What examples show the tension between state sovereignty and global governance?

Examples of the tension between state sovereignty and global governance include climate change policies, international human rights laws, and global trade agreements.

Climate change policies are a clear example of this tension. States have the sovereign right to exploit their natural resources as they see fit. However, the global governance of climate change, through agreements like the Paris Agreement, requires states to limit their greenhouse gas emissions. This often means changing the way they use their resources, which can be seen as an infringement on their sovereignty. For example, the United States, under President Trump, withdrew from the Paris Agreement citing it as a threat to the country's sovereignty and economic growth.

International human rights laws also illustrate this tension. The United Nations, as a global governance body, has established a set of universal human rights that all member states are expected to uphold. However, some states argue that these laws infringe on their sovereignty. For instance, China has often been criticised for its human rights record, particularly in relation to its treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority. However, China argues that its policies are a matter of internal affairs and thus, any international criticism or intervention is an infringement on its sovereignty.

Global trade agreements, such as those negotiated through the World Trade Organisation (WTO), can also create tension between state sovereignty and global governance. These agreements often require states to adjust their domestic policies to meet international standards, which can be seen as an infringement on their sovereignty. For example, the WTO's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) has been criticised for limiting states' ability to implement public health measures, such as compulsory licensing of pharmaceuticals, that are deemed necessary for their populations.

In all these examples, the tension arises from the balance between the rights of states to govern their own affairs and the need for global cooperation to address issues that transcend national borders. This tension is a fundamental aspect of global politics and is likely to continue as the world becomes increasingly interconnected.