Saving Liberalism: Governance through Global Hanses
Type
conference speech
Date Issued
2017-05
Author(s)
Abstract (De)
Liberalism – the fabric of the current world order – is seriously challenged these days. Protectionism pushes back free trade, authoritarianism threatens liberal democratic institutions, and nationalism undermines regional integration. The decline of liberalism heralds a return of history that will make the world less prosperous and less safe. Protectionism will trigger trade wars and economic recession, and nationalist authoritarianism will fuel armed conflict.
The essay argues that the crisis of liberalism is due to an inappropriate governance of globalization. Globalization has differential effects on communities. Adaptive globalized communities benefit from globalization and thus support libertarian values. Communities that are less willing or able to adapt are more supportive of authoritarian stances. Neither the nation-state nor existing global governance institutions can accommodate this widening cleavage.
The essay sketches the disruptive idea of governing through Global Hanses. Global Hanses are flexible policy collaborations of globalized regions and municipalities. They translate the historic role model of the Hanseatic League into a socially and economically unevenly globalized world. Global Hanses are democratic, overlapping, and competing. Their members benefit from devolved competencies, but share part of their profits with less adaptive communities. The essay proposes to launch a first Global Hanse on digitalization, education, and social cohesion. It can later also develop joint policies on other issues, such as innovation, energy, migration, and trade in services.
Global Hanses tailor globalization to the needs and capacities of different communities. An emerging network of successful Global Hanses will rebuild public support for political and economic liberalism. It will also create new ‘glocal’ identities that help to overcome old nationalisms.
The essay argues that the crisis of liberalism is due to an inappropriate governance of globalization. Globalization has differential effects on communities. Adaptive globalized communities benefit from globalization and thus support libertarian values. Communities that are less willing or able to adapt are more supportive of authoritarian stances. Neither the nation-state nor existing global governance institutions can accommodate this widening cleavage.
The essay sketches the disruptive idea of governing through Global Hanses. Global Hanses are flexible policy collaborations of globalized regions and municipalities. They translate the historic role model of the Hanseatic League into a socially and economically unevenly globalized world. Global Hanses are democratic, overlapping, and competing. Their members benefit from devolved competencies, but share part of their profits with less adaptive communities. The essay proposes to launch a first Global Hanse on digitalization, education, and social cohesion. It can later also develop joint policies on other issues, such as innovation, energy, migration, and trade in services.
Global Hanses tailor globalization to the needs and capacities of different communities. An emerging network of successful Global Hanses will rebuild public support for political and economic liberalism. It will also create new ‘glocal’ identities that help to overcome old nationalisms.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to practical use / society
Book title
The dilemma of disruption - 47th St.Gallen Symposium
Publisher
St.Gallen Symposium
Publisher place
St.Gallen, Switzerland
Pages
4
Event Title
47th St.Gallen Symposium
Event Location
St.Gallen
Event Date
03.-05.05.2017
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
250831
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
SavingLiberalism_GovernancethroughGlobalGovernance.pdf
Size
152.32 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
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