Global governance - overview & comparison grids - examples
18 named examples with their significance, drawn from the Panther database. Read them, then test yourself.
In test mode, tap an example to reveal why it matters.
The examples
2007/2008 global financial crisis(tap to reveal)- The 2007-08 financial crisis originated in US subprime mortgage lending, spreading through globalised financial markets to cause worldwide recession.
COP29 Baku and the Climate Finance Deal (2024)(2035)(tap to reveal)- $300bn/year climate finance pledged to developing nations by 2035. Developing nations demanded $1.3tn. Shows North-South tensions in global governance and limits of multilateral agreement on climate.
GATT to WTO Transition (1948-1995)(tap to reveal)- General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (1948) replaced by World Trade Organization (1995). Shows evolution of trade governance toward more formal institution.
International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966)(tap to reveal)- Expanded UDHR into legally binding covenants. Established International Bill of Human Rights setting international standards for state behavior.
Rio Earth Summit and UNFCCC (1992)(tap to reveal)- The 1992 Rio Earth Summit established the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the basis for all subsequent international climate negotiations. It created the COP (Conference of Parties) structure, distinguished between developed and developing state responsibilities, and identified CO2 as the key greenhouse gas to address. The first COP met in Berlin in 1995.
UN Charter (1945)(tap to reveal)- Founding charter of United Nations establishing "universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction." Established international human rights regime.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)(tap to reveal)- Adopted by UN General Assembly in 1948. First internationally agreed statement of civil, political, and social freedoms. Based on "inherent dignity" of all humans. Formed basis of global human rights law.
1997 Asian Financial Crisis(tap to reveal)- The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis began with the Thai baht collapse and spread rapidly across East Asia, requiring IMF bailouts with strict conditions.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Challenge to Western Financial Hegemony (2016-present)(2016-present)(tap to reveal)- AIIB: Chinese-led development bank, 109 members, 2016. Provides infrastructure loans across Asia. Seen as alternative to IMF/World Bank. China holds largest voting share. 57 founding members despite US opposition; UK joined against US wishes.
Fridays for Future and Greta Thunberg: NSA Climate Pressure (2018-)(tap to reveal)- In August 2018 Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish student, began striking outside the Swedish Parliament on Fridays demanding action on climate change. The movement spread globally, with 4 million people striking in September 2019 in what was the largest climate protest in history. Studies in Germany showed FFF strikes directly increased politicians' attention to climate policy.
Soviet Union collapse (1991)(tap to reveal)- The Soviet Union formally dissolved in December 1991, ending the Cold War and leaving the US as the world's sole superpower.
Trump presidency (America First)(tap to reveal)- The Trump administration (2017-21) withdrew from the Paris Agreement, Trans-Pacific Partnership and Iran nuclear deal, questioning multilateral commitments in favour of bilateral deals.
UNHCR and the Global Refugee Crisis (2015-present)(2023)(tap to reveal)- 100m+ displaced persons globally (2023). UNHCR mandate vs state sovereignty over borders. EU externalisation of borders (Libya, Rwanda plans). Shows tension between human rights norms and state sovereignty in practice.
US-China Trade War and Tariff Escalation (2018-25)(2025)(tap to reveal)- Trump imposed 25% tariffs on $250bn Chinese goods (2018). Biden maintained most. Trump 2025: 145% tariffs threatened. China retaliated. Shows limits of WTO dispute mechanisms and economic interdependence as constraint on conflict.
Washington Consensus and Structural Adjustment Programmes (1980s-2000s)(1980s-2000s (ongoing evolution))(tap to reveal)- The Washington Consensus: IMF and World Bank loan conditions from 1980s required "stabilize, privatize and liberalize": cut public spending, privatise, deregulate. SAPs imposed these conditions on developing countries needing IMF/World Bank loans.
Affordable Care Act: Survival Under Attack (2010-present)(2015)(tap to reveal)- Survived NFIB v Sebelius (2012) 5-4. Survived King v Burwell (2015). 50+ House repeal votes. Senate repeal failed 51-49 (McCain). Shows interaction of all three branches. Roberts upheld despite being conservative appointee.
Amnesty International and Universal Human Rights (1961 to present)(1961-present)(tap to reveal)- Amnesty International, founded 1961, has over 10 million members in 150 countries. It documents abuses, lobbies governments, and has contributed to the creation of the ICC and to the release of hundreds of prisoners of conscience.
Bosnia/Srebrenica: Failure of Humanitarian Intervention (1995)(tap to reveal)- UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR) was deployed in Bosnia but given a weak mandate: protect aid convoys, not civilians. In July 1995, Serb forces captured the UN safe area of Srebrenica and massacred approximately 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys in the worst atrocity in Europe since World War II. UN forces stood by. NATO eventually intervened with airstrikes and the Dayton Agreement ended the conflict.