The Problem of Global Governance

To say that the issue of global governance presents a challenge would be a significant understatement. Faced with a multitude of issues such as social (and economic) freedom, equality and justice along with environmental sustainability as well as physical barriers, cultural differences, and wealth inequality, the issue of global governance encompasses a vast array of challenges that will not be easily overcome. In light of these considerations, it would be reasonable to conclude that the ideal of just and equitable global governance represents the greatest social, political and economic challenge humanity has ever faced and successfully overcoming this challenge would be the greatest collective triumph that mankind has ever known. But to achieve this, many questions must be answered, one of the most important being the question of accountability: to whom, and for what should the largest political-economic players (states, intergovernmental organizations (IGO), Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and Multinational Corporations (MNC)) be accountable, and how can they be held accountable? Accountability has the ability to enforce compliance and turn exploitation into equality, and without it, democratic global governance cannot succeed. To begin with, because the majority of modern, developed, first world countries operate under democratic rule (though to differing degrees), and the majority of the world’s multi-national institutions promote living under some form of democratic rule, it is reasonable to assume that democratic principles are the cornerstone of effective global governance. In simple terms, democracy can be defined as every citizen having an equal say in the decisions and policies that affect their lives, and the ability to hold those who make decisions accountable. It would be helpful at this point