Global PolityGlobal Polity

A global system of governance A global system of governance charged with protecting global public charged with protecting global public interestsinterests

Consists of…Consists of…– International treatiesInternational treaties– Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)– International nongovernmental International nongovernmental

organizations (INGOs)organizations (INGOs)

Global Public InterestsGlobal Public Interests

(1) To (1) To defenddefend public goods – peace public goods – peace and security for alland security for all

(2) To (2) To advanceadvance public interests – public interests – social and economic development social and economic development for allfor all

Global PolityGlobal Polity

arises with the growing arises with the growing recognition of world-level public recognition of world-level public interests, over and above the interests, over and above the interests of nation-statesinterests of nation-states (the (the global polity’s core constituents) global polity’s core constituents) and/or individuals (its secondary and/or individuals (its secondary constituents)constituents)

Not Just Any Global Not Just Any Global PolityPolity (1) It is stateless (and therefore (1) It is stateless (and therefore

powerless: it has no independent powerless: it has no independent control over the legitimate use of control over the legitimate use of violence)violence)

Operates on the basis of authority Operates on the basis of authority (expertise) rather than power (expertise) rather than power (force)(force)

Not Just Any Global Not Just Any Global PolityPolity

(2) It is a democracy(2) It is a democracy

Decision-making based on Decision-making based on majority rule expressed in votesmajority rule expressed in votes

Not Just Any Global Not Just Any Global PolityPolity (3) Its v(3) Its voting members are nation-oting members are nation-

states (states (political units consisting of political units consisting of autonomous states made up of autonomous states made up of peoples sharing a common culture, peoples sharing a common culture, history, and/or language)history, and/or language)

Does not intervene in the internal Does not intervene in the internal affairs of sovereign nation-statesaffairs of sovereign nation-states

Membership in the UNMembership in the UN

““Membership in the UN is open to Membership in the UN is open to all other peace-loving states all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter contained in the present Charter and, in the judgment of the and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations.”to carry out these obligations.”

Stateless Democracy in Action -- Stateless Democracy in Action -- Members of the International Members of the International Whaling CommissionWhaling Commission

AustriaBelgiumCroatiaCyprusCzech RepDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyLuxembourgMonaco

NetherlandsNorwayPortugalRussiaSan MarinoSlovak RepSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUKAntigua BelizeCosta RicaDominica

GrenadaGuatemalaMexicoNicaraguaPanamaSt. Kitts St. LuciaSt. VincentUSAArgentinaBrazilChileEcuadorPeruUruguaySuriname

BeninCameroonCôte d’IvoireGabonGambiaGuineaGuinea BissauKenyaMaliMauritaniaMoroccoSenegalS AfricaTogoAustraliaKiribati

Marshall IslNauruNew ZealandPalauSolomon IslTuvaluCambodiaChinaIndiaIsraelJapanS KoreaLaosMongoliaOman

Slovak Slovak RepubliRepublicc

MaliMali

MongoliaMongolia

Don’t Don’t Forget Forget IndividualIndividualss

Global Global INGOs INGOs 1875-1875-19731973

(Boli & Thomas (Boli & Thomas 1997)1997)

What’s New? Differences in What’s New? Differences in Degree… Degree… Treaty of Westphalia 1648 between the Holy Treaty of Westphalia 1648 between the Holy Roman Emperor & the King of France and their Roman Emperor & the King of France and their

Allies.Allies.

In the name of the most holy and individual In the name of the most holy and individual Trinity: Be it known to all, and every one Trinity: Be it known to all, and every one whom it may concern, or to whom in any whom it may concern, or to whom in any

manner it may belong, That for many Years manner it may belong, That for many Years past, Discords and Civil Divisions being stir'd past, Discords and Civil Divisions being stir'd up in the Roman Empire, which increas'd to up in the Roman Empire, which increas'd to

such a degree, that not only all Germany, but such a degree, that not only all Germany, but also the neighbouring Kingdoms, and France also the neighbouring Kingdoms, and France

particularly, have been involv'd in the particularly, have been involv'd in the Disorders of a long and cruel War…. Disorders of a long and cruel War….

……from whence ensu'd great Effusion of from whence ensu'd great Effusion of Christian Blood, and the Desolation of Christian Blood, and the Desolation of several Provinces. It has at last several Provinces. It has at last happen'd, by the effect of Divine happen'd, by the effect of Divine Goodness, seconded by the Goodness, seconded by the Endeavours of the most Serene Endeavours of the most Serene Republick of Venice, who in this sad Republick of Venice, who in this sad time, when all Christendom is time, when all Christendom is imbroil'd, has not ceas'd to contribute imbroil'd, has not ceas'd to contribute its Counsels for the publick Welfare its Counsels for the publick Welfare and Tranquillity; so that on the side, and Tranquillity; so that on the side, and the other, they have form'd and the other, they have form'd Thoughts of an universal Peace. Thoughts of an universal Peace.