Trade unions and NGOs can influence global economic governance through mobilization like protests or lobbying within existing structures. They have limited participation currently. To have more voice, they must develop expertise on issues, raise awareness, identify ways to engage in international organizations or with governments, and balance mobilization with lobbying and dialogue. Success requires political opportunities, resources, and building cross-border coalitions to strengthen their role in the rule making process.

1. "How can Trade Unions and Non-Governmental Organizations influence Global
Economic Governance?"

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

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

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

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

11. 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?

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

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

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

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