DAAD – AlumniWebinar
The Social Dimension of Global Governance–
Rights and Voice for Labor
Session:How can Trade Unions and NGOs influence
Global Economic Governance
Febr. 4, 2015Prof. Dr. Christoph Scherrer
Premise
Rules for the International Division of Labor Rules for the International Division of Labor have an impact on the lives of workers.have an impact on the lives of workers.
Therefore, organized labor should have a Therefore, organized labor should have a voice in Global Economic Governance.voice in Global Economic Governance.
Currently, workers’ participation is limited.Currently, workers’ participation is limited.
Places of Rule Making
Nation – Government / Courts Applicability of global rules Influencing global rule making
Supranational Organizations International Organizations
Treaty negotiations Governing boards Secretariats
Global – Professional bodies
Participants of Rule Making
Governments / Courts International Organizations Professional Bodies Epistemic communities Civil society
Places of Trade Unions in Rule Making
Nation Corporatism – trade unions as institutionalized partner Ministries of Labor Parliament – members of friendly parties
Supranational Organizations As registered NGO Parliament
International Organizations As registered NGO (exception ILO tripartism) Through their governments
Global Organizations Excluded
Policy making processPolicy making processProblem IdentificationProblem Identification
Policy ImplementationPolicy Implementation
Policy LegitimatingPolicy Legitimating
Agenda settingAgenda setting
Policy FormulationPolicy Formulation
Policy EvaluationPolicy Evaluation
Design: Ana Bolsheva
Levels of Action
Street vs. Lobby
National – supranational – international
Scale jumping – “Boomerang”
Trade Unions’ Strategies on Trade Trade Unions’ Strategies on Trade RegimeRegime
MobilizationMobilization DialogDialog
Seattle WTO Ministerial Conference
Design: Ana Bolsheva
Power of the “Street”
• Attracting attention – “Agenda Setting”
• Forcing negotiations, because – government wants order– government fears electoral defeat
• Preconditions?
Logic of Lobbying
• Arguments - Dialogue• Deals – quid pro quo– support on other issues– support vis-à-vis other audiences– moderation of demands
• Threats – withdrawal of support– ability to impose sanctions
Preconditions?
Conditions for Collective Action
• Political Opportunity Structure
• Resources
• Discursive powers
Political Opportunities
• Channels of access– to government– to international organizations
• Strong coalition partners• Moments of delegitimation
How to make good on opportunity?
Resources
Money / time / expertise / commitmentNationally: varies among countriesInternationally: scant
Pooling of resources across bordersCoalition buildingPositive experiences
Conclusions
A voice in global economic governance requires:
• Developing expertise• Raising awareness• Identifying points of access• Finding the right balance between
mobilization and lobbying
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