AbstractsPolitical Science

World parliament – fact or fiction? On the feasibility of world parliamentary models

by Emma Andersson




Institution: University of Helsinki
Department:
Year: 2011
Keywords: skenaariot; tulevaisuudentutkimus; globaali kansalainen; globaali demokratia; globalisaatio; suvereenisuus; kansainvälinen oikeus; maailmanparlamentti; Yleinen valtio-oppi: Maailmanpolitiikan tutkimus
Record ID: 1145634
Full text PDF: http://hdl.handle.net/10138/25890


Abstract

Cosmopolitan ideals have been on the philosophical agenda for several millennia but the end of the Cold War started a new discussion on state sovereignty, global democracy, the role of international law and global institutions. The Westphalian state system in practice since the 17th century is transforming and the democracy deficit needs new solutions. An impetus has been the fact that in the present world, an international body representing global citizens does not exist. In this Master’s thesis, the possibility of establishing a world parliament is examined. In a case analysis, 17 models on world parliament from two journals, a volume of essays and two other publications are discussed. Based on general observations, the models are divided into four thematic groups. The models are analyzed with an emphasis on feasible and probable elements. Further, a new scenario with a time frame of thirty years is proposed based on the methodology of normative futures studies, taking special interest in causal relationships and actions leading to change. The scenario presents three gradual steps that each need to be realized before a sustainable world parliament is established. The theoretical framework is based on social constructivism, and changes in international and multi-level governance are examined with the concepts of globalization, democracy and sovereignty. A feasible, desirable and credible world parliament is constituted gradually by implying electoral, democratic and legal measures for members initially from exclusively democratic states, parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations and other groups. The parliament should be located outside the United Nations context, since a new body avoids the problem of inefficiency currently prevailing in the UN. The main objectives of the world parliament are to safeguard peace and international law and to offer legal advice in cases when international law has been violated. A feasible world parliament is advisory in the beginning but it is granted legislative powers in the future. The number of members in the world parliament could also be extended following the example of the EU enlargement process. Keskustelua kosmopoliittisista ihanteista on käyty vuosituhansien ajan, mutta vasta kylmän sodan päättyminen sysäsi liikkeelle uuden diskurssin valtiosuvereenisuuden ja globaalin demokratian haasteista, kansainvälisen oikeuden roolista sekä globaaleista instituutioista. Perinteinen valtiojärjestelmä, joka on vallinnut 1600-luvulta, on muuttumassa ja samalla demokratiavaje kaipaa ratkaisuja. Maailmassa ei tällä hetkellä ole maailman kansalaisia edustavaa järjestöä, mikä lisää muutoksen tarvetta. Tässä pro gradu -tutkielmassa tarkastellaan, missä määrin maailmanparlamentin toteuttaminen on mahdollista sekä minkälaisia ongelmia ja haasteita perustamiseen liittyy. 17 mallin aineisto pohjautuu kahteen tieteelliseen aikakausjulkaisuun, esseekokoelmaan sekä kahteen muuhun julkaisuun. Tutkielmassa tehdään yleisiä havaintoja malleista ja ne on jaettu neljään temaattiseen ryhmään.…