Panelists:
Ed Kolodziej, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Chair)
Jeanie Bukowski, Associate Professor of International Studies at Bradley University
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Contextualizing Globalization for Students and Citizens – The Governing Globalization symposium is anchored in the scholarship of Ed Kolodziej, who has evaluated the possible governance of the global society by the interconnected and interdependent peoples and states of the world. Governance of this society, he argues, must encompass democratic responses to three imperatives: order, welfare and legitimacy. It is within this framework that the scholars and panelists participating in the symposium explore the problems, challenges and opportunities presented by globalization. Whether or not the world’s citizens and states are able to respond adequately to the very real challenges presented by globalization depends largely upon how well they understand the unprecedented situation in which they find themselves. It is thus crucial for scholars and teachers to develop robust curricula, including experiential learning opportunities, on all aspects of globalization at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To that end, undergraduate research is a cornerstone of this conference. In order for globalization to be unpacked and understood in both its embrace and rejection, it is critical that we focus our efforts sharply on developing and disseminating the type of scholarship represented in the Governing Globalization symposium, despite the challenges facing higher education, science and the media.
Srinivasan Sitaraman, Associate Professor of Political Science at Clark University
- ‘America First’ is Making China Great Again and Russia is Right in the Mix: Trump’s Foreign Policy in Age of Xi and Putin and its Bearing on South China Sea and Indian Ocean Region – Trump’s ‘America First’ policy and the clumsy dalliance with the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, and the variety of intelligence leaks and claims of hacking have sowed the seeds of confusion in the U.S-Russia relationship. While Mr. Trump was touting his friendship with the Russian president, his inexperienced UN Ambassador, Ms. Nikki Haley, was criticizing Russia for its policies in Ukraine and Crimea in the floor of the UN Security Council. This muddled messaging and the mutual admiration between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin has not translated into effective partnership in dealing with the Syrian civil war or in the battle against ISIS. Both Russia and Syria vetoed an American sponsored resolution in the UN that condemned the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons against civilians. Mr. Trump repeatedly invoked the bogeyman of China during his campaign and attacked China’s trade and currency policies, but his decision to preemptively withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement sends the message that it is unwilling to support its Asian partners against China. During his Senate confirmation hearings, Mr. Rex Tillerson, the new American Secretary of State, recommended that the United States should block China’s access to the disputed islands. The Chinese government reacted by warning of devastating consequences and a large-scale war in the South-China Sea. Mr. Trump’s reversal on the one-China policy demonstrates that his administration is rather clueless on how to confront China. There is enormous uncertainty surrounding Mr. Trump’s policy towards South China Sea and towards China in general.
Richard Ned Lebow, Professor of International Political Theory at King’s College, London
- Equality, Fairness, Political Stability – Equality and fairness are the two dominant principles of justice. The modern era is in part defined by changes in their relative importance for people and in their definitions. These shifts have important implications for political change and stability and can help explain the current crisis of Western democracy.