction in Global Governance Mechanisms: Understanding Significance of Global South Perspectives

Weak states, fast transitions? Exploring the role of actors, governance capacity, and tensions in Indian energy politics

There has been a substantial growth in the Sustainability Transitions literature in the last few years. However, most of it has come from, and has analyzed, the Global North with less attention to the Global South countries, where institutions and governance mechanisms are weaker. This paper explores the unfolding of transition dynamics through two case studies from India. It finds that because of weak governance capacity, the role of state is complex and not limited to nurturing niches, the dynamics of political conflict are not confined to niche vs. regime but happen at novel spaces like niche-regime, and the role of non-state actors like judiciary, driven by their own political vision, assumes importance. The study thus argues for more attention to the complex and multi-faceted transition politics in the Global South countries, particularly elaborating upon the role of state and its interaction with non-state actors.

The governmentality of tropical forests and sustainable food systems, and possibilities for post-2020 sustainability governance

ABSTRACT Continued conversion of tropical forests to agriculture risks jeopardising planetary integrity. The UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets to halt deforestation by 2020, alongside other global measures for zero deforestation, were not achieved. Applying a governmentality lens, we aim to better understand global governance mechanisms for tropical forests and sustainable food systems, and identify opportunities to improve them post 2020. We rely on data from global measures, institutions, and interviews with public and private actors working on tropical forest and food policy to undertake a discourse analysis of the (i) SDGs and other global measures on forests and food systems, (ii) contexts of the institutions studied, and (iii) implementation of global measures relating to forests and sustainable food systems. Our analysis reveals six discursive themes: (1) Policy framing of tropical forests – a token effort (2) Deceptive interlinkages, (3) Participation of the usual suspects, (4) Insufficient stakeholder representation, (5) Cleaning up supply chains and, (6) A green recovery. The themes show how the promotion and reproduction of neoliberal values of tropical forests consistently inhibit conservation, negatively impacting on planetary integrity. We identify opportunities to shift towards a new governmentality for informing international efforts on tackling tropical deforestation post-2020.

Digitising biopiracy? The global governance of plant genetic resources in the age of digital sequencing information

Historical concerns over the exploitation of the Global South’s genetic biodiversity framed the importance of creating global governance mechanisms to ensure fair access to and benefit-sharing of genetic resources worldwide. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty) came into existence over the past three decades to redress the centuries of genetic exploitation of the Global South. Both of the treaties explicitly regulate and facilitate the exchange of physical genetic material. The recent emergence of relevant digital technologies, such as digital sequencing information (DSI), could make both treaties irrelevant. This article analyses the current state of the CBD and Plant Treaty as it relates to global agricultural research in light of DSI. I argue that DSI presents less of a threat to exacerbating historical gene flows than it does to the further displacement of public sector research by the private sector. The article then suggests looking at the lessons from open-source approaches to counter the privatisation of DSI and related gene flows. I draw on 11 key informant interviews with country negotiators involved with the CBD and Plant Treaty as well as a review of official reports from both frameworks.

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Global Labor Governance: Organizing, Legal Mobilization and Decolonization

Labor movements around the world have explored various forms of global labor governance mechanisms to hold multinational companies accountable for ensuring workers’ and human rights throughout their supply chains. This article examines H&M’s Global Framework Agreement (H&M GFA) and its implementation in three Asian producing countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, and India to develop some insights on global labor governance. H&M commits to foster trade union and labor rights but is not legally obligated to take steps to actualize those rights. The article contextualizes and signify GFAs importance within international human rights and labor law by referring to business and human rights instruments and by utilizing a social movement perspective. Drawing from three main social movement oriented theoretical disciplines: organizing, legal mobilization and decolonization, this paper evaluates the H&M GFA and GFAs generally. The article pays particular attention to GFAs’ impact on gender because the majority of the workers in the global garment industry are women. In the Asian context, GFAs must be strengthened to be binding on companies to enforce the fundamental labor right to freedom of association, collective bargaining and non-discrimination. They must proactively involve national unions in the negotiation, implementation, and enforcement of the agreement to ensure their full participation and seek their meaningful input on the socio-political context of the producing countries. They must be conceived with a grassroots, multi-layered approach to governance to enable workers from the factory level to the international level to exercise their power and agency to establish labor standards and resolve disputes, form worker-led organizations such as trade unions, and facilitate implementation procedures that are binding on multinational corporations. Further, in the garment industry, the GFAs must proactively address gender related concerns and provide clear avenues for women workers to raise these issues. Notwithstanding these challenges to GFAs, among labor governance strategies within international human rights law, it has the most promise in actualizing labor and human rights.

Global securities: Time for new beginning after COVID 19

Covid-19 has put human civilization at a crossroads and is a global threat more precisely a threat without border that cannot be solved by a nation alone rather it demands a global response to ensure global security. Many countries around the world have begun to vaccinate after COVID-19 vaccines became available in December 2020; aiming to save lives of their respective populations as well as ensuring global security. Presently Covid-19 is shaping the contours of global securities which is moving towards a new form of asymmetric security threats and urges for fresh reflections on the issues of global securities. Global security includes military and diplomatic measures that nations and international organizations take to ensure mutual safety and security and assesses the sources of potential regional conflict; and emerging threats to the global security environment and studies, How a range of different security agents interact, cooperate and compete, to produce new institutions, practices and forms of security governance and global studies. In post -cold war era some Neo –Realist, Pluralist and Social Constructivist in I.R. shifted not only the focus from military to non-military nature of global security threats but also security of State to Human Security and brought appraisal of Realist paradigm of I.R. which focused only on Military Security & Inter State Relations. To make global security more meaningful, there is a need to review the current scope and operation of global security and to identifying new threats with a renewed focus on non-military nature of global security threats. Hence, this chapter aims at understanding the current mechanism of global governance and to analyze the effective safeguards to deal with non-traditional security threats such as pandemics as well as analysis of multilateral mechanisms that facilitate the kind of cooperation that will be needed to mitigate the worst impacts of future global crises.