Global Democracy
10.
In the community of nations, we subscribe to the general principle of democracy but with important variations. Nations are considered equal even though we know they are not. In the United Nations and the WTO, every member has one vote, and small countries with populations of less than ten million are in the majority, which is good for small countries like Singapore. But size and power do matter. The five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council were the victorious powers after the Second World War and the proposal to increase the number of Permanent Members is the subject of endless dispute. When President Bush recently called a meeting to discuss a new global financial architecture, only leaders of the G20 countries were invited. This is the reality of the world.
11.
As with democracy within each country, it is better that we take a pragmatic approach to democracy among the community of nations. We cannot act on the basis of abstract principles. Imagine the whole world voting for the UN Secretary General on the basis of one-human being-one-vote. Even if it could be practically done, such a procedure would never be accepted by many countries.
12.
We are more likely to improve global governance by making adjustments which are realistic and incremental. Reforming the UN is doable if we don't try to be too ambitious. Creating a new global financial architecture in the world is best done by renovating existing institutions in a way which acknowledges the new multi-polar reality. Making progress on the Doha Development Agenda is possible if the key protagonists make compromises which respect each other's political needs. Putting together a post-Kyoto agreement on climate change requires the US, China, India and others to buy in, but not at too high a political price. None of this is easily accomplished but the alternative of failing will have disastrous consequences for all of us.
10.
In the community of nations, we subscribe to the general principle of democracy but with important variations. Nations are considered equal even though we know they are not. In the United Nations and the WTO, every member has one vote, and small countries with populations of less than ten million are in the majority, which is good for small countries like Singapore. But size and power do matter. The five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council were the victorious powers after the Second World War and the proposal to increase the number of Permanent Members is the subject of endless dispute. When President Bush recently called a meeting to discuss a new global financial architecture, only leaders of the G20 countries were invited. This is the reality of the world.
11.
As with democracy within each country, it is better that we take a pragmatic approach to democracy among the community of nations. We cannot act on the basis of abstract principles. Imagine the whole world voting for the UN Secretary General on the basis of one-human being-one-vote. Even if it could be practically done, such a procedure would never be accepted by many countries.
12.
We are more likely to improve global governance by making adjustments which are realistic and incremental. Reforming the UN is doable if we don't try to be too ambitious. Creating a new global financial architecture in the world is best done by renovating existing institutions in a way which acknowledges the new multi-polar reality. Making progress on the Doha Development Agenda is possible if the key protagonists make compromises which respect each other's political needs. Putting together a post-Kyoto agreement on climate change requires the US, China, India and others to buy in, but not at too high a political price. None of this is easily accomplished but the alternative of failing will have disastrous consequences for all of us.
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