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Security in the Global Commons and Beyond

  • 2021
  • Book

About this book

This book deals with two areas: Global Commons and Security: inextricably melted together and more relevant than ever in a world which is ever globalized and… with an incognita looming on the horizon: the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic upon the International Relations and globalization.

Global Commons have always been relevant. It was Mahan who argued that the first and most obvious light in which the sea presents itself from the political and social point of view, is that of a great highway; or better, perhaps, of a wide common… Nowadays, this view has been further developed and, in addition to the unique legal implications that the Global Commons introduce, they are viewed, more and more intently, as a common pool of resources. Or perhaps, not that common… Resources, the key word! Which has to be always supplemented by two key words: access and security. And still, another one: data, the cyberspace contribution to the equation.

Table of Contents

  1. Frontmatter

  2. The Global Commons

    1. Frontmatter

    2. The Declaration of the South China Sea as a Global Common: Conflict Management and Environmental Protection

      Gracia Abad-Quintanal
      The chapter delves into the intricate dynamics of the South China Sea, a region rich in biodiversity and strategic importance. It discusses the concept of the South China Sea as a Global Common, highlighting the challenges posed by territorial disputes, resource exploitation, and geopolitical tensions. The text examines the role of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and various attempts at conflict resolution. It also emphasizes the urgent need for environmental protection and sustainable management of the area, proposing a return to the concept of a Global Common as a potential solution.
    3. The Exploitation of the Sea for Trade and Communication: The New Arctic Routes, Challenges, Conflicts and Prospects

      Fernando del Pozo
      The chapter begins by discussing the historical significance of sea routes in global trade and the transformative potential of the Arctic's melting ice. It delves into the challenges posed by the retreating ice, including environmental concerns, legal disputes, and technological limitations in navigation and communication. The text also explores the opportunities presented by the Northern Sea Route and the trans-polar route, highlighting the economic dynamics and strategic advantages they offer. It concludes by forecasting the future of Arctic traffic, emphasizing the need for substantial investment and patience to overcome the existing obstacles.
    4. Climate Change and Great Power Competition in the Arctic

      Ángel García Estrada
      This chapter delves into the geopolitical implications of climate change in the Arctic, focusing on the emerging shipping routes and the strategic interests of major players like Russia and China. It discusses the melting of polar caps and permafrost, the opening of new maritime routes, and the competitive dynamics between global powers. Russia's assertive stance on the Northern Sea Route is highlighted, along with China's growing influence and investments in the region. The chapter also touches on the positions of Canada and the US, emphasizing the complex interplay of sovereignty, resource exploitation, and military presence in the Arctic. The analysis underscores the importance of understanding these dynamics for anyone interested in global power shifts and the future of Arctic governance.
    5. The Future of Mining: The Exploitation of Marine Geological Resources as Global Commons

      Adolfo Maestro-González
      The chapter 'The Future of Mining: The Exploitation of Marine Geological Resources as Global Commons' delves into the historical and strategic importance of mineral resources for human development. It discusses the increasing demand for critical raw materials, particularly metals essential for high technologies and renewable energies. The chapter highlights the European Commission’s list of critical raw materials and their scarcity in European countries. It then shifts focus to the vast, unexplored potential of marine mineral resources, covering the history and types of marine mineral deposits, such as manganese nodules, cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts, and polymetallic sulphides. The chapter also explores the regulatory framework established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the role of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in managing these resources. It provides insights into the physiography of the ocean floor and the distribution of these valuable minerals. The chapter concludes by discussing the implications and potential of deep-sea mining, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices to minimize environmental impact.
    6. Outer Space and the Future of Humanity

      Federico Yaniz
      The chapter delves into the multifaceted importance of outer space, highlighting its composition and the ongoing exploration efforts. It discusses the critical role of space in humanity's future, including the significant milestones achieved in space exploration, such as the Apollo missions. The text also emphasizes the growing interest and investment in space by various countries and international organizations like NATO and the EU. It underscores the need for international cooperation in space governance to prevent conflicts and ensure the peaceful use of space. Additionally, the chapter touches upon the emerging challenges in space, such as space debris and the potential militarization of space, and the efforts being made to address these issues through international treaties and policies.
    7. Arms Control in Outer Space: A Diplomatic Alternative to Star Wars

      Paul Meyer
      The chapter discusses the diplomatic efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space, focusing on the Outer Space Treaty and various proposals for space security. It explores the historical context, including the early space activities of the US and USSR, and the development of the Outer Space Treaty in 1967. The chapter also delves into the challenges posed by military space programs and the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) proposed by President Reagan. It examines the diplomatic proposals put forward by different countries and organizations, such as the Sino-Russian draft treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the EU-initiated International Code of Conduct, and the Canadian proposals for space security confidence-building measures. The chapter also considers the role of the UN General Assembly and the Conference on Disarmament in these efforts. Additionally, it highlights the deteriorating strategic outlook and the need for renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space.
    8. The Outer Space as a New Theater of Operations; Some Ethical-Legal Considerations

      Juan Cayón, Saloomeh Yousefian
      The chapter delves into the transforming landscape of outer space as a new theater of military operations, highlighting the ethical and legal complexities that arise. It discusses the historical evolution of global commons, the challenges posed by the militarization of space, and the need for international cooperation to address these issues. The text also explores the potential consequences of a space conflict and the ethical considerations that must be taken into account. By offering a detailed analysis of the current state of space law and the implications of its potential disregard, the chapter provides valuable insights for professionals in the field of international law and military strategy.
    9. Cyberspace: An Advantageous Terrain for War?

      Giorgio Spagnol
      The chapter delves into the evolving role of cyberspace as a strategic domain, highlighting the unique challenges it presents to global security. It examines the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructures and the potential for cyber warfare to escalate tensions. Through case studies of Estonia, Iran, Ukraine, Russia, and China, the text illustrates the diverse ways states and non-state actors exploit cyberspace for political and military gain. The analysis underscores the urgent need for international cooperation and the establishment of clear norms to mitigate the risks posed by cyber threats. The chapter also discusses the role of organizations like NATO and the EU in cyber defense, emphasizing the importance of a collective and political approach to addressing these challenges.
    10. Cyberspace as a Global Common: Framing the Libyan War in RT, RTVE and La Sexta Television Videos

      José Manuel Moreno-Mercado, Óscar G. Luengo, Javier García-Marín
      This chapter delves into the role of new media and social networks in shaping political and sociological processes, with a particular focus on the Libyan war. It compares the framing of the conflict by RT, RTVE, and La Sexta, aiming to provide empirical evidence on Russia's disinformation tactics. The study uses framing theory to analyze the use of 'security' and 'human drama' frames in the media coverage of the Libyan war. The findings reveal significant differences in the framing strategies used by the Russian media compared to traditional Spanish media, with RT exhibiting a predominantly 'security' frame while RTVE and La Sexta lean towards the 'human drama' frame. This comparative analysis offers valuable insights into the unique behavior of Russian media in disinformation campaigns and its impact on public opinion.
    11. Does Foreign Cyber Intervention in Electoral Processes Violate International Law?

      Sonia Boulos
      The chapter delves into the legal implications of cyber interference in foreign elections, focusing on three key principles of international law: state sovereignty, non-intervention, and the right to self-determination. It argues that while such interference often falls into a legal gray area, the right to self-determination offers a stronger framework for analyzing and potentially condemning these actions. The analysis covers the historical context of election meddling, the specifics of cyber operations, and the challenges in applying existing legal principles to these new forms of intervention. The chapter concludes by highlighting the need for a more robust legal framework to address the growing threat of cyber interference in democratic processes.
    12. The Old City of Jerusalem: From the Tragedy of the Common to Ostrom’s Solution

      Alberto Priego
      The chapter delves into the historical and etymological origins of the common, framing the Old City of Jerusalem as a common-pool resource. It analyzes the city’s development through the lenses of public, private, and club goods, and proposes Elinor Ostrom’s eight principles as a framework for a common property regime to manage the city’s sacred sites. This approach aims to prevent the Old City from being an obstacle to peace negotiations, offering a novel solution to the enduring conflict between Arabs and Israelis.
  3. Beyond the Global Commons

    1. Frontmatter

    2. Personal Data: The New Black Gold

      Added Value of Personal Data in the Context of International Security Marcos García-Gasco Romero
      The chapter 'Personal Data: The New Black Gold' delves into the crucial role of personal data in the context of international security within the commercial aviation industry. It begins by highlighting the economic significance of commercial aviation, which has shown remarkable resilience despite external shocks. The chapter then explores the evolution of security measures in aviation, from the early days of commercial flights to the post-9/11 era, emphasizing the comprehensive international legal frameworks that have emerged to combat security threats. A key focus is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has become a global standard for data protection. The chapter discusses the tension between data protection and the need for intensive personal data processing in the context of aviation security. It also examines the practical applications of personal data in enhancing aviation safety, such as the use of biometrics and wearable technologies, while underscoring the ethical and legal challenges that arise from such practices. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for strong privacy safeguards and accountability mechanisms to build trust in the responsible use of personal data in the aviation industry.
    3. The Financial Perspective in the Fight Against the Crime of Human Trafficking: The Case of Spain

      Tania García Sedano
      This chapter delves into the financial aspects of human trafficking, a lucrative and widespread crime that often goes unnoticed. It discusses the economic dimension of human trafficking and the need for robust financial investigations to disrupt these criminal networks. The text emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and effective legal frameworks in seizing and confiscating the proceeds of human trafficking. Additionally, it highlights the role of the public sector and the need for training and awareness programs to combat this crime effectively. The chapter also explores the challenges and obstacles in implementing financial investigations and the lack of clear legal definitions for some of the most serious forms of exploitation. Overall, the text underscores the necessity of a multi-faceted approach to tackle human trafficking, with a strong focus on its economic underpinnings.
    4. Food Security: The Sea and the Sustainable Fight Against Global Hunger

      Combining the Sustainable Development Goals Life Below Water and Zero Hunger: The Sea as a Great Ally in the Sustainable Fight Against Global Hunger Pablo Morón-Elorza
      The chapter delves into the critical role of the sea in ensuring global food security, particularly in the context of a rapidly growing population. It discusses the challenges posed by human activities, such as climate change and environmental degradation, on marine ecosystems and food production. The text emphasizes the potential of aquaculture as a sustainable solution to meet the increasing demand for protein-rich foods. It also explores the benefits of fish as a nutritious and affordable food source, as well as the environmental advantages of aquaculture over traditional wild-caught fishing. The chapter underscores the need for further research and stringent quality controls to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of aquaculture practices. By combining insights from marine biology, sustainability, and food security, this chapter offers a compelling case for leveraging the sea to combat global hunger and promote sustainable development.
    5. Coexistence in School: A Proposal for Preventing Violence

      Valentín Martínez-Otero
      The chapter delves into the multifaceted causes of school violence, including social inequalities, media influence, fragile relationships, family issues, and school climate. It highlights the urgent need for prevention strategies, emphasizing the importance of a pedagogy for coexistence that promotes positive relationships and communication. The text also explores effective interventions such as discipline, mediation, and social competence development, aiming to create a safe and supportive school environment. By addressing the complexity of school violence, the chapter offers valuable insights for educators, psychologists, and social workers seeking to implement effective prevention and intervention programs.
  4. Backmatter

Title
Security in the Global Commons and Beyond
Editors
J. Martín Ramírez
Bartolomé Bauzá-Abril
Copyright Year
2021
Electronic ISBN
978-3-030-67973-6
Print ISBN
978-3-030-67972-9
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67973-6

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