what is relation between politics and globalization? - Kim nayoung

 

1. Definition and Context of Political Globalization

Political globalization refers to the process in which countries cooperate to address problems that cannot be solved at a national level. Issues like environmental crises, pandemics, and war require multilateral responses, so organizations such as the UN, WHO, and WTO coordinate international communication, negotiate collective decisions, and influence regulatory standards. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war have shown that no single state can manage global emergencies alone. The Paris Climate Agreement, where nations collectively set carbon-reduction goals, and WHO’s declaration of a public health emergency to standardize global health protocols are typical examples of political globalization.

2. Understanding Cooperation Through the Pandemic

The concept of political globalization never felt concrete to me until I thought about the COVID crisis. Countries shared medical data, testing methods, and travel guidelines almost immediately, and without international coordination the competition for vaccines would have been far more chaotic. The COVAX system, for instance, helped ensure fair vaccine access for low-income states and demonstrated what coordinated governance could look like. Ministers and experts joined WHO emergency meetings to exchange information on virus variants and public health measures, which contributed to containing the worst outcomes of the pandemic. Seeing how political cooperation directly affected survival made political globalization feel real and necessary.

3. Weak Sovereignty and Growing Inequality

Despite these advantages, political globalization still carries major issues. As international bodies accumulate authority, the sovereignty of weaker nations becomes more fragile. Institutions like the UN Security Council still operate with a power structure dominated by strong states, meaning that the priorities of influential nations frequently outweigh international norms. The United States’ withdrawal and later reentry into the Paris Climate Agreement revealed how global standards can be reshaped by domestic politics. In the sanctions imposed during the Russia–Ukraine conflict, national interests again overshadowed the idea of neutral global justice. If this trend continues, political inequality may deepen, which means reforms—such as transparency, balanced representation, and protections for weak states—remain essential.

Comments

  1. jeong jiyoonDecember 18, 2025 at 5:44 AM

    Great post! I really liked how clearly you defined political globalization.
    I also totally agree with your critique of the current power structure centered around major nations, especially regarding how international bodies can sometimes infringe on the sovereignty of smaller states. For example, the veto power held by certain countries in the UN Security Council is often used to prioritize national interests over global justice, which I think perfectly illustrates the structural problem you pointed out. We definitely need more balanced global reforms.

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