The London School of Economics and Political Science the ROLE of CIVIL SOCIETY in the DEMOCRATISATION of GLOBAL GOVERNANCE INSTI
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The London School of Economics and Political Science THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE DEMOCRATISATION OF GLOBAL GOVERNANCE INSTITUTIONS: From ‘Soft Power’ to Collective Decision-Making? Saif Al-Islam Alqadhafi A thesis submitted to the Department of Philosophy of the London School of Economics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London, September 2007 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the MPhil/PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of the author. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. 2 Abstract This dissertation analyses the problem of how to create more just and democratic global governing institutions, exploring the approach of a more formal system of collective decision-making by the three main actors in global society: governments, civil society and the business sector. The thesis seeks to make a contribution by presenting for discussion an addition to the system of international governance that is morally justified and potentially practicable, referred to as ‘Collective Management’. The thesis focuses on the role of civil society, analysing arguments for and against a role for civil society that goes beyond ‘soft power’ to inclusion as voting members in inter-governmental decision-making structures in the United Nations (UN) system, the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other institutions. The thesis defends the argument that inclusion of elected representatives of non- governmental organisations (NGOs) in tripartite decision-making structures could potentially create a more democratic global governing system. This conclusion is supported by a specially-commissioned survey of leading figures in NGOs and IGO decision-making structures. The argument is developed in a case study of the WTO. The thesis explains and adopts three philosophical foundations in support of the argument. The first is liberal individualism; the thesis argues that there are strong motivations for free individuals to seek fair terms of cooperation within the necessary constraints of being members of a global society. Drawing on the works of David Hume, John Rawls and Ned McClennen, it elaborates significant self-interested and moral motives that prompt individuals to seek cooperation on fair terms if they expect others to do so. Secondly, it supports a theory of global justice, rejecting the limits of Rawls’s view of international justice based on what he calls ‘peoples’ rather than persons. Thirdly, the thesis adopts and applies David Held’s eight cosmopolitan principles to support the concept and specific structures of ‘Collective Management’. 3 Acknowledgements I would like to express my appreciation to a number of individuals who have provided invaluable assistance to me during the process of writing this dissertation. First of all, I would like to thank those at LSE who advised me directly and gave generously of their time to assist me to clarify and refine my arguments. This includes Professors Nancy Cartwright, David Held and Alex Voorhoeve. I could not have completed this thesis without them. I would also like to acknowledge the benefit I received from comments on early drafts of the thesis from a number of experts with whom I met and who consented to read portions of the manuscript and provide advice and direction, especially Professor Joseph Nye. I would also like to thank a number of individuals at Monitor Group with whom I worked to design and conduct the NGO Survey which provides empirical data for this thesis. I am particularly grateful for the time given by the respondents in what was a lengthy survey and interview process. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION........................................................................................ 10 1.1 Focus of the thesis....................................................................................................... 10 1.2 Review of Existing Studies Relevant to the Topic...................................................... 34 1.3 Definition of Civil Society.......................................................................................... 38 1.4 The need for reform: the example of the International Monetary Fund as a brief illustration ................................................................................................................... 43 1.4a The IMF: functions, procedures and processes........................................... 43 1.4b PRSPs and conditionality: undermining democracy in developing states.. 46 1.4c Voting shares and contributions.................................................................. 53 1.4d Transparency and accountability................................................................. 65 1.5 Summary of thesis: chapter outline............................................................................. 69 CHAPTER 2: A FRAMEWORK TO EVALUATE THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN GLOBAL GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS .................................................................. 75 2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................. 75 2.2 Historical context: the rise of civil society participation in IGOs............................... 77 2.3 Current role of NGOs in global governing institutions............................................... 84 2.3a IGOs: are they ‘undemocratic’ and can they be ‘democratic’?................... 84 2.3b The contribution of NGOs to IGO decision-making .................................. 92 2.3c Northern and Southern NGOs: imbalance of power................................... 97 2.4 The use of ‘soft power’ by NGOs: advantages and problems .................................... 99 2.5 NGO use of ‘soft power plus’: advantages and problems......................................... 103 2.6 Formal decision rights for NGOs: advantages and problems ................................... 105 2.6a Evolution of environmental NGOs into the German Green Party............ 111 2.6b NGO accountability: accreditation and self-regulation............................. 118 2.6c NGO accountability: election and democratic legitimacy ........................ 128 2.6d Capacity-building...................................................................................... 130 2.7 Conclusion ................................................................................................................ 139 CHAPTER 3: THE CONCEPT OF ‘COLLECTIVE MANAGEMENT’..................... 142 3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 142 3.2 Six approaches to reforming the role of civil society in global governance............. 154 3.2a Multi-stakeholder partnerships—participatory, soft power only ............. 156 3.2b Global Networks—tripartite participatory/‘networked governance’, soft power only................................................................................................. 156 3.2c Global Forum of Civil Society—tripartite participatory, soft power only 158 3.2d Advisory Body of National Parliamentarians—representative, soft power only............................................................................................................ 160 5 3.2e Elected Global Assembly—representative, soft power only..................... 160 3.2f World Parliament—representative, with decision rights/legislative powers165 3.3 Collective Management: Elected NGO representatives with formal decision rights 167 3.4 Screening and election mechanisms.......................................................................... 179 3.4a Case Study of the electoral process and function of the ICC.................... 181 3.4b Case study of the electoral process and function of the ILO .................... 182 3.4c Representation in the new Collective Management structure and its institutionalisation..................................................................................... 187 3.4d The problem of enforcement..................................................................... 193 3.5 Potential objections to the Collective Management system………………………197 CHAPTER 4: LIBERAL INDIVIDUALISM................................................................... 201 4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................... 201 PART 1: THE INDIVIDUAL AND MOTIVES FOR COOPERATION ........................ 205 4.2 Hobbes ...................................................................................................................... 205 4.3 Hume......................................................................................................................... 207 4.4 Rawls......................................................................................................................... 209 4.5 McClennen................................................................................................................ 213 4.6 Motives for adhering