The Institutional Dynamics of Global Governance in Hard Times: Innovation or Decline?
In the introduction to this roundtable, we argue that global governance currently faces hard times because it is affected by a set of significant developments revolving around the changing distribution of state power, the rise of nationalist populism, and the frequent occurrence of transnational crises, while seeking to facilitate collective action on complex cooperation problems. Against this backdrop, the essay identifies two major institutional dynamics of global governance in hard times: first, the drift of formal intergovernmental organizations (FIGOs) that is caused by them being gridlocked in a period of significant changes in their social, (geo)political, economic, and technological environment. Second, the proliferation of various types of low-cost institutions. To help us think systematically about how these two interrelated institutional dynamics affect global governance, the essay develops the innovation thesis and the decline thesis. The “innovation thesis” suggests that by transitioning from a rather exclusive and hierarchical system revolving around FIGOs into a more inclusive and heterarchical system revolving around institutional diversity, global governance is currently being adapted to its new environment. The “decline thesis,” by contrast, argues that the two institutional dynamics undermine rules-based multilateralism and may lead to a shift back toward traditional (great) power politics that does not respect institutional constraints.
Peace Operations Review Week
Peace Operations Review Week in New York brings together global experts and practitioners to explore the future of peace operations and contribute to the UN’s Review on the Future of All Forms of Peace Operations.
The Neighbourhood: Europe’s enlargement moment
Mark Leonard launches a new podcast series with Lykke Friis to explore the future of EU enlargement and Denmark’s role in shaping it. The episode...
From the Algiers Process to the Inter-Malian Dialogue: Women’s Participation in Peace and Reconciliation Processes in Mali 2013-2025
This research note discusses challenges and opportunities regarding women’s meaningful participation in the Algiers peace process (2013-2023) and the Inter-Malian Dialogue for Peace and National Reconciliation (DIMPR) (2023-2025). Activists, practitioners and policymakers have used UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the WPS agenda and related policy frameworks to push for women’s meaningful participation, at all levels, in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts around the world. Still, women remain under-represented in peace processes. In Mali, women, girls and other marginalised groups are directly affected by conflict yet face significant challenges in influencing conflict resolution and dialogue processes. Women’s meaningful participation in future conflict resolution and dialogue efforts in Mali and the Sahel is therefore key to ensuring a broader involvement of the affected populations and more sustainable peaceful solutions.
Report on the Status of Norwegian Support to Women, Peace and Security
This report aims to provide an overview of Norwegian support to WPS, with a focus on the work of the Foreign Service in the priority countries identified in Norway’s National Action Plan for 2023-2030 (NAP). Based on interviews, conversations, observation and desk research, the report discusses the support to WPS and the challenges to implementation in the priority countries. The report also addresses aspects related to institutionalization and mainstreaming, as well as monitoring the progress of implementation and results. The report finds that there is a high degree of knowledge in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the work and support to WPS, and that the 2023-2030 NAP has thus far been successful in setting overarching priorities and in mobilizing and raising awareness. Yet there is variation in the extent to which the NAP is a driver or tool of strategic implementation of efforts. Regarding institutionalisation and mainstreaming across the foreign service, the report finds that many important tools, frameworks, policies and practices have been established, but that this work is somewhat uneven and requires continued effort.
Topographies of global-local connections in the Amazon: An analysis of networks of stakeholder participation in international environmental projects
Global governance has long been pushed to localize, incorporating local voices and knowledge to become both more equitable and effective. This has been particularly the case for global environmental governance, where polycentric modes of governance are found to help local actors acquire responsible stewardship and use resources sustainably. However, the selection of which local actors and knowledges will be incorporated in global governance is still dependent on major international development organizations and funding agencies. This article poses the following questions: Which types of actors are incorporated in the global governance of the Amazon and how do they participate therein? To that end, we analyze the network of stakeholders involved in development, execution, or governance of internationally funded projects in the Amazon. Analyzed projects which were part of a major multilateral initiative—the Global Environmental Facility—focusing on those whose main activities are in the Amazon Rainforest biome. The analysis sheds light on the hierarchies and patterns of exclusion in these networks, identifying which types of actors occupy central and peripheral position, and which others are underrepresented. This will expand our understanding of the politics of global local entanglements in the governance of the Amazon.
The Role of Ad Hoc Security Initiatives and Enterprise Security Arrangements in the Protection of Civilians in Africa
African-led ad hoc security initiatives (ASIs) and enterprise security arrangements (ESAs) provide flexible, rapid responses to complex threats but remain heavily militarized, weakly integrated into AU frameworks, and poorly aligned with protection of civilians (POC) standards. Their focus on counterinsurgency, reliance on external support, and lack of civilian components often undermine community trust and broader peace processes. While some positive practices have emerged—such as civil-military cooperation in the MNJTF and Rwanda’s outreach in Mozambique—these remain inconsistent. Without systematic integration of AU POC policies, civilian structures, and political strategies, ASIs and ESAs will struggle to deliver sustainable protection outcomes.
Changing transatlantic security relations: Implications for Europe and Norway (TransatDefence)
Transatlantic relations are the cornerstone of Norway’s security and defence. Against the backdrop of the United States (US)’ ‘pivot to Asia,’ the increasing polarization of US foreign...
Annual Lecture: Dictating the Agenda – How Authoritarians are Transforming Global Governance
Based on their new book "Dictating the Agenda", Alexander Cooley and Alexander Dukalskis reveal the important authoritarian changes underway across various global governance domains.