LESSON 4 POWER TO DIFFUSE NORMS

UNITED NATION AND CONTEMPORARY GLOBAL Norms are accepted codes of conduct that may not be
GOVERNANCE strict laws but produce regularity in behavior. IOs do not only
classify and fix meanings; they also spread their ideas across
the world, thereby stablishing global standards.
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

The management of global affairs in the absence of a UNITED NATION

global government. It involves various actors such as states,
international organizations, and regional groups. Having examined the powers, limitations, and
weaknesses of IOs, the spotlight will now fall on the most
While a single organization might take a lead role on prominent IO in the contemporary world, the United Nations
certain matters, global governance is essentially a (UN).
collaborative process that generates agreements and guidelines
influencing national governments and international
corporations. An example is the World Health Organization's
policies on health issues. After the collapse of the league of nations at the end
of World War II, countries that worried about another global
war began to push for the formation of a more lasting
international league. The result was the creation of the UN.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION Although it is far from perfect, it should be emphasized that it
Refers to groups like the UNITED NATIONS (UN), has so far achieved its primary goal of averting another global
IMF, and World Bank, made up mainly of countries. war. For this reason alone, the UN should be considered a
Previously seen as platforms for discussing state interests, IOs success.
now have their own influence.

For instance, the IMF (INTERNATIONAL FIVE MAIN ORGANS OF UNITED NATIONS
MONETORY FUND) pushed a certain economic approach.
Scholars Barnett and Finnemore outline IO powers in global GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA)
relations.
The main deliberative and policy-making organ of the UN.

STRUCTURES OF GLOBALIZATION
SECURITY COUNCIL
POWER OF CLASSIFICATION
Responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
They can invest, apply categories and create powerful
global standards. Since states are required to accept refugees
entering their borders, this power to establish identity has ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL (ECOSOC)
concrete effects.
Responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

POWER TO CHANGE THE MEANING OF WORDS

SECRETARIAT
This is a more general function that is linked to the
first. Various concepts, such as "security" and "development," Responsible for carrying out the day-to-day work of the UN
must clearly defined. and implementing the decisions of the other organs.

IOs seen as legitimate sources of information for

states, organizations and individuals. They generate an impact
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
on a variety of policies.
The principal judicial organ of the UN.
One example of this is recently, the United Nations
has started to define security as not just safety from military
violence but also in environmental harm.
All member states (currently at 193) have seats in the
GA. The Philippines played a prominent role in GA's early
years when Filipino diplomat Carlos P. Romulo was elected
GA president from 1949-1950.
CHALLENGES FOR THE UNITED NATIONS International organizations are highlighted because
they are the most visible symbols of global governance.
Chief among these are the limits placed upon its various
organs and programs by the need to respect state sovereignty. The UN, in particular is the closest to a world
government. International Institution such as the UN are
 The UN is not a world government, and it functions always in a precarious position.
primarily because of voluntary cooperation from
states. On the other hand, they are group of sovereign states.
 If states refuse to cooperate, the influence of the UN
can be severely circumscribed. They are organizations with their own rationalities
 However, if a government does not welcome the and agenda. Intention that will continue to inform the
rapporteur or imposes limits on his or her actions, this evolution of these organizations.
information-gathering process is unlikely to succeed. Many Institutions, groups, and ideas that hold
international and global politics together.

The United Nations faces significant challenges due to

security issues, as the Security Council is responsible for
sanctioning military intervention. The P5's veto authority
makes it difficult to issue formal resolutions or implement
them.

For example, in the late 1990s, the US sought to intervene

in the Kosovo war due to ethnic cleansing by Serbian leader
Milošević. NATO, led by the US, sought SC authorization, but
China and Russia threatened to veto any action, rendering the
UN ineffective.

Syria's civil war is fueled by Russia's threat to veto

resolutions, and the UN has struggled to stop state-sanctioned
violence. Bashar al-Assad's allyship with Putin weakens his
legitimacy, resulting in over 220,000 deaths and 11 million
displacements

Despite these issues, it is nevertheless crucial for the SC

to set strict restrictions on military intervention. On matters
involving involvement, the UN Security Council has made
mistakes, but it has also taken wise choices.

Saddam Hussein was allegedly in possession of weapons

of mass destruction (WMD) when the United States attempted
to invade Iraq in 2001. Russia, China, and France, who are UN
members, refused to be persuaded and rejected the UN
resolution calling for action. As a result, the United States was
forced to lead a small “coalition of the willing" alongside its
allies. Since it was later determined that there were no WMD,
the invasion of Iraq has resulted in issues for the nation and
the surrounding area that continue to this day.

Since then, there were 37 permanent Security Council

members vetoed resolutions, mostly due to Middle East
volatile situation, with Russia, China, and the US being the
most frequent.

CONCLUSION

Global governance is such a complex issue that one

can actually teach an entire course itself.
latter is political process characterized by economic
policy cooperation and coordination among countries.

LESSON 5 Countries respond to globalization in variety of ways both

A WORLD OF REGIONS economically and politically. Some are large enough and
wealthy enough to be able to decide how they participate in
global integration processes.
GLOBALIZATION China, for instance, offers its cheap labor and large
workforce to entice foreign companies and grow commerce
Has made people aware of the world in general, but it
with countries it once saw as adversaries but now sees them as
has also made Filipinos more cognizant of specific areas such
consumers for its goods (e.g., the United States and Japan).
as Southeast Asia.
Other countries compensate for their limited size by
How, for instance, did the Philippines come to
capitalizing on their advantageous geographic location.
identify itself with the Southeast Asian region? Why is it part
Singapore and Switzerland make up for their lack of resources
of a regional grouping as the Association of Southeast Asian
by becoming financial and banking powerhouses.
Nations (ASEAN)?
Better coordination has also yielded positive results in
academic and intellectual exchanges. While each member
REGIONALISM country continues to support their respective nation
universities, there has also evolved in the last few years a new
Often seen as a political and economic phenomenon, regional perspective: ASEAN Studies
the term actually encompasses a broader area. It can be
examined in relation to identities, ethics, religion, ecological
sustainability, and health.
ASEAN STUDIES
Regionalism is also a process and must be treated as
Fosters the development, acquisition, and sharing of
an "emergent, socially constituted phenomenon. " It means
knowledge about the countries and people of Southeast Asia
that regions are not natural or given; rather, they are
and the ways they relate to each other and to the world.
constructed and defined by policymakers, economic actors,
and even social movements. Member countries have actively promoted this
perspective, and it is gradually displacing "Southeast Asian”
studies which originated in the West. This is a good sign a
STRUCTURE OF GLOBALIZATION Western university have been losing interest in Southeast Asia.

Ecological sustainability, and health. The lesson will With that being said, ASEAN studies a drawback.
conclude by asking where all these regionalisms are bringing Since it is supported by the member countries, it may not be
us as members of a nation and as citizens of the world supportive of studies that are critical of ASEAN and its
members

COUNTRIES REGIONS AND GLOBALIZATION

NON-STATE REGIONALISM
EDWARD D. MANSFIELD AND HELEN V. MILNER
It is not only states that agree to work together in the
States that economic and political definitions of name of a single cause (or c causes). Communities also engage
regions vary, but there are certain geographically specific in regional organization. This "new regionalism" varies in
basic features that everyone can agree on. form:

 “Tiny associations that include no more than a few

actors and focus on a single issue or huge continental
1. First, regions are a group of countries located in the
unions that address a multitude of common problems
same area" or are "an amalgamation of two regions
from territorial defense to food security. "
(or] a combination of more than two regions"
 Organizations representing this "new regionalism"
organized to regulate and "oversee flows and policy
Likewise rely on the power of individuals, non-
choices.
governmental organizations (NGOS), and
associations to link up with one another in pursuit of
2. Second, the words regionalization and regionalism
a particular goal (or goals).
should not be interchanged, as the former refers to the
"regional concentration of economic flows" while the
 “New regionalism” is identified with reformists who key assets. Unfortunately, the majority of them are
share the same values, norms, institutions, and underfunded, putting them at a disadvantage when dealing
systems that exist outside of the traditional, with their government counterparts who have access to large
established mainstream institutions and systems. sums of money. As a result, their influence on global politics is
limited.

Their Strategies and Tactics likewise vary:

Some organizations partner with governments to initiate NEW REGIONALISM

social change.
Differs significantly from traditional stateto-state
Those who work with governments ("legitimizers") regionalism when it comes to identifying problems.
participate in "institutional mechanisms that afford some civil
society groups voice and influence [in] technocratic policy- For example, states treat poverty or environmental
making processes. " degradation as technical or economic issues that can be
resolved by refining existing programs of state agencies,
For example, the ASEAN issued its Human Rights making minor changes in economic policies, and creating new
Declaration in 2009, but the regional body left it to member offices that address these issues.
countries to apply the declaration's principles as they see fit.
Aware that democratic rights are limited in many ASEAN However, proponents of new regionalism, such as the
countries, new regionalism" NGO GLOBAL FORUM, regard these problems as the result
of flawed economic development and environmental models.
They use the term "flawed" to describe economic growth plans
that are market- based, profit-driven, and have little regard for
Left-wing governments support the Hemispheric Social social welfare, particularly among the poor.
Alliance's opposition to the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA), while members of the Mesa de
Articulación de Asociaciones Nacionales y Redes de ONGs
de América Latina y El Caribe (Roundtable of National Another challenge for new regionalists is the discord
Associations and Networks and NGOs in Latin America and that may emerge among them. For example: disagreements
the Caribbean) participate in "forums, summits, and dialogues surface over issues such as gender and breaking from religious
with presidents and ministers. civil the Church, Muslim imams, or governments which
oppose reproductive rights and other pro-women policies.
A group called the CITIZEN DIPLOMACY FORUM
tries to influence the policies and programs of the Moreover, and religion, with pro-choice NGOs
Organization of American States. society groups that side with the civil society groups are able
to dialogue with government latter may not be welcoming to
In Southeast Asia, the organization of ASEAN this new trend and set up one obstacle after another. Migrant
PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS was, in Forum Asia and its ally, the Coordination of Action Research
part, the result of non-government organizations and civil on AIDS (CARAM), lobbied ASEAN governments to defend
society groups pushing to "prevent discrimination, uphold migrant labor rights
political freedom, and promote democracy and human rights
throughout the region.

Other regional organizations dedicate themselves to CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO REGIONALISM

specialized causes. Activists across Central and South America Today, regionalism faces multiple challenges, the most
established the RAINFOREST FOUNDATION to protect serious of which is the RESURGENCE OF MILITANT
indigenous peoples and the rainforests in Brazil, Guyana, NATIONALISM AND POPULISM.
Panama, and Peru.
The refusal to dismantle NATO after the collapse of the
Young Christians across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Soviet Union, for example, has become the basis of the anti-
Americas, and the Caribbean formed REGIONAL NATO rhetoric of Vladimir Putin in Russia. Now, even the
INTERFAITH YOUTH NETWORKS to promote conflict relationship of the United States—the alliance's core member
prevention, resolution, peace education, and sustainable —with NATO has become problematic after Donald Trump
development. demonized the organization as simply leeching off American
The MIGRANT FORUM in Asia is another regional military power without giving anything in return
network of NGOs and trade unions committed to protecting
and promoting the rights and welfare of migrant workers.

The moral standing of these organizations as well as their

capacity to combine lobbying and pressure politics are their
The CONTINUING FINANCIAL CRISIS of the region
is forcing countries such as Greece to consider leaving the
Union to gain more flexibility in their economic policy.

Recently, ASEAN countries also disagreed over how to

relate to China, with the Philippines unable to get the other
countries to support its condemnation of China's occupation of
the West Philippine Sea. Cambodia and Laos led the
opposition, favoring diplomacy over confrontation, but the
real reason was the dramatic increase of Chinese investments
and economic aid to these countries.

PARTCIPATORY REGIONALISM

Helps inter-governmental organizations because it

provides them with a perspective drawn from the grass-roots
of Asian society. This addresses criticisms regarding the
perceived 'democratic deficit' of Asian regional regimes.

In 2021, non-interference has become the norm of

ASEAN. Early that year, the Burmese military's arrest of the
president of the country, AUNG SAN SYU KI, and leaders of
the opposition, had led to massive popular protests in the
cities.

There had been academic and political discussions

outside Myanmar that were critical of the military's action.
Civil society groups in Southeast Asia and elsewhere have also
appealed to their respective governments to pressure the
military to ease up and release those arrested

Finally, there are diverse perspectives on what

regionalism should be used for. Regional organizations may be
viewed by Western countries as agents of political
democratization as well as economic formations. However,
non-Western and developing countries may hold a dissimilar
perspective on globalization, development, and democracy.
For Singapore, China, and Russia, democracy is a barrier to
the implementation and deepening of economic globalization
because continual public scrutiny of economic projects and
protracted debate hinder implementation or result in
ambiguous results. Democracy's tedious procedures must,
therefore, give way to efficiency.

Official regional associations now cover vast swaths

of the world. The population of the countries that joined the
ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COUNCIL (APEC) alone
comprised 37% of the world's population in 2007. These
countries are also part of "smaller" organizations that include
the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization, the North American Free Trade
Agreement, the Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, and the
Union of South American Nations. Even "isolationist" North
Korea is part of the Regional Forum, which discusses security
issues in the region.
Asia, and the Pacific. Missionaries accompanied colonial
expeditions, leading to the conversion of indigenous
populations.

BUDDHISM

SILK ROAD

The Silk Road played a significant role in the spread

LESSON 6 of Buddhism from India to Central Asia, China, and beyond.
Traders, pilgrims, and travelers carried Buddhist ideas and
THE GLOBALIZATION OF RELIGION scriptures along these trade routes.

ROYAL PATRONAGE
GLOBALIZATION OF RELIGION The support of rulers, such as Ashoka in India, facilitated the
spread of Buddhism through the construction of monasteries
Can be understood as a process of realignment in this
and the promotion of Buddhist teachings
global religious situation, a process which involves the
following three facets:

1. It implies the inevitable transformation of individual HINDUISM

religious organizations;
TRADE NETWORKS
2. It can be expected that new characteristics will be produced
in the contents of doctrines, rituals, and practices; and Ancient Indian traders carried Hindu religious beliefs
and cultural practices to various parts of Southeast Asia, such
3. Globalization will be accompanied by changes in the human as Indonesia, Cambodia, and Thailand. This facilitated the
beings supporting religions, particularly in their intellectual spread of Hinduism's influence in these regions.
perspectives.
MIGRATION

Indian communities migrating to different parts of the

WAYS RELIGIONS ARE SPREADING ACROSS world, such as the Caribbean and Africa, brought their Hindu
GEOGRAPHIC AND CULTURAL BOUNDARIES religious practices with them, contributing to the global spread
of the religion.
 Technological Advancements
 Mass Media
 Migration and Diaspora
 Global Travel and Tourism ISLAM
 Interfaith Dialogue and Collaboration TRADE ROUTES
 Educational Institutions
 Humanitarian and Social Initiatives Islamic merchants and traders facilitated the spread
 Transnational Networks of Islam along the trade routes of the Arabian Peninsula,
 Cultural Adaptation and Hybridization Africa, and Central Asia. The interactions between Muslim
 Global Events and Festivals traders and local populations led to the dissemination of
Islamic ideas.

COLONIZATION
CHRISTIANITY
Islamic empires, like the Ottoman Empire, spread
ROMAN ROADS Islam through conquest and colonization. Islamic missionaries,
The Roman Empire's extensive road network known as Sufis, also played a role in the conversion of local
facilitated the spread of Christianity throughout the empire. populations.
Missionaries traveled along these roads, spreading Christian
teachings and establishing churches.
JUDAISM
COLONIALISM
DIASPORA
European colonial powers, during the Age of
Exploration, brought Christianity to the Americas, Africa,
The Jewish diaspora, resulting from events like the Introduced the concept of McDonaldization in his
Babylonian exile and later historical periods, led to Jewish book “The McDonaldization of Society."
communities settling in different parts of the world. Migration
and trade among these communities contributed to the spread It refers to the process through which principles of
of Jewish religious practices. the fast-food industry, such as efficiency, calculability,
predictability, and control, are applied to various aspects of
society, resulting in standardization, uniformity, and the
commodification of experiences.
CONFUCIANISM
This concept can also be applied to religion, where
CULTURAL EXCHANGE traditional religious practices and rituals are transformed into
Confucianism spread to neighboring regions like standardized and commercialized commodities, often resulting
Korea, Japan, and Vietnam through cultural interactions and in changes to the nature of religious experiences and
exchanges. Chinese migrants and scholars brought Confucian expressions.
ideas with them as they traveled and settled in these regions. PRINCIPLES OF THE FAST-FOOD INDUSTRY

EFFICIENCY
TAOISM In the context of McDonaldization, it refers to the
CULTURAL INFLUENCE emphasis on minimizing time and effort required to achieve a
specific outcome. In religion, this can manifest in streamlined
Taoism spread from its birthplace in China to regions rituals and practices.
like Korea and Japan through cultural exchanges, trade, and
migration. Taoist concepts influenced East Asian philosophies Example: Online platforms and apps that provide daily
and practices. devotionals, allowing individuals to engage in brief spiritual
practices without the need for attending physical gatherings.

WORLD RELIGIONS CALCULABILITY

CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND SYNCRETISM Involves the emphasis on quantifiable measures such
Cultural exchange happens when different groups of as portion size, cost, or time. In religion, calculability can lead
people with their own beliefs and practices meet and share to a focus on easily measurable aspects of faith.
ideas. When this happens, sometimes they combine their Example: Mega-churches or large religious events that
beliefs and practices to create something new. This blending of emphasize attendance and financial contributions as markers
different cultural and religious ideas is called syncretism. of spiritual commitment.
Example:

Imagine people from two different cultures meet. One group PREDICTABILITY
believes in a certain god, and the other group believes in a
Refers to making experiences and outcomes uniform
different god. Through talking and learning from each other,
and consistent. In religion, predictability can lead to
they might start to see similarities in their beliefs and decide to
standardized practices.
worship a new god that combines aspects of both. This new
way of worship would be a syncretic religious practice. Example: Traditional religious holidays celebrated in the same
In the modern world, because of travel, way each year, with standardized rituals and practices.
communication, and globalization, cultures from all over the
world are interacting more than ever before. This has led to the CONTROL
rise of new syncretic religions or practices. It involves the regulation and standardization of
We have a number of notable examples of this in our processes to ensure a desired outcome. In religion, control can
world–the Rastafarians, Vodou, Candomble, Santeria, result in regulated experiences.
Gnosticism, the Unification Church, and various others. Example: Religious organizations producing guidelines or
manuals for conducting rituals to ensure consistency across
different locations and communities.
CASE STUDY 1: MCDONALDIZATION OF RELIGION

GEORGE RITZER
CASE STUDY 2: YOGA AND SPIRITUALITY
Yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India, has  Learning from Each Other
gained immense popularity worldwide for its physical, mental,  Bringing Peace
and spiritual benefits. Its global reach transcends cultural and  Working Together for Good
religious boundaries, making it a unifying force that resonates  Making Friends Around the World
with people from diverse backgrounds. While yoga's physical
postures are well-known, its spiritual aspects have also been
adapted and integrated into various cultures around the world. RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM AND GLOBALIZATION

Yoga's popularity can be attributed to several factors: In an era characterized by unprecedented connectivity
Health and Wellness, Accessible Practice, Media Exposure, and cultural exchange, globalization has undoubtedly
and Celebrity Endorsements transformed the world into a closely-knit global village.

Yet, alongside its many positive aspects, globalization

has also facilitated the swift dissemination of ideas, including
TRANSCENDING CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS those that promote religious extremism and radicalization.
BOUNDARIES This convergence of religious ideologies with the forces of
globalization has given rise to a darker aspect of this
HOLISTIC PHILOSOPHY phenomenon, demanding thorough examination and proactive
Yoga's teachings encompass a holistic approach to countermeasures.
life, addressing physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. Religious extremism can sometimes be fueled by
This universality makes it relevant to people of various perceptions of cultural and religious identity being threatened
cultural backgrounds. by the processes of globalization. As different cultures and
ideas come into contact, some individuals or groups may react
by becoming more rigid in their beliefs, leading to extremist
NON-DOGMATIC APPROACH actions.
Yoga does not impose specific religious beliefs or However, it's important to note that not all instances
rituals, allowing practitioners to integrate it with their existing of religious extremism can be attributed solely to
spiritual or religious practices. globalization; there are often complex social, political, and
historical factors at play as well.

FOCUS ON PERSONAL GROWTH

THE DARKER SIDE OF RELIGIOUS
Yoga's emphasis on self-awareness, mindfulness, and
GLOBALIZATION
inner exploration resonates with individuals seeking personal
growth and fulfillment, regardless of their cultural or religious SWIFT PROPAGATION OF EXTREMIST
affiliations. IDEOLOGIES

The rapid exchange of information and ideas enabled

by modern technology has amplified the reach of extremist
CHALLENGES AND CRITICISMS THAT ARISE FROM
ideologies. This has led to the rapid radicalization of
THE GLOBALIZATION OF RELIGION
individuals who might otherwise have remained isolated from
 Cultural Appropriation extremist influences.
 Conflict and Intolerance
 Loss of Cultural Uniqueness
 Failure of Hybridity CROSS-BORDER RECRUITMENT AND INSPIRATION
 Consumerism and Commercialization Globalization has facilitated the cross-border
 Erosion of Local Values recruitment of individuals into extremist groups. Online
 Loss of Connection with Nature and Traditional Practices recruitment efforts and propaganda campaigns transcend
 Dependency on External Institutions geographic boundaries, drawing vulnerable individuals from
 Ethical Concerns diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
 Colonial Legacy and Imposition
CULTURAL CLASH AND IDENTITY CRISIS

Religious extremism can exploit this vulnerability,

BENEFITS OF RELIGIOUS GLOBALIZATION providing a simplistic solution to complex problems by
 Better Understanding Between Faiths offering a strict and uncompromising framework for identity
 Helping People Everywhere and purpose. Extremist groups promise a return to a "purer"
form of the faith, often advocating for violent means to
achieve their goals.

WEAPONIZATION OF GLOBAL ISSUES

Extremist groups adeptly exploit global issues such

as political conflicts, economic disparities, and social
injustices to further their agendas. By framing these problems
within a religious context, they seek to garner support from
marginalized populations who feel that their faith is under
attack or that their grievances can only be addressed through
radical actions.