The Formation of Global Norms in a Changing World Order

Overview

The Formation of Global Norms in a Changing World Order at Tallinn University will evaluate the formation of global norms within the context of the changing world order, which his seeing a reduced role for the United States as well as more diversity of regime type and ideologies. 

This will create multiple problems for the formation of global norms. The role that regions can play in establishing norms and international regimes will be studied. Also, what the changing world order means for the ability of small states to play a part in the formation of norms will be highlighted. Together examples of cyber security norms, environmental, trade, and other norms will be studied in depth.

Reasons for opening the course: The world is currently in turmoil as the post-World War two liberal world order transitions into the great unknown. 

As non-Western countries grow their influence, the way that global norms and international law are formed will have to adapt. As a member state of NATO and the EU, Estonia has benefited greatly from the liberal world order. Understanding what this change means for Estonia and how a small state like Estonia can operate within it will be one of the goals of the course.

Why this course?

• This course helps the students to understand the factors contributing to the changing world order and the impact the changing world order will have on the stability of current global norms as well as the formation of new global norms.

• The course is multidisciplinary in nature, being based on the disciplines of Law and International Relations (IR). The approach of the course is to take several complementary frameworks into account when explaining the changing world order and the formation of global norms.

• The course is beneficial for students with a variety of educational backgrounds, including IR, law, economics, sociology, history, human geography, political science, and more.