Overview

For the first time in history, all people worldwide are linked together in a shared civilization that spans the entire Earth. Humanity now has a common destiny. Global challenges such as war, poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental destruction are overwhelming nation-states and today's international institutions. Even the best policies are futile if there are no appropriate political structures in place to implement them. Autocracy and nationalism further undermine global collaboration. But the desire for freedom and change is unabated. Following the emergence of democracy in ancient times and its spread to modern states from the 18th century onwards, a third democratic transformation is imminent: expanding democracy to the global scale. Achieving a peaceful, just and sustainable world requires an evolutionary leap forward. The creation of a democratic world parliament is the centrepiece of this project. This book explores the history, relevance and implementation of this monumental idea. The first part explores the philosophical foundations of cosmopolitanism and a world parliament since ancient times. It fills a gap in the literature by tracing the history of the idea and of the attempts to bring it about from the French Revolution to the present day. In this regard, the book also serves as a comprehensive reference. The second part sets the issue in the context of global challenges such as climate change and planetary boundaries, the management of public goods, the pandemic threat, the stability of the financial system, combating tax evasion, terrorism and organized crime, disarmament, and protecting human rights. The construction of global democracy also plays a decisive role in combating hunger, poverty and inequality and in global water policy. Rapid developments in the fields of bio- and nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence are giving rise to fundamental questions that humanity is not prepared for. There is an overarching narrative that exposes the dysfunctions and deficiencies of the international system. At the same time, the alternative of a democratic world order and its underlying principles is presented with increasing depth. The authors stress that there is a right to democracy that applies not only to the national but also to the global level. Against the backdrop of the power structures of the transnational elite, the book argues for the implementation of a new global social contract . Finally, it outlines the contours of a new global enlightenment as well as the emergence of planetary consciousness and global solidarity. The third part discusses pathways, drivers and conditions for a transition to global democracy and outlines elements of a future global constitution. The second edition reflects significant developments since the original publication, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic, autocratization, and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The second edition incorporates linguistic improvements, updated content, extensive revisions, and additions throughout the book, expanding its size by approximately one fifth.

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9783942282246

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Reviews

'This outstanding and comprehensive study by Jo Leinen and Andreas Bummel is now established as the standard work on the history, relevance and practical implementation of the idea of a world parliament, one that has been lacking for a long time. This book is a milestone in the debate on the democratisation of global governance. While the basic arguments remain valid, the second edition adds important material, in particular on current events.'-Frank Biermann, Research Professor of Global Sustainability Governance at the University of Utrecht, founder and first chair of the Earth System Governance Project 'A World Parliament achieves several things. First, it shows how the campaign to create a people's assembly at the UN carries the baton forward in a long history of efforts to overcome nationalist and racist hatred, discrimination and oppression. Second, it demonstrates why the world's multiple challenges and crises cannot be addressed effectively and legitimately without a democratic body where everyone on the planet is represented as free and equal. Third, it offers a stirring vision of such a world parliament and a realistic plan of action for bringing it about. Each of these is a major accomplishment. Achieving them all in one book is a triumph.'-Mathias Koenig-Archibugi, Associate Professor of Global Politics in the Departments of Government and International Relations, London School of Economics and Political Sciences 'Freedom in authoritarian countries has narrowed to the size of a prison cell. Even in developed democracies there are now setbacks. This important book shows that the struggle for freedom and democracy is a global struggle. In order to succeed, we need to build a global democratic order which offers no space to authoritarian regimes and puts the people first.'-Oleksandra Matviichuk, Ukrainian human rights activist and Head of the Centre for Civil Liberties, recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize 'The authors of this 2nd edition of A World Parliament should be warmly congratulated for producing a highly readable and fascinating study. The new edition presents even more clearly ideas and vantage points that are urgently needed in rethinking the global order. The challenges we as a human species are confronted with are immense. This book explores the institutions and collective mechanisms, based on fairness, inclusivity and legitimacy, that are needed to ensure a safe and prosperous future for all.'-Maja Groff, Esq., co-winner of the New Shape Prize, international lawyer, Senior Treaty Advisor, Integrity Initiatives International and Co-Founder, Global Governance Forum 'This seminal work provides a comprehensive review of past measures to promote a world parliament and a guide to making the global parliamentary vision a reality. It is a vital resource for anyone interested in democratizing global governance.'-Andrew L. Strauss, Professor of Law at the University of Dayton

Author Information

Jo Leinen served as a member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2019. He chaired the environmental committee and the committee on constitutional affairs. From 2011 to 2017 he was president of the European Movement, an organization advocating for a democratic and enlarged European Union. From 1997 to 2005 he was presiding the Union of European Federalists that is dedicated to the promotion of European political unity. From 1985 to 1994 he was minister of the environment in the German state of Saarland. He graduated in law and was born in Bisten, Germany, in 1948. Andreas Bummel is co-founder and director of Democracy Without Borders and of the Campaign for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. He has dedicated his career to the promotion of global democracy and world federalism. From 1998 to 2018 he was a Council member of the World Federalist Movement, an international NGO that promotes the rule of law, world peace, and federalism. He was trained in business administration, studied law and worked at a management consultancy firm. He was born in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1976.

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