Global Governance in the Existential Age – Part 1
On 4 October, Professor Kevin P. Clements and Helen Clark led a discussion on strategies for fostering a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world in the face of global challenges. The event addressed the growing threats of climate change, economic inequality, and political instability, highlighting the struggles of multilateral institutions like the United Nations and ongoing conflicts in regions such as Ukraine, the Middle East, and Africa. Hosted by MP Ingrid Leary, the conversation explored practical approaches to mitigating these crises and promoting global peace and cooperation, with a focus on New Zealand’s role in navigating these turbulent times.
This event was co-organised by: New Zealand Centre of Global Studies (NZCGS), SGI-New Zealand, Toda Peace Institute, NZ Institute of International Affairs Wellington Branch, United Nations Association of New Zealand, Wellington Interfaith Council.
By Libby Giles, Director
Libby Giles is the Director of NZCGS. She specialises in global citizenship education, which she sees as a key tool in response to global challenges and that sits at the heart of all the Centre’s kaupapa.
December 20, 2021
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Kennedy – Should global governance follow the democratic or more autocratic form? Would a Chinese totalitarian model work best at bringing all of the global interests together? Is it even possible to think of global governance in a diverse world of democratic and non-democratic states, each with their own set of domestic priorities and systems of governance? And is a truly global democracy just a pipe dream?
Hello Ray,
The ‘slight’ delay in responding is not due to excessive reflection on my part, but rather awaiting the revamped website.
You raise interesting and challenging questions. To some extent, perhaps, they are answered in my Part II that followed this.
But, directly in answer, I suggest the following:
1. Should global governance follow the democratic or more autocratic form?
Neither. ‘Global Governance’ is simply a revamped 21st c. version of the UN Charter that governs relations among Member States regarding the lawful use of force and the regulation of armaments. Beyond respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, it does not direct each Member State as to how liberal / autocratic its domestic order is to be.
2. Would a Chinese totalitarian model work best at bringing all of the global interests together?
No, obviously not; but that is answered in 1 above.
3. Is it even possible to think of global governance in a diverse world of democratic and non-democratic states, each with their own set of domestic priorities and systems of governance?
Yes, for reasons in 1 above.
And is a truly global democracy just a pipe dream?
Yes, the pipe-dream is in requiring universal agreement among 8 billion people / 193 Member States to have the same domestic order as you / I / the West / others might subjectively wish. That is not a precondition, and is in fact a repudiation, of ‘global governance.
So, it all depends on the definition, and a consensus understanding, of ‘global governance’. I suggest that it simply means that, with respect to the three or four existential global problems we face, we need a form of legitimate global governance, irrespective of domestic political differences.
TBC, no doubt! Thanks for the comments.