“In this thoughtful and thought-provoking book, Josep Colomer demonstrates that effective institutions of global governance exist. A single world government is neither possible nor desirable. But it is also unnecessary. Instead, anumber of effective institutions already carry out essential functions of world governance. Moreover, in spite of worries about ‘democratic deficits’, those institutions are able to meet the essential requirements of an effective democracy: representation, competence, consensus, and accountability.”
Martin Wolf
Chief Economics Commentator, Financial Times
Author(s): Josep M Colomer
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2014
Language: English
Pages: 231
Tags: Globalisation, Institutions, Great Powers, World Government
List of Illustrations vii
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction
1. World Government Is Here 3
Part I Who Rules
2. Network Goods Are Served by Simple Bureaus 17
3. Unanimity Rule Failed to Make the World More Secure 31
4. A Great-Powers’ Directorate Has Averted the
Third World War 37
5. Weights and Coalitions for Finance and Development 49
6. Equal Vote Does Not Favor Global Trade 61
7. The World’s Self-Appointed Steering Committee 71
Part II How They Rule
8. Domestic Politics Does Not Make Policy 87
9. Global Representation Requires Rotation of Countries 101
10. Effective Decisions Are Made by Means of Weighted Votes 113
11. Expert Rulers Replace Politicians and Diplomats 123
12. Policy Consensus Is Built with More Ideas Than Votes 137
13. Nonelectoral Accountability Is Based on
Performance and Values 145
vi CO N T E N T S
Conclusion
14. Can Global Democracy Exist? 161
Appendix 1: Size of Global Institutions 175
Appendix 2: Rules and Procedures of Global Institutions 177
Appendix 3: What a World Assembly Could Look Like 181
Sources and Further Reading 187
References 203
Index 217
ILLUSTRATIONS
