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Contributions from
the Column
Media
Postmodern Global Governance – The UNCCD
Development policy textbook
Development assistance – a worthy endeavour?
The World Guide 2005/2006
12/2005 |
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Desertification:
Inspiring reading matter
Andreas Rechkemmer:
Postmodern Global Governance.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Baden-Baden, Nomos Verlag 2004, 172 pages,
¤ 29,00, ISBN 3-8329-1032-8
Increasingly, governments are obliged to solve problems, the causes and effects of which are beyond their control. The term “global governance” is a term coined to describe a new calibre of international cooperation that could help to reduce systemic risks. Rechkemmer’s book provides a good overview of the origin of the term. He uses the example of the UN Convention for Combating Desertification (UNCCD) to illustrate this notion’s effectiveness.
He begins his deliberations by asserting that international relations have assumed a post-modern character. “Postmodern” relations, according to him, depend on norms which are collectively agreed, consider the effect of national action in terms of international contexts and rules, and favour non-hierarchical structures. They also enlist non-governmental actors in analysing problems and drafting solutions. Global governance supersedes the old system of intergovernmental relations, which was established with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, following the 30 Years War in Europe. This system proved its worth through to the World Wars of the 20th century. Characteristic of Westphalia were the principles of “sovereignty” and “territory” as the basis of government action, and a nominal balance of power.
As a result of the UN Conference for Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the international community set up three environmental conventions with the common ideal of sustainable development. Rechkemmer regards this as evidence of the practical effectiveness of intergovernmental postmodernism – and, at the same time, as its high point. In his opinion, the UNCCD is the “most postmodern” outcome of Rio. He supports his theories by referring to documents and political strategies developed in the context of the UNCCD.
This all makes interesting reading. Anyone who is interested or involved in solving global problems will believe to be gaining a sound grasp of contemporary developments. But is this in fact true? The reference to the USA’s stance of denial towards collective, multilateral action does not wash. After all, the USA does not suggest a better response to transnational problems, but merely rejects the idea of binding international systems. A look at the difficulties encountered in putting postmodern policies into practice would have been more interesting. There is still plenty of scope here for empirical study. Rechkemmer’s theoretical analysis has laid the necessary foundation.
Rechkemmer’s book sheds new light on implementation problems, which are all too familiar from environmental and development affairs in Germany. However, powerful players on the world stage, too, depend on the cooperation of weaker players to solve global problems – if they do not want to lose their own ability to act.
Imme Scholz
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