Global Governance: A Reality, Not a Conspiracy Theory

Understanding Global Governance

Global governance is increasingly becoming a reality in our time. This is not a fabrication spun by conspiracy theorists, but rather a concept that is openly discussed by politicians, academics, policymakers, and officials from the United Nations. However, it's not exactly a single world government that's emerging, but rather a complex amalgamation of interconnected institutions, organizations, networks, systems, and forums, often referred to as a 'bricolage' by international relations theorists. This vast, nebulous conglomeration doesn't have a central authority.

The Evolution of Global Governance

However, this doesn't imply that global governance is spontaneously emerging. Rather, it is being intentionally directed. This is not a hidden agenda; the individuals involved openly discuss their plans. This has been happening for a while. In the early 1990s, following the end of the Cold War, the UN established the Commission on Global Governance. The final report, titled 'Our Global Neighbourhood', released in 1995, provides a fascinating insight into the strategies and arguments that have shaped the global governance project over the past three decades.

The Rationale Behind Global Governance

The fundamental premise is that in the past, when governments were trusted to protect and improve the lives of their citizens, the nation-state was the dominant entity. However, with the integration of the world economy, the expansion of the global capital market, extraordinary industrial and agricultural growth, and a massive population explosion, we are living in a "more crowded, interdependent world with finite resources". This necessitates a "new vision for humanity" that will inspire higher levels of cooperation in areas of shared concern and destiny. In essence, we need a globally agreed framework for actions and policies to be implemented at appropriate levels, and a multifaceted strategy for global governance.

Global Governance in the Modern Context

The central argument is that global governance is necessary due to globalisation, which brings with it global problems that require collective solutions. This logic is deeply ingrained in the minds of those involved in the global governance project, as their rhetoric has remained consistent over the years. Fast forward to 2024, world leaders are finalising a revised draft of UN Secretary-General António Guterres's proposed 'Pact for the Future', a memorandum of guiding principles for global governance, which is the culmination of his 'Our Common Agenda' project launched in 2021. The arguments presented in this document echo those made in 'Our Global Neighbourhood'.

Global Governance: A Necessity or a Risk?

However, it's crucial to critically examine this discourse of global governance. There are three primary areas of inquiry. First, are the problems identified by global governance advocates truly beyond the capacity of individual states to manage? Second, is it accurate to claim that without global governance, these problems would lead to "permanent crisis and breakdown"? Lastly, is global governance itself a risk, or does it exacerbate existing risks rather than mitigate them?

Global Governance: A Fragilising Force?

Global governance can potentially lead to the worldwide imposition of misguided public policies due to groupthink among a select group of globalised political, academic, third sector, and business circles. This puts all policy decisions in one basket, thereby amplifying the risk of failure. Furthermore, the project of global governance brings unique risks that are often overlooked by its proponents. The greatest risk, as highlighted by Peter Thiel in a recent interview, is the emergence of a totalitarian world government from which there is no escape. This represents the extinction of human freedom, which is far more damaging than any individual pathogen, trade war, environmental disaster, or financial crisis.

Bottom Line

Ultimately, the real risks we face may not be the result of an interconnected world, but rather the political risks that arise from attempts to manage these through global governance. In other words, our problem is government itself, and that is a problem that global governance is uniquely incapable of solving. What are your thoughts on this perspective? Do you agree or disagree? Share this article with your friends and let's start a conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.