GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Spring 2010

by Kishore Mahbubani (2009)

We are entering a new era marked by the end of western domination of world history and by the return of Asia. All global institutions and processes will have to be reformed to accommodate this new era, but this will not be easy.

The West, especially Europe, is heavily over-represented globally. Europe makes up 12% of the world’s population, yet it has 40% of the permanent seats in the UN Security Council. The EU is also over-represented in IMF voting shares. The Benelux countries have a greater voting share (4.57%) than China (3.66%). Not surprisingly, European interest in preserving over-representation has become a key obstacle to reforming global institutions.

Paradoxically, though, the EU’s success in promoting genuine regional harmony and cooperation within Europe provides the best possible role model for reforming global governance.

Such EU principles as avoiding military conflict, greater trade and economic integration, fair and equitable representation in key decision-making bodies and accountability for governance decisions are the same principles that will be needed to reform global governance. Europe provides both the problem and the solution to reforming global governance.

 

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