A Possible World: Democratic Transformation of Global Institutions

'Amid all the cant about democracy and globalization, it is refreshing to have a book that takes a democratization that is global seriously, as an objective and as a process. This book adds substance to the slogan that another world is possible.' - Immanuel Wallerstein, Yale University, author of The Modern World-System


'Does it sometimes seem to you that it is impossible to transform the global system to make it more democratic? Patom"ki and Teivainen provide the most comprehensive guide to proposals to democratize global institutions and create new ones. This is a book for all those who want to engage in practical projects of democratic change.' - Michael Hardt, co-author of Empire

'Democratizing global institutions is one of the most critical challenges
of our time. This book provides us with a much needed critical discussion of
the possibilities and limitations of this enterprise while maintaining an
optimistic perspective on the future of global democratic governance.' - Walden
Bello, 2003 recipient of the Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Prize)

'This stimulating exploration of global democracy offers clarity and hope concerning one of the most urgent challenges of contemporary politics.' - Jan Aart Scholte, Centre for the Study of Globalization and Regionalization, University of Warwick

As globalization proceeds apace, the scope and powers of international institutions -- the United Nations, the World Bank, the IMF, the World Trade Organization -- continue to grow. Patom"ki and Teivainen describe a wide spectrum of democratic reform proposals. They also explore innovative ideas for new institutional arrangements -- including empowering global civil society; a Global Truth Commission; referenda and a World Parliament; a debt arbitration mechanism; and global taxation. And they argue that democratic transformations at global level must involve not just democratizing institutional machinery, but revisiting the remits and powers they should have.