Introduction to Global Governance from edX

Many of the most pressing challenges we are experiencing today are global. Consider climate change, supply chains, or cybersecurity for example – these challenges, like many others, don’t stop or start at the borders of any particular country.

Dealing with global challenges such as these is often complicated and involves a great number of different actors and approaches – we use the concept of global governance to describe the collective activities taking place to manage these challenges.

While the concept of global governance can be difficult to grasp due to the plurality of actors and processes involved, this MOOC will help you gain a full understanding of this phenomenon as well as see how it works in practice.

Throughout the MOOC, you will uncover the key actors engaged in global governance from national governments and regional organizations like the European Union to private actors such as businesses and citizens.

Along the way, you will also learn how approaches to global governance have shifted in recent years as traditional, international law models have given way to a variety of bottom-up and informal processes.

Then you will see how these concepts and ideas apply in real governance contexts such as the governance of global pandemics, sustainable trade, outer space, and human rights.

Finally, you will also learn how global governance is analyzed and theorized, exploring the distinction between “hard” and “soft” law or the concepts of regime architecture and complexity.

Whether you are interested in understanding or solving global problems as a policymaker, a business entrepreneur, or a citizen – this MOOC will provide the necessary foundation for understanding, analyzing and identifying how global governance shapes the world.

Funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union. Grant agreement number 822654.

What you'll learn

Learn what ‘global governance’ means, and how it tackles global challenges and pursues a global agenda, such as the Sustainable Development Goals
Discover the key actors engaged in global governance, including formal and informal intergovernmental international organizations, regional organizations, businesses, citizens and multistakeholder initiatives
Become acquainted with various tools and approaches of global governance, including hard and soft law, regulatory standards, and voluntary commitments
Understand how global governance is evolving as international organizations face new challenges and informal international lawmaking becomes commonplace
Gain insight into how global governance works in practice with a specific focus on global health crises such as Covid-19, sustainable development, space governance and other governance challenges
Learn how to analyze and assess global governance through key theoretical concepts such as regime complexity

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn what ‘global governance’ means, and how it tackles global challenges and pursues a global agenda, such as the sustainable development goals
Discover the key actors engaged in global governance, including formal and informal intergovernmental international organizations, regional organizations, businesses, citizens and multistakeholder initiatives
Become acquainted with various tools and approaches of global governance, including hard and soft law, regulatory standards, and voluntary commitments

Understand how global governance is evolving as international organizations face new challenges and informal international lawmaking becomes commonplace
Gain insight into how global governance works in practice with a specific focus on global health crises such as covid-19, sustainable development, space governance and other governance challenges
Learn how to analyze and assess global governance through key theoretical concepts such as regime complexity

Learn what ‘global governance’ means, and how it tackles global challenges and pursues a global agenda, such as the sustainable development goals
Discover the key actors engaged in global governance, including formal and informal intergovernmental international organizations, regional organizations, businesses, citizens and multistakeholder initiatives
Become acquainted with various tools and approaches of global governance, including hard and soft law, regulatory standards, and voluntary commitments
Understand how global governance is evolving as international organizations face new challenges and informal international lawmaking becomes commonplace
Gain insight into how global governance works in practice with a specific focus on global health crises such as covid-19, sustainable development, space governance and other governance challenges
Learn how to analyze and assess global governance through key theoretical concepts such as regime complexity

Syllabus

Module 1: Why do we need Global Governance?

Understand what global governance is, how it tackles key global challenges, how it has evolved over time, and the role of international organizations in global governance.

Module 2: International Organizations

Gain knowledge about what international organizations are and the evolution towards informal international lawmaking. Understand why states engage in informal lawmaking and the reasons behind this shift.

Module 3: Regional Organizations and Regulatory Standards

Understand the role of regional organizations in global governance. In particular, gain in-depth insight into how regional organizations such as the EU can promote the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and how they set and impose regulatory standards more generally.

Module 4: Non-State Actors in Global Governance

Explore the role of different non-state actors in global governance. Notably, understand the roles that businesses, multi-stakeholder initiatives such as voluntary sustainability standards, and citizens have to play in global governance.

Module 5: Global Governance in Action

Gain in-depth knowledge on how global governance structures manage specific regimes such as sustainable trade, space, human rights and health, e.g. the Covid-19 pandemic.

Module 6: Understanding and Analyzing Global Governance

Understand how global governance can be analyzed. Delve into aspects such as the distinction between hard and soft law, the complexity and architecture of governance regimes, and the interactions between actors within the regime.

Module 7: Final exam

Test your newly acquired knowledge on global governance in a final exam, comprising of a quiz and a short essay.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces different tools and approaches in global governance, which is beneficial for those seeking a broad understanding of governance methods

Focuses on the roles of different state and non-state actors, offering a nuanced perspective on global governance

Provides a comprehensive overview of global governance, which is suitable for individuals with diverse interests in the topic

Taught by a team of experts in global governance, fostering credibility and offering a diverse range of viewpoints

Examines contemporary challenges in global governance, keeping learners abreast of evolving issues in the field

May require a basic understanding of international relations or political science, which could be a barrier for some learners

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Global Governance with these activities:

Review concepts of globalization

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Refreshing your understanding of the concept of globalization will allow you to grasp complex ideas and prepare you for this course.

Browse courses on Globalization

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Review notes and textbooks from previous courses on globalization
Read articles and research papers on the recent developments in globalization

Review international relations

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Review key concepts and theories in international relations to strengthen your foundation for this course.

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Review key terms and concepts (e.g., sovereignty, national interest, power)
Examine historical and contemporary examples of international relations
Consider different theoretical perspectives on international relations (e.g., realism, liberalism, constructivism)

Follow tutorials on global governance tools and approaches

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Explore online tutorials and resources to enhance your understanding of global governance tools and approaches.

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Identify reputable sources for tutorials and resources
Follow tutorials on topics such as international law, negotiations, and stakeholder engagement
Practice using the tools and approaches in simulated or real-world situations

Three other activities

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Analyze case studies

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Practice applying course concepts by analyzing real-world case studies of global governance challenges.

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Identify the key actors, issues, and challenges in the case study
Analyze the different perspectives and interests of the actors involved
Discuss potential solutions and evaluate their feasibility

Attend a conference on global governance

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Attend a conference to connect with experts, learn about current research, and gain insights into pressing global challenges.

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Research and identify relevant conferences
Attend sessions and engage in discussions
Network with other attendees and exchange ideas

Contribute to an open-source project related to global governance

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Contribute to open-source projects to gain practical experience in global governance and collaborate with others.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open-source projects related to global governance (e.g., policy analysis, data visualization, stakeholder engagement)
Contribute code, documentation, or other resources to the project
Engage with the project community and learn from others

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Global Governance will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Diplomat

Diplomats represent their countries in foreign relations. They negotiate agreements, promote their country's interests, and work to resolve international disputes. This course would be helpful for diplomats, as it would give them a better understanding of the global challenges that their country faces and the role that global governance plays in addressing these challenges.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diplomat

International Relations Analyst

International relations analysts study and analyze global political, economic, and security issues. They provide their insights to governments, businesses, and other organizations to help them make informed decisions about foreign policy. This course would be helpful for international relations analysts, as it would give them a better understanding of the key concepts and theories of global governance.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Relations Analyst

International Development Specialist

International development specialists work to improve the lives of people in developing countries. They design and implement programs that focus on issues such as poverty reduction, education, and health. This course would be helpful for international development specialists, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in promoting sustainable development.

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Global Health Specialist

Global health specialists work to improve the health of people around the world. They develop and implement programs that focus on issues such as disease prevention, nutrition, and access to healthcare. This course would be helpful for global health specialists, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in promoting global health.

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Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability consultants help organizations to improve their environmental and social performance. They develop and implement strategies that focus on issues such as climate change, resource efficiency, and social responsibility. This course would be helpful for sustainability consultants, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in promoting sustainable development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Human Rights Lawyer

Human rights lawyers work to protect and promote human rights around the world. They represent victims of human rights violations, advocate for policy changes, and work to raise awareness of human rights issues. This course would be helpful for human rights lawyers, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in promoting and protecting human rights.

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Policy Advisor

Policy advisors provide advice to governments and other organizations on public policy issues. They research and analyze policy options, and make recommendations on how to best achieve policy goals. This course would be helpful for policy advisors, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in shaping public policy.

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Journalist

Journalists report on and analyze current events. They investigate stories, interview sources, and write articles or create broadcasts that inform the public about important issues. This course would be helpful for journalists, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in shaping the world.

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Academic

Academics teach and conduct research at universities and other research institutions. They specialize in a particular field of study and contribute to the body of knowledge in that field. This course would be helpful for academics who specialize in global governance, as it would provide them with a deeper understanding of the key concepts and theories in the field.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts help businesses to improve their performance. They analyze business processes, identify problems, and develop solutions. This course would be helpful for business analysts who work in global companies, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in shaping the global economy.

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Project Manager

Project managers lead and manage projects. They plan, execute, and close projects, and ensure that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This course would be helpful for project managers who work on global projects, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in shaping the global project landscape.

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Sales Manager

Sales managers lead and manage sales teams. They develop and implement sales strategies, and motivate and support their teams to achieve sales targets. This course may be useful for sales managers who work in global companies, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in shaping the global economy.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing managers lead and manage marketing teams. They develop and implement marketing strategies, and oversee the marketing budget. This course may be useful for marketing managers who work in global companies, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in shaping the global economy.

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Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers lead and manage human resources teams. They develop and implement HR policies and procedures, and oversee the recruitment, training, and development of employees. This course may be useful for human resources managers who work in global companies, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in shaping the global economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts analyze financial data and make recommendations on investment decisions. This course may be useful for financial analysts who work in global companies, as it would give them a better understanding of the role that global governance plays in shaping the global economy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst