Divided Nations

With rapid globalization, the world is more deeply interconnected than ever before. While this has its advantages, it also brings with it systemic risks that are only just being identified and understood. Rapid urbanization, together with technological leaps, such as the Internet, mean that we are now physically and virtually closer than ever in humanity's history. We face a number of international challenges - climate change, finance, pandemics, cyber security, and migration - which spill over national boundaries. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the UN, the IMF, the World Bank - bodies created in a very different world, more than 60 years ago - are inadequate for the task of managing such risk in the 21st century. Ian Goldin explores whether the answer is to reform the existing structures, or to consider a new and radical approach. By setting out the nature of the problems and the various approaches to global governance, Goldin highlights the challenges that we are to overcome and considers a road map for the future. Ian Goldin has been in the kitchen, at a senior level, of national and international policymaking. It is a messy place. But, as he argues clearly and convincingly, our ability to co-operate across nations is crucial to the stability and growth of our economies. It is crucial too for the protection of our environment and reducing the grave risks of climate change. The necessary co-operation will not be easy but Goldin sets out clear principles and sketches out real possibilities. The world should listen. Nicholas SternList of acronyms and abbreviations ; 1. New Global Governance Challenges ; 2. Reconciling global, national, and local interests ; 3. Rethinking Reform: nations, networks and knowledge ; 4. The Power of One: The role of individuals ; 5. What can be done? ; Bibliography