37: Michael Barnett – Global Governance in an Age of Precarity
Mar 9, 2024
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In this podcast, Professor Michael Barnett discusses humanitarian intervention, liberal biases post-Cold War, and the relevance of global governance. The conversation delves into the potential of genocide in Israel, challenges faced by Palestinian refugees, and the need to reconcile human progress with tragedies like World War I. It also explores ethical complexities in global governance shifts and the significance of empowerment in critical theory.
Global Governance 2.0 focuses on minimizing negative outcomes over progress.
Ethical considerations and empowerment are crucial in shaping global governance power dynamics.
Academic curiosity, skepticism, and ethical grounding are vital for impactful global governance research.
Deep dives
Understanding Global Governance Through the Lens of Michael Barnett
Michael Barnett, a distinguished global governance scholar, reflects on the evolving nature of global governance and questions the traditional concept of progress. He emphasizes the shift from Global Governance 1.0 to a current state of Global Governance 2.0, highlighting a focus on minimizing negative outcomes rather than striving for progress.
Exploring Power Dynamics and Ethical Considerations in Global Governance
Barnett delves into the intricate power dynamics that shape global governance and underscores the importance of ethical considerations. He urges scholars to not only analyze power structures but also focus on empowerment and fostering positive change.
Navigating Complexity and Addressing Injustices in Academic Pursuits
For aspiring academics in the field of global governance, Barnett advises against aligning too closely with specific paradigms and instead advocates for curiosity in exploring thought-provoking questions. He stresses the significance of addressing injustices through research topics that resonate with personal values.
Embracing Skepticism and Sobriety in Social Science
Barnett advocates for a social science approach grounded in skepticism, evidence-based research, and a critical view of established theories. He emphasizes the need for researchers to remain skeptical, avoid falling in love with theories, and prioritize methodological rigor.
Staying True to Ethical Principles and Compassion in Research
Lastly, Barnett highlights the importance of maintaining ethical principles and compassion in academic research, especially in humanitarianism and global governance. He encourages scholars to recognize the humanity in all individuals, remain ethically grounded, and strive for positive impacts amid the challenging landscape of global governance crises.
Professor Michael Barnett is University Professor of International Affairs and Political Science at the George Washington University. Michael is one of the leading International Relations scholars of his generation and a major figure in the field of humanitarianism, global governance, global ethics and the United Nations. He has set the coordinates for major debates in the field, including investigation of the sometimes positive, sometimes pernicious effects of international organisations on global politics, as well as bringing issues of institutional bias, privilege and power inequity to the fore when thinking about global governance. Among his many books are Eyewitness to a Genocide: The United Nations and Rwanda; Empire of Humanity: A History of Humanitarianism; Rules for the World: International Organizations in World Politics (with Martha Finnemore); and Power and Global Governance (co-edited with Raymond Duvall).
In this podcast we talk about humanitarian intervention, the liberal biases of the post-Cold War and whether global governance has reached its sell-by-date.
Michael can be found here: https://elliott.gwu.edu/michael-barnett
We also discussed:
‘Is Israel on the Precipice of Genocide?’ Political Violence at a Glance, 6 March 2023: https://politicalviolenceataglance.org/2023/03/06/is-israel-on-the-precipice-of-genocide/
‘COVID-19 and the Sacrificial International Order’, International Organization, 2020: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-organization/article/covid19-and-the-sacrificial-international-order/7D64519B3541BD20C77D4DE82702243F
‘Accountability and global governance: The view from paternalism’, Regulation & Governance, 2016: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/rego.12083
Power in Global Governance, Cambridge University Press, 2005 (with Raymond Duvall).
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