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

Academic unit	Government and International Relations
Credit points	6
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
Prohibitions ?	GOVT2440
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

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

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final exam Formal exam in the exam period.	30%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Mid-semester test Short answers to questions on concepts and approaches in weeks two to six.	20%	Week 07 Due date: 10 Sep 2024 at 23:59	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay An essay on a topic chosen from a list of alternative perspectives.	40%	Week 11 Due date: 14 Oct 2024 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 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

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

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.

Steger, M.B. (2024), Globalization in the 21st Century, Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield.

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, 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 2024 .

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, 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.

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.

Stroup, S. (2022), “NGOs and States: Exploring National Diversity and Global Liberalism”, International Studies Review, Vol.24, No.1, pp.1-17.

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.

Van Coppenolle, H., Blondeel, M. and Van de Graaf, T. (2023), “Reframing the Climate Debate: The Origins and Diffusion of Net Zero Pledges”, Global Policy, Vol.14, No.1, pp.48-60.

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.

Goldstein, J. (2022), “Wither the Trade Regime?”, International Studies Review, Vol.24, No.2, viac019.

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.

Students have often said that there are too many written assessments due at the same time. To some extent this is inevitable - e.g. the essay cannot be due in week three! However, it is possible to have it due later in the semester and still have it marked with feedback in a timely fashion. This is why the essay is due in week twelve. Students in the past have often asked if they could answer their own essay question, rather than one of the questions set. As this is a senior unit of study, many wanted to focus on a specific issue or case that they were interested in. The essay questions are now structured so that this is possible. Some students previously expressed frustration that I was not presenting my views, but instead trying too hard to be neutral in the way the subject matter is presented. I now openly present my opinions. Sometimes I also 'try on' opinions that I do not necessarily agree with! The aim is always to stimulate discussion and debate, and students have told me that they appreciate my honesty as opposed to pretending to be ambivalent. But my view is not necessarily more 'right' than anyone else's. Nor is there an objectively 'right' view. Opinions expressed should be challenged, and above all they should be backed with critical analysis based on logical argument supported with evidence. As multiple conclusions are possible on the basis of this, there has been much robust debate between students, as well as between students and myself, in the past! Many have changed their mind in the process. I certainly have.

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

Support for students

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, 2024 [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

Support for students

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