Unit information: Governance and the Changing Institutional Framework in 2016/17

Unit name	Governance and the Changing Institutional Framework
Unit code	SPOLD2027
Credit points	20
Level of study	D/8
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Kennett
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School for Policy Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit explores some of the key debates in relation to globalisation, governance and the global political economy. It will consider the implications of the changing global political economy for the integrity and autonomy of the nation state and the policy process. As international activity increases does the nation state lose influence or authority? To what extent is power dissipating both upwards (via supranational organisations) and downwards (via decentralisation) and thus ‘hollowing out’ the nation state? This unit will explore these debates paying particular attention to the variable geometry of power among nation states; the tension between ‘geographical space’ and the space of financial flows and global networks; the relationship between supranational and national institutions in the setting of policy agenda: the role and status of international non-governmental organisations and new social movements within international and global policy making; and discourses, theories and policy frameworks for less-developed countries.

The unit will consider the range of approaches to understanding the new institutional structure and patterns of decision-making emerging in this global age. It will focus on the concept of `governance’, consider the various interpretations of and theoretical approaches to the term, and its usefulness for understanding the policy process.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Develop a theoretically informed understanding of the relationship between governance, the global political economy and the transnational policy arena;
• Develop a critical understanding of the range of actors and institutions which comprise the global political economy, as well as the nature, dynamics and power relations of their interaction;
• Develop a critical understanding of the implications for the policy process and policy making and the ability to apply this to their own work
• Demonstrate an understanding of the implications for different parts of the world and different groups of people.

Teaching Information

The unit will comprise of weekly lectures, class discussions and student presentations.

Assessment Information

Students at doctoral level will be required to prepare a 4,000 word written assignment.

Reading and References

Kennett, P. (2008) Governance, globalization and Public Policy Edward Elgar Publishing

Held, D. and McGrew, A (2003) The Global Transformations Reader Cambridge: Polity Press

Weiss, T. (2013) Global Governance, Polity Press

Kjaer, A. M. (2004) Governance Cambridge: Polity Held, D. and McGrew, A. (2002) Governing Globalization, Oxford: Polity Press

Cerny, P. (2010) Financial Globalisation, Crisis and the Reorganisation of Global Capital, Rethinking World Politics, 2010 February pp. 245-270.