In the era of globalization, it’s become almost routine for national leaders to explain controversial policies not as choices, but as obligations. Labor reforms are justified by international competitiveness. Budget cuts are blamed on rating agencies or global creditors. Immigration policies are framed as harmonizing with global norms. In each case, political discretion is downplayed, and international influence is presented as a force too powerful to resist.
This isn’t just global governance at work—it’s blame avoidance by design.
This article explores how domestic political actors invoke international models, standards, and institutions to deflect responsibility and obscure agency. Through the lens of problematization, we unpack the rhetorical and institutional tactics used to frame global reference points as inevitabilities, rather than as deliberate alignments. Far from being passive recipients of external influence, national leaders often actively mobilize international discourse to neutralize critique and stabilize power at home…
Enjoying the read? Subscribe to my Substack to get full access to this article and future posts delivered straight to your inbox. Stay informed, stay curious.