Global democracy, or global governance, is the idea that the world needs democratic mechanisms to regulate a range of international activities. These would include global infrastructure projects (like the building of new cities), environmental protection and even military activities. The goal is to expand globalization in a way that makes people closer and more united, protects them from economic threats, and provides opportunities for all to develop their full potential.
Global democrats have put forward a variety of intrinsic and instrumental justifications for their project. The most common intrinsic claim relates to cosmopolitanism, which many proponents view as the moral foundation for their effort. Cosmopolitanism posits that all human beings are equal and that they have a right to control their own destiny. Global democracy helps realize this cosmopolitan ideal by giving all citizens a say in the decisions that affect them.
However, this model is not without controversies. For example, some scholars argue that it would be infeasible to establish institutions like a global parliament and give up the sovereign powers that are the essence of statehood. Others worry that it could lead to a race to the bottom where nations compete for business by cutting wages and worker standards.
The reshaping of the international ecosystem for democracy support calls for new visions of how democracy can work at scale. Think tanks, universities, philanthropic organizations and practitioners all need to take part as forces for research and practice on these new possibilities. This collaboration will be essential to building the next generation of global democracies.