The topic of globalization and its deep impact on economies and societies in every corner of the globe has been both a source of praise and of anxiety. Globalization has become, as well, a growing preoccupation among university scholars and students.
Responding to this increased concern and interest, members of the Duke faculty began in the fall of 1997 to bring notable scholars in a variety of disciplines to discuss the problems of globalization and equity in a yearlong seminar, originally entitled Seminar on Globalization and Equity, organized by professors Peter Lange, Robert Keohane, Fritz Mayer and Gary Gereffi. The seminar received its initial support from by the Provost's Common Fund.
"It was a timely seminar," Professor Mayer said. "The issues we identified there dealt with the tensions between economic globalization and questions of equity and fairness. It was a space to look at both the pros and cons of the effects of globalization."
Over the past nine years, the seminar has opened and sustained a discussion among Duke faculty members and graduate students on theoretical issues surrounding the topics of globalization and equity. The seminar brings both senior and junior scholars to campus to have this discussion, exploring the role of national and transnational institutions in promoting or inhibiting transparency, so crucial to equity in a global system.
In its second year, the seminar received a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support a Sawyer Seminar, which allowed Globalization and Equity to host a series of prominent scholars, including UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata, and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.
The seminar eventually evolved to become the University Seminar on Globalization, Equity and Democratic Governance to encourage the analysis of the implications of globalization on emerging democratic institutions. Following years brought many additional prominent figures, including another Nobel laureate, Joseph Stiglitz, as well as more junior faculty.
Beginning in fall 2000, the seminar received continuing support from the US Department of Education as part of a grant to the Duke University Center for International Studies.
A decade after its inception the seminar continues under the name of University Seminar on Global Governance and Democracy.
Now under the leadership of Duke professor Judith Kelley and UNC professor Layna Mosley, the seminar continues the tradition of bringing senior and junior scholars to campus to discuss these issues.
This interaction between students from multiple academic disciplines and public scholars who speak on a variety of topics really emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the seminar, Büthe said.
This year (2007-2008), the seminar is sponsored by the Duke University Center for International Studies with support from the US Department of Education. Additional support comes from the Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs.