Globalization: Interdependencies and Coordination

Efforts at coordination between nations are at the heart of the challenges of globalization. Despite steadily growing interdependencies, individual nations still have specific interests that present obstacles to globalization. While some challenges inspired by the need to coordinate are viewed as inevitable by many, they are less optimistic about prospects for success. Jan-Erik Lane argues that one should focus objectively upon the possibility of failures. Lane analyzes four kinds of challenges to interdependency, all of which are growing in geopolitical relevance. First, countries need to diminish their dependency on fossil fuel and shift to a reliable supply of energy, because fossil fuels are diminishing. Second, environmental degradation must be addressed, because it is accelerating under the strain of earth's population. Lane advocates an ecological footprint approach. Third, a single global market economy and its complexities must be addressed, as national economies are increasingly opened. Finally, as traditional state sovereignty weakens, foreign military intervention in both international and intra-state conflicts increases. Governments are attempting to address these interdependencies, or reply to the challenges they pose, mainly through international organizations and regionalism. These efforts are discussed at length. In addition, problems with international law are reviewed, as Lane warns against the utopian hopes of global constitutionalism. Globalization also examines the potential consequences of failing to address the need for coordination in efforts to address shared global challenges.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction: Actors, Interdependencies, and Coordination Efforts in Globalization Processes Challenge One: The Energy-Environment Conundrum 1 Energy and Ecology 2 Environmental Deficits 3 Climate Change Is Unavoidable Challenge Two: Managing One Global Market Economy 4 The Real Economy and the Financial Economy 5 Global Economic Coordination Mechanisms 6 Global Imbalance: China versus the EU, or Economic Growth against Austerity Challenge Three: Managing Violent Political Conflicts 7 Political Interdependencies: The Conflict Perspective 8 A New Pattern of Global Conflicts Challenge Four: Regional Coordination: How Effective Is It? 9 Governance of Common Pools 10 Regional Organization: No Ideal-Type Model Challenge Five: Good Governance 11 Global Institutionality and Normativity 12 Mankind and Global Rule of Law Conclusion: Weber's Thesis Today Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Jan-Erik Lane has been full professor at the universities of Umea (Sweden), Oslo (Norway), and Geneva (Switzerland). He has published widely in comparative politics, public administration, and international studies.

Review :
-Globalization defines the modern era. In his deeply insightful and original book, Jan Erik Lane offers a unique analysis on the role of globalization in international and national politics. Drawing upon multiple social science disciplines, Professor Lane points to the importance of employing a multi dimensional analysis of economics, political science, law and culture studies in shaping the global world of the twenty-first century. This is a first-rate contribution to the study of globalization and it breaks new ground in understanding the forces, challenges and trends that shape today's world politics.- --Menachem Hofnung, Hebrew University of Jerusalem "Globalization defines the modern era. In his deeply insightful and original book, Jan Erik Lane offers a unique analysis on the role of globalization in international and national politics. Drawing upon multiple social science disciplines, Professor Lane points to the importance of employing a multi dimensional analysis of economics, political science, law and culture studies in shaping the global world of the twenty-first century. This is a first-rate contribution to the study of globalization and it breaks new ground in understanding the forces, challenges and trends that shape today's world politics." --Menachem Hofnung, Hebrew University of Jerusalem "Globalization defines the modern era. In his deeply insightful and original book, Jan Erik Lane offers a unique analysis on the role of globalization in international and national politics. Drawing upon multiple social science disciplines, Professor Lane points to the importance of employing a multi dimensional analysis of economics, political science, law and culture studies in shaping the global world of the twenty-first century. This is a first-rate contribution to the study of globalization and it breaks new ground in understanding the forces, challenges and trends that shape today's world politics." --Menachem Hofnung, Hebrew University of Jerusalem