Viscount Bennett Lecture Delivered by Professor Stephen Clarkson
On March 18th, UNB Law welcomed Professor Stephen Clarkson to deliver the thirty-first Viscount Bennett Memorial Lecture. Professor Clarkson's lecture, "Globalization's Perilous Imbalance: Constraints for Canada's Governments, Opportunities for Canadian Citizens", was well attended by law students, faculty members, and community members.
In his talk, Professor Clarkson described globalization's evolution beginning with the end of the cold-war. He explained that the principle of national sovereignty dominated global governance for fifty years following WWII. However, since the establishment of the World Trade Organization, state sovereignty has to a certain extent given way to a global constitution. In making his case for the existence of an external constitution, Professor Clarkson illustrated examples of internationally binding rules, rights, and obligations.
Professor Clarkson argued that the external constitution needs scholarly attention because of the divide between the various forms of soft and hard law in international governance. In certain situations, some of the hard rules established under various treaties can come into conflict with soft commitments made in other forums. This conflict can put governments in the unfortunate position of having to violate soft commitments for fear of breaching hard rules. However, citizens groups can play an important role in helping to push back against government inaction, where appropriate, and by working with government as a resource and catalyst for change.
Professor Clarkson's main interests lie in the relationship between states and markets. You can learn more about Professor Stephen Clarkson by viewing his biography.
