Constrained representation of global interests

Lack of autonomous world-level actor to clarify world interests

Nature

There is no autonomous organization or individual able to identify and clarify world interests. The United Nations is obliged, by its very nature, to reflect the collectivity of individual state interests. Only symbolic figures like the UN Secretary-General and the Pope can formulate world interests (although the former is constrained by the practical politics of being elected by governments to function in an intergovernmental setting and the latter is hampered by a religious heritage that is weighed down with roles and doctrines). The dominance of the state is partly expressed by filling the field of political action so completely that no other actor orientation toward reality can achieve prominence.

Counter-claim

Vox populi, vox Dei; the voice of the people is the world-level agent that can transcend national interests, and international referendums on world or regional issues are the enabling mechanism. The direct election of representatives to the European Parliament was a forerunner of possibilities in this direction; but there are many obstacles to world referendums on, for example, UN resolutions. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have an important role in giving expression to the people's voice but nation-state interests have limited their powers to participate at intergovernmental organization deliberations. The Earth Summit and NGO Global Forum, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, produced agreement on principles that will guide the world community towards a more sustainable and equitable future in two principal documents called Agenda 21 and the NGO Alternative Treaties. The Earth Council was formed following the Earth Summit to contribute to meeting those decisions and follow-up arrangements: to promote worldwide awareness, understanding and resolution of major planetary problems, to provide strong and independent support for follow-up of the Earth Summit agreements, and to become a focal point for collecting and disseminating information on global efforts to achieve sustainable development.