How Global Institutions Rule the World

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

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2. Introduction

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. World Government Is Here

      • Josep M. Colomer

      Pages 3-14

3. Who Rules

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 15-15

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   2. Network Goods Are Served by Simple Bureaus

      • Josep M. Colomer

      Pages 17-30

   3. Unanimity Rule Failed to Make the World More Secure

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      Pages 31-36

   4. A Great-Powers’ Directorate has Averted the Third World War

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      Pages 37-48

   5. Weights and Coalitions for Finance and Development

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      Pages 49-60

   6. Equal Vote Does Not Favor Global Trade

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      Pages 61-70

   7. The World’s Self-Appointed Steering Committee

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      Pages 71-83

4. How They Rule

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 85-85

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   2. Domestic Politics Does Not Make Policy

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      Pages 87-99

   3. Global Representation Requires Rotation of Countries

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      Pages 101-111

   4. Effective Decisions Are Made by Means of Weighted Votes

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      Pages 113-122

   5. Expert Rulers Replace Politicians and Diplomats

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      Pages 123-136

   6. Policy Consensus Is Built with More Ideas Than Votes

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      Pages 137-144

   7. Nonelectoral Accountability is Based on Performance and Values

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      Pages 145-158

5. Conclusion

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 159-159

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   2. Can Global Democracy Exist?

      • Josep M. Colomer

      Pages 161-174

6. Back Matter

   Pages 175-219

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This book reviews bureau-type organizations delivering network goods, documenting how most global institutions greatly improved their effectiveness during the last few decades. In the current globalized world, the design and choice of appropriate institutional rules and procedures can result in effective and democratic global government.

• Globalization
• Political institutions
• Political economy
• Democracy
• democracy
• government
• Institution
• policy
• politics
• Third World

“What is democracy if national governments must bow to specialized global agencies? Colomer superbly demonstrates that we already face faceless dispersed regulation that is even stronger than a unified 'world government' would be. And he offers intriguing insights into what this means for the world's democratic institutions.”  (Rein Taagepera, Professor of Political Science, University of California - Irvine, USA) 

“In this thoughtful and thought-provoking book, Josep Colomer demonstrates that effective institutions of global governance exist. A single world government is neither possible nor desirable. But it is also unnecessary. Instead, a number of effective institutions already carry out essential functions of world governance. Moreover, in spite of worries about "democratic deficits", those institutions are able to meet the essential requirements of an effective democracy: representation, competence, consensus, and accountability.” (Martin Wolf, Chief economics commentator at the Financial Times) 

Josep M. Colomer is Research Professor in Political Economy at Georgetown University, USA. Colomer is a life member of the American Political Science Association and a member by election of the Academy of Europe.

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