Unit 3
Power, Ideas, Politics, and Legal Norms

Overview

This section provides a general overview of the various actors that have influenced the development of international law and global governance in the contemporary world. It examines the respective roles of states, international institutions, economic interests, GSMs, and ideas in the process of creating and sustaining law and governance. This section is intended to provide an understanding of the different actors and forces that are involved in the creation of international law and global governance mechanisms. It provides useful general background for the examination of specific issues in the next three sections.

Learning Objectives

When you have completed Unit 3, you should be able to achieve the following learning objectives:

1. Identify the sources of state power
2. Explain how states seek to influence international law and why they comply with it
3. Explain how weaker states seek to influence the development of international law and global governance
4. Understand the nature of international civil servants and their role in global governance
5. Understand the nature of CSOs
6. Explain how CSOs have come to be involved in the process of creating international law and global governance
7. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of CSOs in the process of global governance