1. DAAD – Alumni
Webinar
The Social Dimension of Global Governance
–
Rights and Voice for Labor
Session:
How can Trade Unions and NGOs influence
Global Economic Governance
Febr. 4, 2015
Prof. Dr. Christoph Scherrer

2. Premise
 Rules for the International Division of LaborRules 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 aTherefore, 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.

3. 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

4. Participants of Rule Making
 Governments / Courts
 International Organizations
 Professional Bodies
 Epistemic communities
 Civil society

5. 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

6. Policy making processPolicy making process
Problem IdentificationProblem Identification
Policy ImplementationPolicy Implementation
Policy LegitimatingPolicy Legitimating
Agenda settingAgenda setting
Policy FormulationPolicy Formulation
Policy EvaluationPolicy Evaluation
Design: Ana Bolsheva

7. Levels of Action
Street vs. Lobby
National – supranational –
international
Scale jumping – “Boomerang”

8. Trade Unions’ Strategies on TradeTrade Unions’ Strategies on Trade
RegimeRegime
MobilizationMobilizationMobilizationMobilization DialogDialogDialogDialog
SeattleSeattle WTO Ministerial ConferenceWTO Ministerial Conference
Design: Ana Bolsheva

9. Power of the “Street”
• Attracting attention – “Agenda
Setting”
• Forcing negotiations, because
– government wants order
– government fears electoral defeat
• Preconditions?

10. 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?

11. Conditions for Collective Action
• Political Opportunity Structure
• Resources
• Discursive powers

12. Political Opportunities
• Channels of access
– to government
– to international organizations
• Strong coalition partners
• Moments of delegitimation
How to make good on opportunity?

13. Resources
Money / time / expertise / commitment
Nationally: varies among countries
Internationally: scant
Pooling of resources across borders
Coalition building
Positive experiences

14. Conclusions
A voice in global economic
governance requires:
• Developing expertise
• Raising awareness
• Identifying points of access
• Finding the right balance between
mobilization and lobbying