Global citizenship, not 'global governance'

(HT: Peter). Is the concept of "global citizenship" a pipe dream, or is it, in the worst nightmares of conservatives, an assault on state sovereignty?

Consciousness of our global citizenship is already growing, and it's nothing to be afraid of, argues Rodrik. Exhibit A: the global campaign to forgive onerous debt of poor countries. Exhibit B: more than 50 countries implementing policies to stem global climate change that are, ostensibly, harmful to their national economic interests. Exhibit C: countries going after other nations' leaders who have violated human rights.

These examples illustrate that when we talk about "global citizenship" in the abstract it smacks of one-world-government, socialist utopia; but when we talk about concrete cases, it makes lots of freaking sense.

I would add other examples, for instance, citizens' movements to prevent overfishing in international waters, and Kiva, that generally gathers money in developed countries for entrepreneurs in developing countries.

National Governments, Global Citizens

By Dani Rodrik

March 12, 2013 | Project Syndicate

URL: http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/how-to-globalize-a-national-authority-by-dani-rodrik