"Social dimension of globalization"---"Global governance"---what is going on? I don't hear these words or phrases on the non-stop news channels? I'm sure it is not because these non-stop news channels don't have the time? They play the same nonsense news stories over and over again. They don't have time for this??
crabcake: "Social dimension of globalization"---"Global governance"---what is going on? I don't
The impact of globilization on everybody's life is happening, whether we like it or not. Still, you might have trouble with some by expressing that some "prioritize the social dimensions of globalization." You know - that ugly word - "Socialization" naturally creeps in. It's psychology.
The solution to much of these problems has already been discovered, and largely discarded. We simply need to embrace the philosophy of liberty. This video explains what I'm talking about in 8 minutes. It's worth watching.
Having lived all over the world for the last 15 years, I know that the US model of free trade and free market capitalism has failed. Letting Wall Street make the major investment decsions in the world has failed totally, as anyone can see today except the Republicans in the US.
Why not let the developing countries take the lead for a change, and have them decide how best to reform these international institutions to better meet their needs. And I agree that social and economic development should be the main goal in teh world today, given that have or more of the population is in poverty.
I would not look to the US for leadership in matters like these, since we are the most backward Western country, and inable to do much in these matters. Let the other countries decide what they need to do and just go forward, with or without the United States. After all, we have been in decline for 30 years in any case, and today it is accelerating.
mcmchugh99: Having lived all over the world for the last 15
We tried, and it was not for that lack that all the effort went south. Letting the developing (rather, the never developed despite all the money spent) nations do the job, without our largess will result in not much more success. The problem is the lack of leadership--honest leadership, not corrupt or power-hungry, or both, leadership.
I do not expect to see a Western standard of living in the African nations or most of the equatorial South American nations until the West sinks to their level, economically.
RofWH: We tried, and it was not for that lack that
I think it is important to point out the difference between global governance and global government. A government like the US congress, the house of representatives, the senate or the European parliament is certainly not what the presidents of France and Brazil are suggesting on a global scale. Global governance on the other hand tries to pay homage to the fact that as time has moved on our institutions have to adapt as well. The establishment of a global government is unthinkable. Take Germany for example. Years ago, a model country for the European Union, it has adopted the treaty of Lissabon a kind of European constitution. Recently the Bundesverfassungsgericht, the supreme court of Germany, has challenged this treaty and declared it unconstitutional under German law. Germany togehter with France is the driving force behind the EU and yet its laws do not provide for such political structure. At the same token we will never, not under the current system, have a united world government. What we can hope though is that current and future international institutions will adapt to govern issues like social justice, worker rights, regulation of international capital markets and the environment on a grand scale in the 21st century. I think it is important that political leaders take notice. A lot will depend on the president of the US. In his Moscow speech he did mention the need for an international system. It remains to be seen if America will follow his lead.
alfreds: I think it is important to point out the difference
I just had to smile as this article was placed across from the one entitled "Human Sperm created from Stem Cells. Will men Become Redundant?" When we have more women in charge there will be a lot more Peace and a lot less need for discussions of NATO etc...
ndem: I just had to smile as this article was placed
I cannot say anything about Mr. Sarkozy as I'm not French and do not know about their internal problems in depth. As a Brazilian however I can say that Mr. Lula should pay more attention to Brazil's internal problems instead of traveling around the world trying to be "the man". Our levels of political corruption have never been so high, the only thing higher in Brazil are the taxes we pay. Every tax paying brazilian has to work 1/3 of the year just to pay taxes. and still we have no security, no health care, no education and no infrastructure. our senate is a shambles filled with corrupt politicians who protect one another and are protected in turn by Mr. Lula. Lula's suposed great social accomplishment, the Zero Hunger Program is a sorry excuse for a populist and demagogue initiative that instead of creating jobs and opportunities only hands out small change for poor families, and only creates fertile ground for more corruption. our national habitational policy is simply to let poor people build wooden shacks wherever they can instead of providing homes. Mr. Lula is pals with Hugo Chavez, Ammhadinejad (Lula thought the Iranian elections were fair), and with an african dictator who is wanted by the UN for crimes against humanity. So yes, Mr. Lula has a lot to say about how the world should be managed because that is the best way to keep the world's attention and specialy brazilian's attention away from Brazil's problems.
meierjr: I cannot say anything about Mr. Sarkozy as I'm not
Oh yes, one more fan of the unbelieveable government of Mr. Cardoso, that break the brazilian economy three times. And Lula's government is the most corrupt of the history? Who sold all the telefonic/eletric/railways/roads system to foreigner companies? Hey pal you live in US, only read Veja, O Estado de São Paulo, Folha de São Paulo and see Globonews and want a honest view about Brazil with this kind of media? Give me a break...
Marcelo_Alonso_Lemes: Oh yes, one more fan of the unbelieveable government of
and what were the three economical breakdowns caused by FHC? if I'm not mistaken the Real (that started with FHC) just completed 15 years and Brazil's economy is still in pretty good shape, incredible as it may sound. and probably one of Lula's only good decisions was to not change anything economicaly. so what the hell are you talking about?
meierjr: and what were the three economical breakdowns caused by FHC?
Brazil sounds a lot like the US to me down to the fact that our president is out globe trotting when he should be at home taking care of business.
That aside, I agree with the concepts articulated in this blog - and can only hope that the world leaders do step up to ensure that the US financial institutions that got us into this mess don't continue with business as usual. Obama has already proven that he is not up to that challenge. Wall street has him in their pocket.
I forgot to give due credit to Luiz Lula da Silva - so this speech is a shared vision.
I think many people are misunderstanding the intentions of these two gentlemen when it comes to a world government. I think what they mean to say, is that a shared democracy across international borders is a desirable and much needed framework from which to achieve a more stable world economy and environment. Sharing a common political structure that recognizes more adeptly the social and economic needs of the people in all countries, so as to end terrorism and war. This is a wonderful effort to address the inequities of the world!
CMeadow: I forgot to give due credit to Luiz Lula da
Gentlemen--
That the President of Brazil and the President of France are addressing US "bloggers" on a site operated by a Greek-American, speaks volumes. That your ideas have merit for us to consider is amazing.
If this were a dialogue, that would be almost beyond imagination.
Worldwide we are in desperate need of intelligent and reasoned dialogue between people to address situations to which top down control cannot respond creatively and nimbly enough to solve. The situation is too dynamic for just "reformed global governance" without the engaged and meaningful discussion among and between peoples of different lands. We need a forum for the understanding of fundamental perspectives.
We need to tap the great intelligence of an interconnected people of the world to lead through the enormous source of power that collective wisdom would provide.
Your statement rings true: "It is now time to prioritize the social dimension of globalization. Worldwide, workers facing the economic storm are asking for more justice and greater security. Their voices must be heard." So let them be heard.
So lets move beyond the postings and chaotic blog responses into an egalitarian forum where ideas are discussed worldwide. We need a way for intellect and reason to lead, for "justice" and for "security." The desire is there, its just a question of the organization of the discussion.
I believe that our President would agree, at his inaguaration he said his election was not about him, "it is about all of us."
NicoloM: Gentlemen-- That the President of Brazil and the President of
Second that. While the are some good points made, the last thing we need is another bunch of egotistical, arrogant bureaucrats at the helm. We're still in the midst of learning where that leads.
SeekWisdom: Second that. While the are some good points made, the
America must be reigned in. It is as simple as that - the push to US empire and colonization is a threat to everyone on this planet including American citizens.
mosh: America must be reigned in. It is as simple as
This would require openess, transparency, honesty to move the discussion from elitist to egalitarian. It would require big concessions. In caritas in veritate the Pope called for a greater disposition to give freely. The capitalistic system is not based on this principle. We all know what it is based on - profit! If you do not have an answer how to reconcile profit with the gift of giving freely all the discussions are for naught.
alfreds: This would require openess, transparency, honesty to move the discussion
Nicolas Sarkozy's speech is remarkably visionary and very much in touch with pressing world issues. I would term his vision a contribution to world survivalism. In order for this world to progress and survive the dramatic changes taking place now economically, environmentally, politically, and socially, we must unite globally as an international force. I believe his vision is sound and very appropriate to the times, even if it means dismantling unstable institutions for the common good.
CMeadow: Nicolas Sarkozy's speech is remarkably visionary and very much in
Globalization needs to be fleshed out if it is to be successful, but oh no! not my sovereignty!
"With the crisis, the threat of protectionism has loomed larger."
Answer: the neoliberal pole.
The impact of globilization on everybody's life is happening, whether we like it or not. Still, you might have trouble with some by expressing that some "prioritize the social dimensions of globalization." You know - that ugly word - "Socialization" naturally creeps in. It's psychology.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muHg86Mys7I
Why not let the developing countries take the lead for a change, and have them decide how best to reform these international institutions to better meet their needs. And I agree that social and economic development should be the main goal in teh world today, given that have or more of the population is in poverty.
I would not look to the US for leadership in matters like these, since we are the most backward Western country, and inable to do much in these matters. Let the other countries decide what they need to do and just go forward, with or without the United States. After all, we have been in decline for 30 years in any case, and today it is accelerating.
I do not expect to see a Western standard of living in the African nations or most of the equatorial South American nations until the West sinks to their level, economically.
One person’s crisis is another person’s opportunity.
Such is the spectrum of human variability.
That aside, I agree with the concepts articulated in this blog - and can only hope that the world leaders do step up to ensure that the US financial institutions that got us into this mess don't continue with business as usual. Obama has already proven that he is not up to that challenge. Wall street has him in their pocket.
I think many people are misunderstanding the intentions of these two gentlemen when it comes to a world government. I think what they mean to say, is that a shared democracy across international borders is a desirable and much needed framework from which to achieve a more stable world economy and environment. Sharing a common political structure that recognizes more adeptly the social and economic needs of the people in all countries, so as to end terrorism and war. This is a wonderful effort to address the inequities of the world!
That the President of Brazil and the President of France are addressing US "bloggers" on a site operated by a Greek-American, speaks volumes. That your ideas have merit for us to consider is amazing.
If this were a dialogue, that would be almost beyond imagination.
Worldwide we are in desperate need of intelligent and reasoned dialogue between people to address situations to which top down control cannot respond creatively and nimbly enough to solve. The situation is too dynamic for just "reformed global governance" without the engaged and meaningful discussion among and between peoples of different lands. We need a forum for the understanding of fundamental perspectives.
We need to tap the great intelligence of an interconnected people of the world to lead through the enormous source of power that collective wisdom would provide.
Your statement rings true: "It is now time to prioritize the social dimension of globalization. Worldwide, workers facing the economic storm are asking for more justice and greater security. Their voices must be heard." So let them be heard.
So lets move beyond the postings and chaotic blog responses into an egalitarian forum where ideas are discussed worldwide. We need a way for intellect and reason to lead, for "justice" and for "security." The desire is there, its just a question of the organization of the discussion.
I believe that our President would agree, at his inaguaration he said his election was not about him, "it is about all of us."