STWR - Share The World's Resources

By embracing the ‘neoliberal consensus’, European social democrats have failed to offer a meaningful alternative to the free market ideology of the right. To remain a force in progressive politics, social democracy must rediscover its egalitarian roots, argues Philippe Marlière.

The financial crisis has created a newfound recognition that global problems cannot be solved by nation-states acting alone or solely on the basis of self-interest. Governments and non-state actors must cooperate to address shared concerns and collective threats, writes David Held.

The coming year will be crucial in shaping how governments make decisions internationally. Rather than retreating to elite clubs such as the G20, powerful nations should embrace a truly participatory multilateralism through the United Nations, writes Martin Khor.

Actors in the global justice movement remain united by an acceptance that different viewpoints must be incorporated into their decision-making. Such thinking could underpin a more inclusive, diverse and democratic global order, writes Marianne Maeckelbergh.

In today's global economy, the political power of the nation state has been eclipsed by the private corporate world. Alongside this transformation, a counter-force is also developing – a transnational civil society based on shared concerns that transcend political boundaries, writes Harris Gleckman.

Despite half a century of human rights being codified in international law, governments continue to ignore their commitments. In the new millennium, it is the public who can build on their past struggles and achievements to ensure respect for democracy and justice, says Noam Chomsky.

The anchoring of peace-building to economic globalisation has failed. A new approach is required in international state-building – one which abandons the privatisation of security and its connection to neoliberal market strategies, says Oliver P. Richmond.