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Focal Times and Spaces: How Ethnography Foregrounds the Spatiotemporality of International Organizations and Global Governance

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  • Julian Eckl

Abstract

Drawing on a long‐term political ethnography of sites of global health governance, the paper makes methodological and substantive contributions. First of all, it shows that ethnography induces researchers to experience international organizations (IOs) and global governance as spatiotemporal phenomena. This experience overlaps with the lived realities of practitioners and spotlights aspects that are otherwise easily overlooked. Both practitioners and ethnographers have to be in specific spaces at particular times. This practical challenge illustrates that there are focal times and spaces, which are linked to the cyclical and sited character of global health governance. These focal times and spaces provide an important coordination mechanism and ease the general flow of knowledge – within IOs and between IOs and their environment. However, there is also the constant danger that they develop a self‐referential life of their own and become disconnected from other processes. Similarly, not just researchers but also practitioners are struggling to develop a comprehensive understanding of IOs since they experience them only partially and in specific settings. Thus, a spatiotemporal account highlights both overlooked links and unexpected disconnections. The conclusion mentions that the current – COVID‐19‐induced – mainstreaming of digital technologies will impact the spatiotemporal dimension of global health governance.

Suggested Citation

  • Julian Eckl, 2021. "Focal Times and Spaces: How Ethnography Foregrounds the Spatiotemporality of International Organizations and Global Governance," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S7), pages 34-44, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:glopol:v:12:y:2021:i:s7:p:34-44
    DOI: 10.1111/1758-5899.12908
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. James Worrall, 2021. "'Your Own Space and Time': Spatiality and Temporality in the Study of the International Organisations of the Middle East," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S7), pages 45-54, December.
    2. Devi Sridhar & Ngaire Woods, 2013. "Trojan Multilateralism: Global Cooperation in Health," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 4(4), pages 325-335, November.
    3. David Held & Ilona Kickbusch & Kyle McNally & Dario Piselli & Michaela Told, 2019. "Gridlock, Innovation and Resilience in Global Health Governance," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 10(2), pages 161-177, May.
    4. Kari De Pryck, 2021. "Controversial Practices: Tracing the Proceduralization of the IPCC in Time and Space," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S7), pages 80-89, December.
    5. Luciana Campos, 2021. "Understanding Change in International Organizations Across Time and Spaces: The Rise of UN Country Teams," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S7), pages 55-67, December.
    6. Lucile Maertens & Leah R. Kimber & Fanny Badache & Emilie Dairon, 2021. "Time and space in the study of international organizations: An introduction," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S7), pages 5-13, December.
    7. Emilie Dairon & Fanny Badache, 2021. "Understanding International Organizations’ Headquarters as Ecosystems: The Case of Geneva," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S7), pages 24-33, December.
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    1. James Worrall, 2021. "'Your Own Space and Time': Spatiality and Temporality in the Study of the International Organisations of the Middle East," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S7), pages 45-54, December.
    2. Kari De Pryck, 2021. "Controversial Practices: Tracing the Proceduralization of the IPCC in Time and Space," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S7), pages 80-89, December.
    3. Leah R. Kimber & Lucile Maertens, 2021. "Experiencing Time and Space within the United Nations," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S7), pages 14-23, December.
    4. Emilie Dairon & Fanny Badache, 2021. "Understanding International Organizations’ Headquarters as Ecosystems: The Case of Geneva," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S7), pages 24-33, December.

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