Active learning ideas
Global Governance explores the institutions and rules that attempt to manage an anarchic international system. Students examine the political role of the United Nations, focusing on the Security Council's effectiveness in maintaining peace. They also dive into economic governance through the 'Bretton Woods' institutions: the IMF, World Bank, and WTO, evaluating their impact on global stability and development.
Activity 01
Assign students as the P5 and elected members of the Security Council. They are presented with a sudden international crisis and must attempt to pass a resolution, navigating the use of the 'veto' by the permanent members.
How effective is the UN Security Council in maintaining global peace?
Activity 02
Small groups are given a 'debt crisis' scenario for a developing nation. They must research the IMF's typical 'structural adjustment' requirements and present a debate on whether these help the country's economy or just serve the interests of the Global North.
What role do the IMF and World Bank play in the global economy?
Activity 03
Students identify one success and one failure of the UN. They then discuss with a partner whether the UN should be reformed (e.g., expanding the Security Council) or if it is doing the best it can in a world of sovereign states.
Do global economic institutions disproportionately benefit the Global North?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
The UN is a 'world government' that can force countries to obey.
The UN has no standing army and relies on the consent of its member states. A 'power-mapping' activity helps students see that the UN is a forum for cooperation, not a supreme authority over sovereign nations.
The IMF and World Bank do the same thing.
The IMF focuses on short-term financial stability and currency crises, while the World Bank focuses on long-term development and poverty reduction. Using a 'bank vs insurance' analogy helps students distinguish between their primary functions.
Methods used in this brief
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