GV306      Half Unit
Global Public Policy

This information is for the 2019/20 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Mathias Koenig-Archibugi

Availability

This course is available on the BSc in Government, BSc in Government and Economics, BSc in Government and History, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics and History, BSc in Politics and International Relations and BSc in Politics and Philosophy. This course is not available as an outside option nor to General Course students.

This course is capped at 1 group. The deadline for enrolments is 12:00 noon on Friday 4 October 2019.

Pre-requisites

N/A

Course content

The course examines the process and outcomes of policy-making at the global level. It considers a range of modes of policy-making, from classic intergovernmental cooperation to novel forms of governance beyond the state such as transgovernmental networks, multistakeholder initiatives, and regulation by non-state actors. The lectures provide an analytical toolbox and cover the following topics: 1. What are “global”, “public” and “policy”? Does global public policy exist? 2. How to assess the performance of global public policy: output criteria. 3. How to assess the performance of global public policy: input and throughput criteria. 4. Who are the targets of global public policy and what are their interests? 5. How are global “problems” framed and interpreted, and how does this affect their solution? 6. Which types and combinations of actors develop global public policies and how does it matter? 7. Do the delegation of authority and the legalization of global public policy affect its outcomes? 8. What role does deliberation and experimentation play in global policy initiatives? 9. What are the consequences of fragmentation and competition in the overall architecture of global public policy? 10. What are the prospects for building a global polity? The seminars apply the analytical tools provided in the lectures and readings to case studies. Students can choose an area of specialization from a range of global policy issues, with a focus on those addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. Examples of policy areas covered in the course are environmental governance, with a focus on the protection of forests; global health governance, with a focus on tackling communicable diseases; the promotion of workers' rights in the global economy; the elimination of gender-based discrimination and violence; and the fight against tax avoidance and illicit financial flows.

Teaching

10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT. 1 hour of lectures and 1 hour and 30 minutes of seminars in the ST.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT.

Indicative reading

Koenig-Archibugi, M. (2002) ‘Mapping Global Governance’, in D. Held and A. McGrew (eds) Governing Globalisation. Cambridge: Polity Press. Koenig-Archibugi, M. (2010) Understanding the Global Dimensions of Policy, Global Policy, Vol. 1(1): 16-28. Koenig-Archibugi, M. and M. Zurn, eds (2006) New Modes of Governance in the Global System. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Hale, T. and D. Held, eds (2011) Handbook of Transnational Governance. Cambridge: Polity. Peinhardt, C. and Sandler, T. (2015) Transnational Cooperation: An Issue-Based Approach. Oxford University Press. Reinicke, W. (1998) Global Public Policy. Washington DC: Brookings Institution. A.-M. Slaugher (2004) A New World Order. Princeton University Press. Braithwaite J. and P. Drahos (2000) Global Business Regulation. Cambridge University Press. Hale, T., D. Held and K. Young (2013) Gridlock: Why Global Cooperation Is Failing When We Need It Most. Cambridge: Polity.

Assessment

Essay (100%, 4000 words) in the LT.

Key facts

Department: Government

Total students 2018/19: 14

Average class size 2018/19: 14

Capped 2018/19: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication