GLOBALISATION & DEMOCRACY Module 6 Prof. Dr Léonce L Bekemans Jean Monnet Chair ad personam Academic Year 2012-2013 2013 UNIPD
GLOBALISATION & DEMOCRACY Outline I. Key Concepts II. Building a World Community: Globalisation and the Common Good III. Conceptual global responses: Realizing the Copenhagen vision IV. Towards a Political Project: European voice of globalisation
I. Key Concepts Interlinkage between demos and polis : 1. Inclusion: People s s capability to fully participate in economic, social and political life 2. Integration: Variety of processes by which individuals and groups of people are incorporated into various social arenas and segments of society Essence: acceptance, tolerance and respect A two way process European context: integration within a multicultural environment See A. Sen Identity and Violence 3. Diversity Recognising, appreciating, valuing and utilising talents and contributions of all individuals regardless differences in... Human Development Report 2004
II. Building a World Community: Globalisation and the Common Good Reminder: (global) democracy vs materialism 1. Reasons for global democracy 2. What is needed? Economies to serve human needs and aspirations Humanist Political culture Social forces with a global agenda Institutions to promote the common good
A Reminder: (global)democracy vs materialism La démocratie d favorise le goût t des jouissances matérielles. Ce goût, s il s devient excessif dispose bientôt les hommes à croire que tout n est n que matière ; et le matérialisme, à son tour, achève de les entraîner ner avec un ardeur insensé vers ces mêmes jouissances. Tel est le cercle fatal dans lequel les nations démocratiques d sont poussées. Il est bon qu elles voient le péril p et se retiennent.» Alexis de Toqueville,, a French political thinker and historian (1805-1859), 1859), best known for his book Democracy in America )
III. Conceptual global responses: Realising the Copenhagen vision 1. Aspiration and Action: UN World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen, March 1995): a more socially accountable global political economy 2. Assessing globalisation: Copenhagen Seminars for Social Progress (1996-2000): Reformulation of globalisation Focus on positive forms of globalisation and guardianship of global common interests 3. Re-framing Globalisation: GFA vs GFB 4. Guiding Principles/Values: Economic, social and political principles ( Predatory( Globalization by R. Falk, The Post corporate World: Life after Capitalism by D. Corten (life vs profits) Global ethics and values: Towards a global Ethic (1993)
Building a World Community (2000) Copenhagen Seminars for Social Progress The building of a global democratic community should become the mobilising ideal for the 21 century. It requires shared values and a compassionate political culture. It calls for international and global regulations and for the taming and democratisation of global capitalism. It demands the strengthening of political institutions responsible for the common good, notably the United Nations.
Global Ethics : transformation of consciousness Historical experience demonstrates the following: Earth cannot be changed for the better unless we achieve a transformation in the consciousness of individuals and in public life. The possibilities for transformation have already been glimpsed in areas such as war and peace, economy, and ecology, where in recent decades fundamental changes have taken place. This transformation must also be achieved in the area of ethics and values. Every individual has intrinsic dignity and inalienable rights, and each also has an inescapable responsibility for what she or he does or does not do. All our decisions and deeds, even our omissions and failures, have consequences.
Avaaz http://www.avaaz.org It means "voice" in several European,, Middle Eastern and Asian languages launched in 2007 with a simple democratic mission: organise citizens of all nations to close the gap between the world we have and the world most people everywhere want a global web movement to bring people-powered powered politics to decision-making everywhere It campaigns in 15 languages, served by a core team on 6 continents and thousands of volunteers: action-signing petitions, funding media campaigns and direct actions, emailing, calling and lobbying governments,, and organizing "offline" protests and events >> a transnational community that is more democratic,, and could be more effective, than the United Nations (Suddeutsche Zeitung)
IV. Towards a Political Project: European voice of globalisation 1. Goals: - Recognising multiple faced identities and cosmopolitan citizenship - Humanising Globalisation - Revalorising the role of cultures in Europe Definition Moving from multiculturalism to interculturalism European cultures - Stimulating intercultural dialogue 2. Major challenges and participatory characteristics - coherent combination of all dimensions of democracy and extension of democratic practices to all international levels - new and advanced types of democracy - mutual interaction between democracy and intercultural dialogue 3. The structural/institutional EU governance setting - The European Dialogues framework - Inclusive Europe: Indicators
Conclusion Management of globalisation implies a full political, economic, civil,, social and intercultural dialogue based on mutual respect and mutual obligation at multi levels of governance Role of values in policy-making both internally and externally is crucial: Globalisation and Europeanisation of solidarity Need for a model of maximum cohesion with necessary differentiation based on a community of shared values leading to the common good while respecting diversities EU provides the evolutionary context and spatial horizon in which plural citizenship and inclusion practices can be implemented.