Vladislav Kravtsov, University of Delaware, USA
Maria Nzomo, University of Nairobi, Kenya

The course is organized around one of the late-twentieth century’s most challenging intellectual and practical puzzles—a puzzle that challenges the core of the interstate legal order's foundations in state sovereignty. Individuals and groups acting in the name of states and intergovernmental organizations have generally found the policy mechanisms under their control to be insufficient for responding effectively to war (internal and interstate), poverty, malnutrition, pandemic diseases, environmental degradation, resource depletion, and the multitude of other threats to human security. For their part, civic-based actors seldom possess sufficient resources, authority, or the requisite capacity for launching successful large-scale independent policy initiatives and therefore exert only meager influence on global developments. Yet building and sustaining cooperation between public and civic-based entities has proved to be an elusive objective. The course analyzes the problem of how to overcome the constraints of sovereignty in international institutions in order to create effective partnerships with civil society and the private sector that are needed to promote democratic governance and sustainable human security.

In the context of this puzzle, the course analyzes the nature and evolution of processes of globalization and global governance as they relate to the promotion of human security. By global governance, we mean those procedures and practices that exist at the world (or regional) level for the management of political, economic, and social affairs. "Governance" is distinguishable from "government" and can occur with or without governmental apparatus. Thus the act of governance can and does take place at different locales and levels. This course examines governance processes holistically with particular emphasis placed on transnational governance relationships. It explores the numerous factors, forces, and tensions that have given rise to and underpin contemporary global governance processes and structures and that link those processes to the promotion of human security in micro [that is, local] settings.

The course will be conducted as a mixed "in-residence"/distance learning (DL) course. The first two weeks, June 30 – July 13, will be conducted in a distance learning format over the Internet via email. During this period, the method of teaching will involve interactive one-on-one and group sessions involving structured exercises, designed to prepare the participants for the in-residence portion of the course and designing research concept papers. The final two weeks, July 14 – 25, will be held "in residence" at CEU in Budapest. The "in-residence" portion will involve a mixed format, including lectures, discussion groups, a book review, a research concept paper; two Internet workshops, and panel discussions. Each participant will be assigned a faculty mentor with whom to work during the term. Approximately 20 percent of the class time will be comprised by class lectures, 40 percent in seminar discussions over readings, 20 percent in workshops sessions devoted to research related topics, 20 percent in workshops related to teaching and other professional concerns.

This course is designed to enhance the professional development of young scholars who are actively engaged in research, teaching, and/or fieldwork in international affairs and are interested in how to create and manage partnerships with diverse elements of society for promoting and sustaining democratic governance and human development and security. It will offer participants an in-depth analysis of the forces that affect and challenges that confront global governance in the twenty-first century and various steps that might be taken to enhance the effectiveness of international institutions in responding to those challenges. The course proposed here is designed specifically for young Ph.D. and advanced doctoral students who possess a basic knowledge about international relations and/or multilateral affairs.

The course is organized around five interrelated components. The first part addresses the questions "what is globalization, what is governance, and how are the two related?" In that general context, we explore alternative ways of conceiving of Globalization and its impacts and implications for governance and promoting human security. We probe the processes and structures of globalization and the forces and tensions underpinning them. An important focus of our discussions is the relationship between globalization processes and global governance and the implications for creating and maintaining democratic open societies at the local and national levels. Participants will also seek to identify the constellation of factors and forces that have conditioned the evolution of contemporary global governance processes and structures. Particular attention is focused on the rise to predominance of liberal ideas, constitutive principles, and normative structures that underpin contemporary global governance. Class readings and discussions explore the nature and implications of the dialectic between liberalism and other competing systems of thought.

The second part of the course identifies and examines alternative conceptualizations of world order and disorder. We focus on evolving responses to globalization with special emphasis placed on anti-globalization movements and forces such as terrorism. In this context, we explore the nature of anti-globalization forces and movements and of the benefits and costs of globalization as perceived by different agents and affected groups. Also, participants will be asked to discuss and analyze the role of values, ethics, and morality in governance and collective response to the forces of globalization.

Next, we explore the historical evolution and underpinnings of contemporary international organization and international institutions. The evolution of both state-centered and non-state centered governance structures and the foundations of contemporary world order are examined. In this context, specific emphasis is placed on alternative conceptualizations of international systems of governance. Traditional approaches to multilateralism and global governance have been predominantly hierarchical, concentrating on great power relationships. Such a top-down approach, however, obscures important aspects of dominant-subdominant relationships at the international level and reifies and promotes certain ideas and constitutive principles held by the most powerful participants. In recent years, however, an increasing body of literature has emerged, which challenges such a traditional orientation. These new approaches to multilateralism and global governance will be analyzed, as they relate to the intellectual puzzle being explored.

We then shift to regional and local governance issues and examine the evolving meanings of security in different cultural contexts. Readings and discussions will focus on evolving trends in regionalism in the context of processes of globalization. We explore the foundations of human security and insecurity and the relationship among human needs, values, and interests as they relate to promoting human security in specific regional and cultural settings, including Latin America; Sub-Saharan Africa; North Africa, Western Asia, and the Middle East; East, South and Southeast Asia; and transitional societies.

Finally, we will critically analyze the role and effectiveness of international institutions for promoting human security. Participants will review and evaluate the contributions of the UNDP, international financial institutions, and other international agencies to social and economic development worldwide. In this context, we explore the nature and evolution of the United Nation’s engagement with nongovernmental organizations and other diverse elements of civil society for promoting sustainable human development and democratization. In conclusion, we probe the nature, plausibility, and possibility of reforms in international institutions that would be required to bring civil society more fully and effectively into global policy processes.

This special course is a component of a much larger transnational research and professional development program for young scholars in the social sciences and humanities—a project titled "Creating Effective Partnerships for Sustainable Human Security." This United Nations University (UNU) project, coordinated by Dr. Roger Coate and the Walker Institute of International Studies at the University of South Carolina, is being undertaken in partnership with the CEU, the Office of the United Nations Secretary-General, the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS), the International Studies Association (ISA), and numerous other academic institutions and professional associations. The core mission of the course proposed here and the associated SUN 2003 course, titled "The UN, EU and Governance in a Globalizing World," as well as that of the larger project, is the professional development of young scholars and professionals from emerging democracies worldwide.

Emphasis is placed on establishing self-sustaining interdisciplinary research and teaching networks among scholars from different nationalities, cultures, professions, and disciplines. An important goal of the course (and project) is to enhance young scholars’ substantive knowledge and theoretical understanding of processes of global governance, especially as related to building and sustaining effective partnerships between international institutions and civil society for promoting human security. Other important goals include: facilitating young scholars’ access to and engagement with global and regional academic and professional communities, UN agencies and staff, and transnational internet-based research networks; facilitating access for young scholars in remote locations to information, resources, and institutional arenas related to their research needs and interests; facilitating exchange and cross fertilization among scholars and practitioners of multilateralism from around the world; enhancing the training of young scholars from regions with emergent or re-emergent civil societies in the design and conduct of research through an ongoing series of workshops and seminars of which this special five-week course would be a part; establishing mentorship relations, linking young scholars with their more senior colleagues around the world. The larger project would also provide opportunities for young scholars to gain "hands-on" experience in the work of UN agencies through a program of fellowships as well as through direct involvement in ongoing research activities in UN agencies. Priority is placed on creating transnational research networks among the participants so as to ensure that the learning process transcends the course and workshop settings and is sustained on an ongoing and ever-evolving basis.

Session 1: Introduction and Logistics -- Coate

Introduction of resource persons and participants to each other and to the nature and format of the course.

Session 2: Globalization and Governance 1 -- Shaw

Lecture and general discussion about alternative ways of conceiving of Globalization and its impacts and implications for governance and promoting human security.

Reading: Ankie Hoogvelt, "Globalization," in Globalization and the Postcolonial World, (Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)

Session 3: Globalization and Governance Roundtable Panel – Shaw, Coate, Kravtsov

Panel discussion about alternative ways of conceiving of globalization and its impacts and implications for governance and promoting human security.

Reading: Ankie Hoogvelt, "Globalization," in Globalization and the Postcolonial World, (Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)

Welcome Reception

Session 4: Globalizations – Shaw

Lecture and discussion about the processes and structures of globalization[s] and the forces and tensions underpinning them.

Reading: Ankie Hoogvelt, "From Expansion to Involution," in Globalization and the Postcolonial World, (Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)

Session 5: Conceptualizing World Order and Disorder – Coate and Kravtsov

Seminar discussion probing alternative conceptualizations of world order and disorder.

Reading: Ankie Hoogvelt, "Neo-colonialism, Modernisation and Dependency," in Globalization and the Postcolonial World, (Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)

Session 6: Workshop: Designing a Research Program -- Coate

Structured exercise in how to design and carry out a coherent and cohesive research program

Session 7: Forum Session – Kravtsov

Session 8: Anti-globalizations -- Shaw

Lecture and discussion of anti-globalization forces and movements and of the benefits and costs of globalization as perceived by different agents and affected groups.

Reading: Helmut Anheier, Marlies Glasius, Mary Kaldor (eds), Global Civil Society 2001 (Oxford University Press, 2001), pp. 51-78.

Session 9: Values, Ethics, Morality and Human Security -- Coate

Seminar discussion of the role of values, ethics, and morality in governance and collective response to the forces of globalization

Reading: Helmut Anheier, Marlies Glasius, Mary Kaldor (eds), Global Civil Society 2001 (Oxford University Press, 2001), pp. 79-108.

Session 10: Workshop: Establishing Research Groups and Networks -- Kravtsov

This session will be a devoted to an open exchange of participants’ intellectual interests and assisting participants to self-select into small groups according to their research and teaching interests

 

Session 11: The Evolution of Global Governance -- Coate

Lecture and discussion of the evolution of governance structures in world politics and the foundations of contemporary world order

Reading: Ankie Hoogvelt, "Flexibility and Informationalism," in Globalization and the Postcolonial World (Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)

Session 12: Multilateralism and Governance in the 20^th Century -- Coate

Lecture exploring the historical evolution and underpinnings of contemporary international organization

Reading: Ankie Hoogvelt, "Global Governance: Regulation and Imperialism," in Globalization and the Postcolonial World, (Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)

Session 13: Workshop: Global Governance Case Study -- Kravtsov and Coate

Case method session exploring the roles of leadership and followership in creating and maintaining international regimes and other global governance processes and structures.

TBA

Session 14: Forum Session -- Kravtsov

Session 15: National Security, Global Security and Human Security – Kravtsov

Seminar examining the evolving meanings of security in different cultural contexts.

Reading: Helmut Anheier, Marlies Glasius, Mary Kaldor (eds), Global Civil Society 2001 (Oxford University Press, 2001), pp. 109-146.; Donald Puchala, "Human Security," World Encyclopedia of Peace, Second Edition, Vol. II (New York: Oceana Publishers, Inc., 1999), pp. 456-558.

Session 16: Human Needs, Human rights and Human Security -- Coate

Lecture and discussion exploring the foundations of human security in the satisfaction of fundamental human needs and the relationship among human needs, values, and interests as they relate to promoting human security.

Reading: UNDP, Human Development Report 2000, pp. 19-28.

Session 17: Workshop: Justification of Book Reviews -- Shaw, Coate, Kravtsov

Interactive exchange among resource persons and participants in which participants must justify their selection of books to review for the course.

 

Session 18: Security and Insecurity in Latin America – Coate

Seminar discussion of critical issues for promoting sustainable human security in Latin America

Reading: Ankie Hoogvelt, "Democracy, Civil Society and Postdevelopment in Latin America," in Globalization and the Postcolonial World, (Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)

Session 19: Security and Insecurity in Africa and Asia -- Shaw and Nzomo

Seminar discussion of critical issues for promoting sustainable human security in Africa and Asia

Reading: Ankie Hoogvelt, "The Developmental States of East Asia" and "Africa: Exclusion and the Containment of Anarchy," in Globalization and the Postcolonial World, (Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)

Session 20: Workshop: The Internet as a Research Tool -- Coate

Interactive exercise exploring various strategies and techniques for using the Internet as a tool for conducting social science and policy research – Computer Lab 1

Session 21: Forum Session -- Kravtsov

Session 22: Security and Insecurity in Africa and Asia -- Shaw and Nzomo

Seminar discussion of critical issues for promoting sustainable human security in Africa and Asia

Reading: Ankie Hoogvelt, "The Developmental States of East Asia" and "Africa: Exclusion and the Containment of Anarchy," in Globalization and the Postcolonial World, (Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)

Session 23: Security and Insecurity in Western Asia and the Middle East – Shaw

and Nzomo

Seminar discussion of critical issues for promoting sustainable human security in Western Asia and the Middle East.

Reading: Ankie Hoogvelt, "Islamic Revolt," in Globalization and the Postcolonial World, (Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 2001)

Session 24: Workshop: Development, Democratization, and Security Roundtable

Shaw, Nzomo, Kravtsov; moderated by Coate

Panel discussion on differing regional perspectives on Development, Democratization, and Security, moderated by Coate

Session 25: Forum Session -- Kravtsov

Session 26. Democratization, Transition, and Human Security -- Kravtsov

Lecture and general discussion of the forces and tensions underlying attempts to foster democratization and liberalization in transitional societies

Reading: Mihaly Simai, The Age of global Transformations: the Human Dimension (Budapest: Akademiai Kiado, 2001), pp. 103-144.

Session 27: Making Development and Security Sustainable -- Shaw, Coate, Nzomo

Seminar discussion of alternative philosophies and strategies for promoting sustainable human development and security

Session 28: Workshop: Development, Democratization, and Security

Nzomo, Kravtsov, and selected class participants

Panel discussion on differing regional perspectives on Development, Democratization, and Security, moderated by Coate

Session 29: Forum Session -- Kravtsov

Session 30: Pioneering Human Development: The UNDP at Work -- Coate

Lecture and discussion reviewing and evaluating the contributions of the UNDP and other international institutions to social and economic development worldwide.

Reading: UNDP, Human Development Report 2001, pp.9-27.

Session 31: The World Bank, IMF, WTO, UN and Human Security -- Coate

Lecture and general discussion of the role of international financial institutions in managing economic globalization. Consideration of both positive and negative effects of global "management."

Reading: Helmut Anheier, Marlies Glasius, Mary Kaldor (eds), Global Civil Society 2001 (Oxford University Press, 2001), pp. 195-220.

Session 32: Workshop: Internet as a Grant-seeking Tool -- Coate

Interactive exercise exploring various strategies and techniques for using the Internet as a tool for seeking external funding for social science and policy research – Computer Lab 1

 

Session 33: The UN and Civil Society Partnerships – Coate and Kravtsov

Seminar exploring and evaluating the nature and evolution of the United Nation’s engagement with nongovernmental organizations and other diverse elements of civil society for promoting sustainable human development.

Reading: The Guiding Hand: Brokering Partnerships for Sustainable Development, (United Nations 2000-01).

Session 34: The UN and Private Sector Partnerships – Coate and Kravtsov

Seminar exploring and evaluating the nature and evolution of the United Nation’s "Global Compact" initiative to engage private sector enterprises and associations in a constructive partnership for promoting sustainable human development.

Reading: Kofi Annan, "The Quiet Revolution," Global Governance 4, no.2 (April-June 1998), pp. 123-138.

Course evaluation

Dinner and awards ceremony