Globalisation and International Relations - Climate Change - Essay Example

Running Head: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND GLOBAL ECONOMY Name Course Institution Tutor Date SECTION A Q. 4 Globalisation and international relations In the modern world, globalisation has become an essential if not a necessary undertaking. The global economy and other crucial aspects of the world are driven by globalisation and international relations. It is as a result of globalisation that global economies have experienced significant growth and progress over the last few decades. Nations that have had good relations with western countries in Europe and America have experienced more growth. This has also been the case with Asian tigers which have formed a significant force in shaping the global economy. As a result, it can be argued that the global markets are highly dependent on the states and their international relations with each other. The extent of effects that globalisation can have in these markets is determined by states and their international relations. Globalisation has the effect of increasing technological efficiency, reliability in fast communication and consumption of products across borders. In this view, globalisation links different states in terms of culture, politics and social aspects ( Baylis, Steve & Patricia, 2013, p. 4). For globalisation to reach its goals in the perspective of different states, international relations are critical. International relations basically relate to how different nations interact and how they agree on various issues. The success of globalisation has been experienced differently in different nations. Different cultures and how people relate with foreigners determine how globalisation affects markets in these countries. Developing countries and demerging nations have been affected by globalisation to large extents. Taking a country like China, it has seen immense growth despite its communist approach to issues. The country has been able to take advantage of its diverse economic abilities by creating concrete relations with other countries. This has had the effect of increased trade and significant growth n their markets. China’s international relations with many counties is favourable and hence the growth in globalisation and trades. America, Europe, Japan, China and Korea are some of the larges manufacturers in the world. They therefore have to find adequate markets for their competing products in the world market. To do this, they have to appeal to potential buying countries. Their international relations programs have been the drives of their trade and economy as well. If such countries had poor international relations, it would adversely affect their economic statuses ands their ability to supply products to demanding nations. The role of international bodies such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund has also become significant in determining performance of markets (Mabee, 2004, p. 1360). There are nations that have expressed conservative approaches towards interaction with thee rest of the world and adoption of foreign affiliations. In this view, they have lagged behind in the effects of globalisation. The evidence of this is out-dated technology and ineffective communication. Globalisation in developing nations has been received with mixed reactions. Developing countries are the producers of primary products that are exchanged with technological products from developed nations. There are schools of through that view globalisation as the cause of deepening inequalities and increasing in poverty among populations of developing nations. There is also the group that believes that appropriate international relations and globalisation are the solutions to ending massive poverty in these countries. International relations have also been the grounds for foreign aid and donor funding to these countries. In the modern world, trade is the key driver of the global economy. World energy needs have been on the rise especially the demand for oil and other fossil fuels. The problem with this is that not all countries have the natural endowment of this crucial commodity. As a result, a majority of nations have been forced to enhance their relations with oil producing countries. These nations have formed blocs that control pricing and supply. Countries that depend on these oil producing countries have been doing everything in their power to ensure that they maintain appropriate international relations to keep the oil flowing at all times. Threats to this have even led to war and conflict especial yin the gulf regions globalisation from this perspective is at the mercy of international relations between consuming and supplying countries. In conclusion, international relations are significant in shaping the direction taken by globalisation. Globalisation on the other hand is significant in shaping individual and international markets. It is the role of foreign authorities within government to ensure that their interests in foreign nations are maintained through enhancement of concrete international relations that will facilitate globalisation to expected levels. SECTION B Q. 6 The scope of addressing climate change Climate change has become a global phenomenon that has had adverse effects at every corner of the globe. Its effects have been felt both in wealthy nations and developing ones. The emergence of extreme weather conditions has become common than in the past concerns have been raised about the effects of climate change and how to deal with the casing factors. Global warming which has seen global temperatures rise has been singled out as the biggest cause of climate change. Governments in many countries have come under increased pressure to put up strategies meant to reduce the effects of climate change. This has also been a concern for international environmental bodies such as the United Nations and Habitat. Climate change and environmental degradation has been atopic of discussion at many conferences and forums. There have been agreements for countries to reduce their levels of emissions by certain percentages and control pollution in specific ways. This has been especially among the developed countries which are the biggest contributors to pollution and greenhouse emissions (Ackerman, 2013, p. 14). Though climate change has been a rampant problem that most countries have been concerned with, little has been done to deal with it effectively. The reason for this is that markets have neo been provided with adequate scopes within which they are supposed to addresses the problems. Most countries realise the need to slowdown the effects of climate change globally. If current statuses continue, projections of climate change in future are grim. The need to reverse this is urgent than ever. Though markets globally are willing to fight climate change, the lack of a clear scope of addressing the problem is slowing down the progress. The efforts of a single nation are insignificant in the fight. For climate change to be adequately addressed, all nations should carry out equal environmental protection for collective achievements to be realized. The problem is because different nations have different approaches to the issue. International standards like Kyoto Protocol are not adequately followed. Its effects were yet to be felt, though it helped control emissions to some extent. Global emissions which are the major cause of climate change are the facilitated by very few nations. About 20 countries in the world produce more than 75% of all global emissions. This is dangerous because when it comes to climate change; it is felt equally across all nations. The Kyoto protocol which was supposed to expire in 2012 provided as scope of controlling climate change especially for developed countries. Though the agreement sought to reduce emissions in developing countries, the effects of climate change are still being felt worldwide. Reducing climate change should be more specific in definition if any progress is to be made. For instance, the use of fossil fuels should be limited to certain levels where alternatives are possible. The scopes also undefined for developing nations. The era of globalisation has seen emerging nations and developing ones become more active in industrialization and development. The Kyoto protocol provided measure for reducing emissions by major polluters though the United States was not included. Countries that do not meet the set standards are not subject to any non compliance measures. The protocol was also facing major setbacks as countries like Canada, Japan, and Russia withdrew, citing inequality in application of the regulation. Therefore, the international approach to climate change is inadequate in scope for different countries. As a result, the need for major cuts in emission persists and continues to increase as developing nations join in the list of major contributors to emissions. Furthermore, the regimes for controlling climate change from a global perspective are inadequate (Council on Foreign Relations, 2013). This has resulted in different commitments by different nations in the fight against climate change. There are no uniform clear cut regulations that apply for all polluting nations. For instance, developing nations are not included in the Kyoto Protocol. Also emerging big emitters of greenhouse gases are not part of intentional accords and have only caught attention recently. These include countries like China and India whose rapid growth in industrialisation has seen them increase emissions significantly. Extension of the Kyoto protocol to 2017 was a short term measure as a more inclusive scope of controlling climate change was being developed. The Durban platform agreed to set emission reduction targets for each country to be adopted as a post Kyoto approach. This elicited mixed reactions from developing and emerging nations which have had to pay the price of climate change despite their negligible contributions. The scope of controlling climate change is different in different countries. Some markets are not signatories to international accords and hence different levels of commitment to the issue. However, the United Nations in collaboration with other international body are fighting hard to come up with regulatory policies that are equal and apply to all nations. References Ackerman, A. 2010, Regulation: Climate Disclosure Sought, New York, N.Y. Baylis, J, Steve, S, Patricia, O, 2010, The globalization of world politics: An introduction to international relations. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Council on Foreign Relations, 2013, ‘The Global Climate Change Regime’ Council on Foreign Relations. 4 November 2013 . Mabee, B, 2004, ‘Discourses of empire: the US ‘empire’, globalisation and international relations’, Third World Quarterly vol 25. No 8, pp. 1359-1378. Read More