Outline

Overview

Globalisation is posited as a process of deep change to the international order, one that restructures the role of the state internally and externally and has implications for a wide range of actors: international institutions, corporations, interest groups and individuals. One argument is that this erodes the capacity of national and subnational governments to manage economic and social change. In response to these concerns this unit will appraise the debates about the impact of globalisation and state power erosion.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	GOVT3988
Academic unit	Government and International Relations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	GOVT2440
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 2000 level in Politics or 12 credit points at 2000 level in International Relations or 12 senior credit points from Government and International Relations
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	John Mikler, john.mikler@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	John Mikler, john.mikler@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Formal exam in the exam period.	30%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Mid-semester test Short answers to questions on concepts and approaches in weeks two to six.	20%	Week 07 Due date: 12 Sep 2023 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay An essay on a topic chosen from a list of alternative perspectives.	40%	Week 12 Due date: 23 Oct 2023 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Tutorial Participation Attendance, preparation and contribution to discussion.	10%	Weekly	During tutorials
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the course	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Issues, concepts and approaches	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Four major dimensions of globalisation: economic, cultural, political and military	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Power to the market: the retreat of the state? The 'power' of market 'forces'?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	The state of globalisation: convergence and the triumph of neoliberal ideology? Or the persistence of institutional diversity?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Global development and north-south relations: globalisation as development? Or 'kicking away the ladder' and entrenching underdevelopment?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	No readings, mid-semester test	Block teaching (2 hr)
Week 08	Cultural diversity, cultural divides or global culture: is global culture possible/desirable? Clash of civilisation or clash of globalisations?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Global civil society: the role played by NGOs and INGOs - promoting democratic accountability or entrenching global divides?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Military security and the state: global security threats, global responses - multilateralism or American leadership/imperialism?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Non-traditional security threats: the global commons. Climate change and environmental degradation.	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Global governance for a global era: the role of global regulations, and the 'space' left for nation states	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Revision	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no textbook for this unit of study. All readings are available from the library and online, and there is also a reader available for purchase from KopyStop, which is located at 55 Mountain Street, Broadway (shop 3, ground level). You can go there to buy the reader. Alternatively, you can phone them on 9211 2733 or email print@kopystop.com.au to arrange your reader to be sent at an additional cost by express post or courier. All the required readings are also available from the library and from the eReserve link on this Canvas site.

In addition to the recommended readings, if you are looking for some introductory texts on the topic, or just ones that are broadly pretty useful, the following books provide a range of different perspectives on globalisation:

Cowen, T. (2002), Creative Destruction: How Globalization is Changing the World’s Cultures, Princeton and Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Dicken, P. (2015), Global Shift: Mapping the Changing Contours of the World Economy, 7th edition, London: Sage.

Dunne, T. and Reus-Smit, C. eds. (2017), The Globalization of International Society, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Glenn, J. (2007), Globalization: North-South Perspectives, London and New York: Routlegde.

Held, D. and McGrew, A. eds. (2003), The Global Transformations Reader: An Introduction to the Globalization Debate, Cambridge: Polity Press.

Held, D. and McGrew, A. eds. (2007), Globalisation Theory: Approaches and Controversies, Cambridge: Polity Press.

Held, D., McGrew, A., Goldblatt, D., and Perraton, J. (1999), Global Transformations: Politics, Economics and Culture, Stanford: Stanford University Press.

Hirst, P., Thompson, G. and Bromley, S. (2015) Globalisation in Question, 3rd edition, Cambridge: Polity Press.

Larres, K. and Wittlinger, R. (2020), Understanding Global Politics: Actors and Themes in International Affairs, Abingdon: Routledge.

Lechner, F.J. and Boli, J. (2015), The Globalization Reader, 5th edition, Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.

Michie, John (2019), The Handbook of Globalization, 3rd edition, Northampton: Edward Elgar.

Osterhammel, J. and Petersson, N.P. (2005), Globalization: A Short History, Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press.

Sparke, M. (2013), Introducing Globalization: Ties, Tensions and Uneven Integration, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Scholte, J.A (2005), Globalization: A Critical Introduction, 2nd edition, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Stiglitz, J. (2002), Globalization and Its Discontents, New York and London: W.W. Norton and Co.

Turner, Bryan S. (2010), The Routledge International Handbook of Globalization Studies, Abingdon: Routledge.

Ritzer, George (2010), Globalization: A Basic Text, Malden: Wiley Blackwell.

Weiss, L. ed. (2003), States in the Global Economy: Bringing Domestic Institutions Back In, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

WEEK 2: ISSUES, CONCEPTS AND APPROACHES

Mann, M. (1997), “Has Globalisation Ended the Rise and Rise of the Nation-State?”, Review of International Political Economy, Vol.4, No.3, pp.472-496.

Martell, L. (2007), “The Third Wave in Globalisation Theory”, International Studies Review, Vol.9, No.2, pp.173-196.

Weiss, L. (2003), “Introduction: Bringing Domestic Institutions Back In”, in Weiss, L. ed., States in the Global Economy: Bringing Domestic Institutions Back In, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

WEEK 3: FOUR MAJOR DIMENSIONS OF GLOBALISATION

Economic, cultural, political and military globalisation

Keohane, R. and Nye, J.S. (2000), “Globalisation: What’s New, What’s Not? (And So What?)”, Foreign Policy, Issue 118, Spring 2000, pp.104-119.

Mann, M. (2001), “Globalisation and September 11”, New Left Review, Vol.12, November-December, pp.51-72.

Friedman, T. (2000), The Lexus and the Olive Tree, revised edition, London: Harper Collins, chapter 6.

Farrell, H. and Newman, A. (2020), “Chained to Globalisation: Why it’s Too Late to Decouple”, Foreign Affairs, Vol.99, No.1, pp.70-80.

WEEK 4: POWER TO ‘THE MARKET’

The retreat of the state? The ‘power’ of market ‘forces’?

Strange, S. (1996), The Retreat of the State: The Diffusion of Power in the World Economy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, chapter 1.

Harrison, N.E. and Mikler, J. (2022), Capitalism for All: Realising its Liberal Promise, New York: SUNY Press, ch.4.

Haufler, V. (2006), “Global Governance and the Private Sector,” in May, C. ed., Global Corporate Power, Boulder: Lynn Rienner Publishers.

Anon (2023), “Efficiency be Damned”, The Economist, 14 January 2023, pp.17-19, also available at https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/01/12/globalisation-already-slowing-is-suffering-a-new-assault, accessed 19 June 2023 .

Mikler, J. (2016), “‘Brexit means Brexit’ Must Not Mean ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’”, SPERI Comment: The Political Economy Blog, 30 August 2016, http://speri.dept.shef.ac.uk/2016/08/31/brexit-means-brexit-must-not-mean-keep-calm-and-carry-on/, accessed 14 June 2023.

WEEK 5: THE STATE AND GLOBALISATION

Convergence and the triumph of neoliberal ideology? Or the persistence of institutional diversity?

Jackson, G., and Deeg, R. (2008), “From Comparing Capitalisms to the Politics of Institutional Change”, Review of International Political Economy, Vol.15, No.4, pp.680-709.

Breslin, S. (2012), “Government-Industry Relations in China: A Review of the Art of the State”, in Andrew Walter and Xiaoke Zhang eds., East Asian Capitalism: Diversity, Continuity and Change, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Streeck, W. (2017), “The Return of the Repressed”, New Left Review, Vol.104, March/April, pp.5-18.

WEEK 6: GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AND NORTH-SOUTH RELATIONS

Globalisation as development? Or 'kicking away the ladder’ and entrenching underdevelopment?

Chang, H. (2008), Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade and the Secret History of Capitalism, New York: Bloomsbury Press, chapter 1.

Bhagwati, J. (2004), In Defense of Globalisation, Oxford: Oxford University Press, chapter 1.

Blinder, A.S. (2019), “The Free Trade Paradox: The Bad Politics of a Good Idea”, Foreign Affairs, Vol.98, No.1 (January/February), pp.119-128.

WEEK 7: NO READINGS, MID-SEMESTER TEST

WEEK 8: CULTURAL DIVERSITY, CULTURAL DIVIDES, OR GLOBAL CULTURE?

Global culture: possible? desirable? Clash of civilisations or clash of globalisations?

Huntington, S. (1993), “The Clash of Civilisations?”, Foreign Affairs, Vol.72, No.3, pp.22-49.

Hoffman, S. (2002), “Clash of Globalisations”, Foreign Affairs, Vol.81, No.4, pp.104-115.

Rothkopf, D. (2000), “In Praise of Cultural Imperialism?”, in O’Meara, P., Mehlinger, H.D., and Krain, M. eds., Globalisation and the Challenges of a New Century, Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Mahbubani, K. and Summers, L. (2016), “The Fusion of Civilizations: The Case for Global Optimism”, Foreign Affairs, Vol.95, No.3., pp.126-135.

WEEK 9: GLOBAL CIVIL SOCIETY
The role played by NGOs and INGOs: promoting democratic accountability or entrenching global divides?

Scholte, J.A. (2002), “Civil Society and Democracy in Global Governance”, Global Governance, Vol.8, No.3, pp.281-304.

Keck, M. and Sikkink, K. (1999), “Transnational Advocacy Networks in International and Regional Politics”, International Social Science Journal, Vol.51, March, pp.89-101.

Chandhoke, N. (2005), “How Global is Global Civil Society?”, Journal of World-Systems Research, Vol.11, No.2, pp.356-370.

Worth, O. and Buckley, K. (2009), “The World Social Forum: Postmodern Prince or Court Jester?”, Third World Quarterly, Vol.30, No.4, pp.649-661.

WEEK 10: MILITARY SECURITY AND THE STATE

Global security threats, global responses: multilateralism or American leadership/imperialism?

Zolo, D. (2007), Globalisation: An Overview, Totton, Hampshire: ECPR Press, chapter 7.

Prestowitz, C. (2003), Rogue Nation: American Unilateralism and the Failure of Good Intentions, New York: Basic Books, pp.272-278.

Nye Jr., J. (2010), “American and Chinese Power after the Financial Crisis”, The Washington Quarterly, Vol.33, No.4, pp.143-153.

Power, S. (2021), “The Can-do Power: America's Advantage and Biden's Chance”, Foreign Affairs, Vol.100, No.1, pp.10-24.

WEEK 11: NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY THREATS - THE GLOBAL COMMONS

Climate change and environmental degradation

Hale, T., Held, D. and Young, K. (2013), Gridlock: Why Global Cooperation is Failing when we Need it Most, Cambridge: Polity Press, chapter 4.

Klein, N. (2014), This Changes Everything: Capitalism Versus the Climate, London: Allen Lane, chapter 1.

Giddens, A. (2011), “As the World Turns: Climate Change Meets Geopolitical Reality in Copenhagen”, New Perspectives Quarterly, Vol.27, No.2, pp.58-60.

Bollyky, T. J., and Bown, C.P. (2020), “The Tragedy of Vaccine Nationalism: Only Cooperation can end the Pandemic”, Foreign Affairs, Vol.99, No.5, pp.96-109.

WEEK 12: GLOBAL GOVERNANCE FOR A GLOBAL ERA?

The role of global regulations, and the ‘space’ left for nation states.

Keohane, R. (2011), “Global Governance and Legitimacy”, Review of International Political Economy, Vol.18, No.1, pp.99-109.

Kahler, M. and Lake, D.A. (2009), “Economic Integration and Global Governance: Why So Little Supranationalism?”, in Mattli, W. and Woods, N. eds., The Politics of Global Regulation, Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Aggarwal, V.K. and Evenett, S.J. (2014), “Do WTO Rules Preclude Industrial Policy? Evidence from the Global Economic Crisis”, Business and Politics, Vol.16, No.4, pp.481-509.

Bagwell, K. and Staiger, R. (2001), “National Sovereignty in the World Trading System”, Harvard International Review, Vol.22, No.4, pp.54-59.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. critically evaluate underlying theories, concepts, assumptions, limitations and arguments in disciplinary and cross-disciplinary fields of study
LO2. develop and present coherent arguments when recommending solutions and critically evaluating theories in major fields of study
LO3. research using archives, libraries, the web and other sources of information
LO4. demonstrate an openness to new ways of thinking and appreciate the importance of intellectual curiosity and reflection as the foundation for continuous learning
LO5. deal with ethical and other issues in business, government and social contexts in relation to personal and professional lives
LO6. communicate confidently and coherently, orally and in writing, to a professional standard in major fields of study.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has not been offered since 2019. Some changes have been made to reflect developments since then.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

GOVT3988: Globalisation, Governance and the State

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect