The past decade has seen an unusual confluence of events—the end of the cold war, globalization of trade and knowledge, the rise of civil society—that have re-made the political landscape and require new forms governance. During 1997-98 economies collapsed in many parts of the world, starting a series of tremors felt around the globe. In Southeast Asia, financial crises, forest fires and civil unrest further illustrated the relationships between governance and the sustainability of economic, environmental and social systems. In Russia, millions of rubles were taken out of the country, leaving destitution and grief and an economy mired in corruption. Illicit trade in endangered species and banned CFCs also flourished.

The rapid rate of change and imperatives of sustainable development dictate the building of improved governance structures around the world. There are now literally hundreds of international environmental agreements in place requiring some degree of international cooperation to implement. The world of trade and investment is also becoming increasing complex. Yet, the disparity between nations and between peoples is huge. Some countries are still struggling with the provision of basic education and ensuring essential needs are met. Others are fighting civil wars. The Commission on Global Governance reported that at least 30 major armed conflicts have occurred in the past few years and that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council continue to supply most of the arms.

Governance issues permeate all levels of decision-making from the local community cooperative to the corporate boardroom and the halls of power at the United Nations. The nation-state now has rivals to its premier position. Non-governmental and for-profit organizations involved in decision-making proliferate. And, this highly integrated global community is demanding transparency and participation in making decisions. Clearly the task at hand is immense. In their 1995 report, the Commission on Global Governance listed five mutually reinforcing proposals for better governance: 1) a global civic ethic to guide governance emanating from global civil society; 2) promotion of security; 3) management of economic inter-dependence; 4) reform of the United Nations; and 5) strengthening the rule of law worldwide.

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In Depth
	Commission on Global Governance. Our global neighbourhood: The report of the Commission. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 1995. Langseth, Petter and Kathryn Galt. Partnership for governance. Conference co-sponsored by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the World Bank Copenhagen, 31 May 1996. Washington, DC: The World Bank, 1996. 55 p.
Virtual Ideas
	Kaplan, Robert D. Was democracy just a moment? Atlantic Monthly. (December 1997): 55-80. http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/97dec/democ.htm

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