Edited by Kennedy Graham,
The world is in a state of transition to a new age in which nation-states are compelled to address certain problems of a global nature, problems that are beyond the capacity of any country, no matter how large and powerful, to solve. Some of these problems threaten the viability and integrity of the planet, and place the well-being of humanity in jeopardy. This book suggests that contemporary political and institutional arrangements for problem-solving, based on sovereignty as a principle and the nation-state as a decision-making unit, are not equipped to handle such problems. New concepts and methods of decision-making are therefore needed to augment existing ones in dealing with the challenges of the twenty-first century.
The book contends that, henceforth, the planet and humanity must be considered as a single entity for decision-making purposes. In the introductory part, the editor develops the idea of the planetary interest as a conceptual tool to assist citizens and policy-makers understand emerging global problems and approach them with global solutions. The concept allows a new paradigmatic approach to global politics in which an assessment of the planetary interest is undertaken in respect of each global problem, and a reconciliation of all national interests with the planetary interest follows.
The book includes contributions from twenty current or former politicians who discuss the particular global problems threatening their countries, looking at ways in which the planetary interest can help resolve them.
The planetary interest is a book for students and scholars of international relations and for policy-makers world-wide. It is also designed to be accessible and stimulating to a broad general audience.
Excerpts from Foreword by Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General
"I am very pleased to have been asked to write the foreword to this book. The “planetary interest” is the kind of forward-looking concept we need as the world goes through a period of profound transformation. Its central message -- that, in addition to personal, group and national interests we must think in terms of the interests of the entire planet -- is of special significance to the United Nations, an organization whose raison d’être is to advance the interest not only of any one group but of humankind as a whole. ....
The planetary interest provokes us to think anew about how we must share this fragile planet. These insights of eminent figures from around the world offer hope that the principles of tolerance and co-operation will survive in a world in which intolerance and unilateralism have too many adherents. And because these figures have vast and varied experience in the political life of this transitional era, it offers practical suggestions on how we can move from goals and policies to action.
Kofi A. Annan"
Contents of Book:
Foreword Kofi Annan
PART 1. Introduction
1. The planetary interest
Kennedy Graham
2. Legitimacy in twenty-first century politics
Gwyn Prins
3. The legitimate national interest and
legitimate global
power
Kennedy Graham
PART 2. The vital planetary interest and the legitimate national
interest
Section I. Global strategic security
4. Nuclear and radiological disarmament
4.1 Introduction
4.2 New Zealand
David Lange
4.3 Russia
Andrei Kozyrev
5. Chemical & biological disarmament
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Jordan
Toujan Faisal
5.3 Israel
Naomi Chazan
Section II. Global environmental integrity
6. Ozone Protection
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Argentina
Dante Caputo
6.3 Japan
Koji Kakizawa
7. Climate stabilization
7.1 Introduction
7.2 The Maldives
Ibrahim Hussain Zaki
7.3 China
Qian Yi
Section III. Global sustainability
8. Population stabilization
8.1 Introduction
8.2 India
Margaret Alva
8.3 Australia
Margaret Reynolds
9. Development
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Bangladesh
Abdul Moyeen Khan
9.3 Kenya
Charity Kaluki Ngilu
10. Forest management
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Indonesia
Theo Sambuaga
10.3 Brazil
Fabio Feldmann
11. Consumption
11.1 Introduction
11.2 United States
Claudine Schneider
11.3 Sweden
Lena Klevenås
PART 3. The vital planetary interest and legitimate global
power
12. Global powers: Earth’s planetary interest
Shridath Ramphal
13. Global and regional powers: Europe’s regional interest
Emma Bonino
14. Global and national powers: Britain’s national interest
Michael Marshall
15. Global and local powers: Rome’s municipal interest
Francesco Rutelli
PART 4. Conclusion
16. The planetary interest: thoughts for the future
Kennedy Graham
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Biographies of the editor and contributing authors are available on
Bio-portraits
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