Our Global Neighborhood

Critical Book Review: Our Global Neighborhood
Name
Course
Instructor
Date
Introduction
Global governance has gained interest in the media and academia more than ever before. This is especially with the UN exercising power, and more countries having joined the UN body and ready to adopt a framework of civic ethic acceptable globally. ‘Our Global Neighborhood’ by the Commission on Global Governance synthesizes the recommendations set to be adopted by the United Nations as a pathway to global governance. Global governance has emphasized the role of the UN Security Council and non-state actors in instituting global governance. Besides the political objective, global governance also seeks to establish specific economic organizations to make broad economic policies. Global interconnectedness and the changing global order has meant that the state-centered approach in international relations is being challenged by the emergence of an ever-changing global civil society. The political economy of individual countries and the world at a large is a concern since it also affects security issues. This is a critical evaluation of Our Global Neighborhood beginning with a summary of the book as well as strengths and weaknesses of the text, and it also briefly mentions application of the book.
Summary
The Commission on Global Governance recognized the need to have a definite civic ethic based on share values in a global neighborhood. Hence, the commission suggests that reforming the U.N is necessary in light of global changes since the end of WWII. Furthermore, a code of conduct to be adopted needs to focus on the challenges of the 21st century, in an era of globalization. The commission also emphasizes on relevance of global governance since the world is facing challenges that can be solved at the global level, with government and no state actors working together through collective responsibility. One of the challenges in maintaining global peace and security is that there were inadequacies in international institutions.
Even though, the UN, is a major player in global governance, collaboration between governments and non-state actors engage is identified as being critical to dealing with global affairs. The Commission further supports the need for global governance by mentioning that the UN was originally envisioned to maintain tolerance while also ensuring that people live as good neighbors globally. The Commission further points out that the idea of collective security under the UN Charter focused on peaceful coexistence whereby states do not use force. In light of these security challenges, there is a suggestion for the expansion in the number of member states in the UN Security Council.
The Commission also emphasized that governments working together with various actors will help to tackle many of the economic and political problems affecting the world. Since there are countries still facing enormous challenges, then coordination of international economic matters is necessary. This includes the coordination of economic policies, given that the International Monetary Fund has been unable to oversee consistency in policy formulations. In any case, the burgeoning international trade now accommodate...