Chapter 10: When Aliens Land – Global Governance and International Cooperation

Introduction

Global problems are like bad group projects: everyone has a stake in the outcome, but no one can succeed without teamwork. Whether it’s tackling climate change, responding to pandemics, or preventing conflicts, the challenges facing the world today require collective action. Understanding how countries, organizations, and even non-state actors come together to address these shared issues is what global governance is all about. It’s not just about paperwork and endless debates in UN conference rooms—it’s about finding ways to manage crises that no single nation can solve on its own. From the collective defense of military alliances to the humanitarian work of NGOs, global governance shows us what cooperation (and sometimes a lack of it) looks like in practice. As we’ll see, even in science fiction, these ideas hold up.

The film Arrival offers a perfect case study for understanding global governance. When mysterious alien ships land across the globe, the nations of the world must figure out how to respond: should they work together or act alone? The film captures the complexities of international cooperation, the fragility of trust, and the consequences of miscommunication—key themes in global governance. It also shows us the power of non-state actors, as Louise Banks, a linguist, steps into the role of mediator, much like NGOs often do in real-world crises. Plus, it’s proof that even alien first contact can devolve into a classic political mess. So, whether we’re trying to save the planet or figure out how to say “hello” in Heptapod, this chapter will explore the real-world systems and organizations—like the United Nations, regional groups like NATO and ASEAN, and the vital work of NGOs—that help humanity face its toughest challenges.

SPOILER WARNING: This chapter will reference specific characters and events from the film Arrival, some of which may spoil major plot points. If you would like to watch the film before you continue, I highly recommend it. HCC students can watch the film for free through our library’s Swank account here: Arrival (2016) Not an HCC student? Check your streaming platforms or local library for access!