Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Institutional Frameworks and Public Policy
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Introduction
The course offers a global overview of the international system, its operating rules, its institutions, as well as the main issues regarding the global agendas and actors.
Over the course of the program, we will examine the transitional phase that the international order is undergoing.
We will critically analyze the foundations of the international system established after the Second World War, its evolution, and the current moment of paradigm shift.Special mention is made of human rights and international cooperation for development.
- Understand the functioning of the international system.
- Understand the different legal frameworks and how they work.
- Differentiate between the legal and non-legal frameworks of the international system.
- Identify the different international actors (institutonal and non-institutional)
- Identify current trends in international governance.
- Analyse global agendas and associate their impact with territorial and regional dynamics
Pre-course requirements
No previous knowledge of the subject is necessary.
Objectives
- Establish the connections between the international system, its governance and the global dynamics.
- Approach international relations from the perspective of its institutions, actors and legal frameworks.
- Understand international formal and informal processes and their impact on global and local development.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- C100 - Diagnose root causes of inequality and apply theoretical and empirical development frameworks.
- C101 - Apply international cooperation models and NGO/development- entity governance frameworks.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- Understand the functioning of the international system.
- Understand the different legal frameworks and how they work.
- Differentiate between the legal and non-legal frameworks of the international system.
- Identify the different international actors.
- Identify current trends in international governance.
- Analyse global agendas and associate their impact with territorial dynamics.
Syllabus
1.- The International system and global governance:
Frameworks and actors. Concepts of international system, global system and global governance.
2.- International law and justice:
The international law as the basis for international behaviour and relations. Conceptualisation, evolution and implementation of the international justice.
3.- The United Nations system:
History, evolution and current state of United Nations. United Nations mandate, governance, bodies and agencies.
4.- The international regime of Human Rights:
Concept, history, significance and evolution.
5.- The international development cooperation system:
Overview of the history, evolution and current state of international development cooperation. Legal frameworks and commitments and public actors.
6.- Global agendas and the Pact for the Future:
International policy priorities and orientations. Special focus on climate, disaster management, development aid, gender, sustainable development and urban development. And the aftermath of the Summit for the Future (New York, September 2024), priorities and international commitments, the place of the <> (including the Sustainable Development Objectives) and the way forward.
7.- Global trends regarding the international arena:
Global patterns that are shaping the global agenda and international institutions.
8.- A new world scenario:
The universality and neutrality of international law versus its double standards, violation and breaches.
The international system appears to be in a state of flux, with the contours of a potential new world order beginning to emerge—though its final shape and implications are still unclear.
9.- Regional dynamics and contexts:
The dynamics and agendas in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and North America.
10.- The European Union and its institutional framework:
Principles, priorities, legal basis, institutions and functioning of the European Union.
11.- The European Union cooperation and development policy:
Legal framework, mandate, priorities and programs.
12.- City diplomacy and international networks of local governments:
Concept of city diplomacy. Role and recognition of local governments in the international arena.
Chapter 1 The International system and global governance.
Chapter 2 International law and justice.
Chapter 3 The United Nations system.
Chapter 4 The international regime of Human Rights.
Chapter 5 The international development cooperation system.
Chapter 6 Global Agendas and the Pact for the Future
Chapter 7 Global trends regarding the international arena.
Chapter 8 A new world scenario.
Chapter 9 Regional dynamics and contexts.
Chapter 10 The European Union and its institutional framework.
Chapter 11 The European Union cooperation and development policy.
Chapter 12 City diplomacy and international networks of local governments.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Combination of master classes, with readings, group discussions, case studies and critical analysis of texts and videos.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
- Class participation (25%)
- Presentations of assignments and essays, both individual and group-based (25%)
- Final video presentation (50%)
Bibliography and resources
- Borchard, Klaus-Dieter: The ABC of EU Law, Directorate-General for communications (European Commission), 164 p., 2023.
- Barber, Benjamin R.: If Mayors Ruled the World: Dysfunctional Nations, Rising Cities, Yale University Press, 423 p., 2013
- Clapham, Andrew: Human Rights: a very short introduction, Oxford University Press, 216 p., 2015
- Contested The Palgrave Handbook of Development Cooperation for Achieving the 2030 Agenda>>, Palgrave McMillan, 733 p., 2021
- Da Empoli, Giuliano: The Age of Predators. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2025.
- European Commission https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/index_en
- European Commission: DICI-Global Europe ‘Global Challenges’ thematic programme multi-annual indicative programme 2021-2027, 42 p., 2022
- Hanhimäki, Jussi M.: The United Nations: a very short introduction, Oxford University Press, 192 p., 2015
- Leus-Smit, Richard: International Relations: a very short introduction, Oxford University Press, 176 p., 2020
- Lowe, Vaughan: International Law: a very short introduction, Oxford University Press, 144 p., 2015
- National Intelligence Council: Global Trends 2040, 156 p., 2022
- OCDE: Development Co-operation Report 2024: Tackling Poverty and Inequalities through the Green Transition, OECD Publishing, 361 p., 2024
- United Cities and Local Governments: https://www.global-taskforce.org/
- United Nations: Pact for the Future, Rev. 4, 30 p., 2024
- Bracho, Gerardo & Alt.: Origins, evolution and future of global development cooperation, The role of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC), Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik gGmbH, 630 p., 2021