DAAD – AlumniWebinar

The Social Dimension of Global Governance–

Rights and Voice for Labor

Session:How can Trade Unions and NGOs influence

Global Economic Governance

Febr. 4, 2015Prof. Dr. Christoph Scherrer

Premise

Rules for the International Division of Labor Rules for the International Division of Labor have an impact on the lives of workers.have an impact on the lives of workers.

Therefore, organized labor should have a Therefore, organized labor should have a voice in Global Economic Governance.voice in Global Economic Governance.

Currently, workers’ participation is limited.Currently, workers’ participation is limited.

Places of Rule Making

Nation – Government / Courts Applicability of global rules Influencing global rule making

Supranational Organizations International Organizations

Treaty negotiations Governing boards Secretariats

Global – Professional bodies

Participants of Rule Making

Governments / Courts International Organizations Professional Bodies Epistemic communities Civil society

Places of Trade Unions in Rule Making

Nation Corporatism – trade unions as institutionalized partner Ministries of Labor Parliament – members of friendly parties

Supranational Organizations As registered NGO Parliament

International Organizations As registered NGO (exception ILO tripartism) Through their governments

Global Organizations Excluded

Policy making processPolicy making processProblem IdentificationProblem Identification

Policy ImplementationPolicy Implementation

Policy LegitimatingPolicy Legitimating

Agenda settingAgenda setting

Policy FormulationPolicy Formulation

Policy EvaluationPolicy Evaluation

Design: Ana Bolsheva

Levels of Action

Street vs. Lobby

National – supranational – international

Scale jumping – “Boomerang”

Trade Unions’ Strategies on Trade Trade Unions’ Strategies on Trade RegimeRegime

MobilizationMobilization DialogDialog

Seattle WTO Ministerial Conference

Design: Ana Bolsheva

Power of the “Street”

• Attracting attention – “Agenda Setting”

• Forcing negotiations, because – government wants order– government fears electoral defeat

• Preconditions?

Logic of Lobbying

• Arguments - Dialogue• Deals – quid pro quo– support on other issues– support vis-à-vis other audiences– moderation of demands

• Threats – withdrawal of support– ability to impose sanctions

Preconditions?

Conditions for Collective Action

• Political Opportunity Structure

• Resources

• Discursive powers

Political Opportunities

• Channels of access– to government– to international organizations

• Strong coalition partners• Moments of delegitimation

How to make good on opportunity?

Resources

Money / time / expertise / commitmentNationally: varies among countriesInternationally: scant

Pooling of resources across bordersCoalition buildingPositive experiences

Conclusions

A voice in global economic governance requires:

• Developing expertise• Raising awareness• Identifying points of access• Finding the right balance between

mobilization and lobbying