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Daveyy:
   •   "Non-state actors are posing a number of challenges to states in carrying out their traditional roles which is questioning the notion of state sovereignty."
Discuss. In your answer you should make reference to the power and influence of at least two non-state actors and/or institutions of global governance in the twenty-first century


RESPONSE:




The traditional role of a state achieving their national interests was originally more simplistic fashion. The introduction of non-state actors to the international mix creates a more complex relationship between states, and poses a number of challenges to individual states in regards to upholding traditional values of a state, mainly state sovereignty.

The rise of the importance of non-state actors in their relationships with states cannot be ignored. Transnational corporations and other non-state actors can challenge the idea of state sovereignty. Sovereignty must be attained for a state to function in a productive manner.

The case of Royal Dutch Shell operating in Nigeria is a clear example of state sovereignty being affected by a non-state, transnational corporation. In 2000, oil and gas exports accounted for more than 98% of export earnings and about 83% of federal government revenue. Royal Dutch Shell accounts for more than 40% of this production. The economy and government of Nigeria have an economic dependancy to Royal Dutch Shell, due to incoming finances supplied by the company.

The problem with the relationship between Royal Dutch Shell and the Nigerian Government is that state sovereignty is being threatened due to the implementation of the company into the state’s network of government and political systems. An article released by the UK Guardian, written by David Smith, Wednesday 8th December, quoted Celestine AkpoBari, of Social Action Nigeria.

“Shell is everywhere. They have an eye and an ear in every ministry of Nigeria. They have people on the payroll in every community, which is why they get away with everything. They are more powerful than the Nigerian government."

She refers to Royal Dutch Shell’s involvement in governmental procedures, law making and policy changing. This quote clearly explains the grasp in which Royal Dutch Shell has on the Nigerian Government, thus obtaining a sense of power over the state and affecting overall state sovereignty. Royal Dutch Shell has been changing environmental laws in Nigeria for a number of years, with much success due to the Nigerian Government’s dependancy on Royal Dutch Shell. The Nigerian government, due to their dependancy on Royal Dutch Shell, clearly loses state sovereignty due to trade agreements between Royal Dutch Shell and the government.

Royal Dutch Shell isn’t the only powerful TNC, as of 2011, Bill Gates, the CEO of Microsoft is worth almost as much as the national income of Bangladesh, a state with a population of 158.5 million. This clearly shows the economic power of TNC’s and their powerful presence in the global arena.

Institutions of global governance can also challenge state sovereignty, as seen through the UN sanctions imposed on Syria. On 26 February 2011, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted resolution 1970, imposing sanctions against the Libyan Government in response to the violence and use of force against civilians in the Libya. This comes under the UN’s “responsibility to protect”, a key part of the international institution’s goals.

This embargo prohibited UN Member states from arms trade agreements with the state. Due to the UN’s action, Syria lost state sovereignty through the blockage of trade channels, proving that the UN, as an institution of global governance, does pose an overall threat to the traditional role of a state and state sovereignty.

These two non-state actors clearly show how they pose a number of challenges to states in carrying out their traditional roles, evidently questioning the notion of state sovereignty.

miss shep:
thats a really good response !!!!  ;D ;D

can you help me with my essay question 
Evaluate the power and influence of the United Nations and two other institutions of global governance in the twenty first century.

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