The Unspoken Question at the UN: Can the World Be Governed?

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Navigating through global diplomacy and rhetoric, the United Nations perennially grapples with a fundamental, yet unvoiced question: Is global governance even feasible? Representatives from various nations convene, armed with their individual perspectives and agendas, aspiring to craft a collective future.

“Multilateralism” is a buzzword often heard within the chambers of the United Nations, representing the aspirational objective of unifying the disparate aims of all 193 member states. However, this lofty aim often finds itself in conflict with the pursuit of a singular narrative that can resonate across a myriad of sovereign nations.

The term “narrative” has assumed significant importance in contemporary political discourse. It serves as a conduit to cut through the information overload and ensure that a message is not only heard but also internalized. Yet, establishing a shared narrative becomes increasingly challenging when the very foundation of the United Nations rests on the diversity of its membership.

At the core of these deliberations lies a question that transcends the annual meetings and goes to the heart of modern civilization: Given the ever-increasing complexities and divisions of the 21st century, is a governable world a feasible concept?

Jeffrey Martinson, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Meredith College in North Carolina, opines via email that effective global governance exists only to a minimal extent—essentially how it has always been. This viewpoint gains credence when one considers the myriad of conflicting desires, grievances, and expectations voiced during the initial days of the U.N. General Assembly’s discussions. Topics spanning from climate change and armed conflict to public health and economic inequality all feature, yet a sense of disarray remains omnipresent.

Wavel Ramkalawan, President of Seychelles, captured the crux of the annual U.N. conundrum: the constant tension between optimism and sobering realities. “The world stands at the brink,” he remarked.

Over recent years, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has consistently sounded the alarm with increasingly dire metaphors. He described the current global state as “unhinged” and, during a U.N. climate conference, warned that humanity has “opened the gates to hell.”

Subsequent speeches from various leaders only served to underscore the gravity of the situation:

• Alain Berset, President of Switzerland, stated that the world is experiencing “possibly the most significant crisis since the end of the Second World War.”

• Nataša Pirc Musar, President of Slovenia, declared, “We no longer trust any narratives.”

• Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador, insisted that the world “needs to be reborn.”

• Laurentino Cortizo, President of Panama, cautioned, “Time is running out for all of us.”

While such utterances may seem bleak, there also exists a sense of purpose and potential solutions within the assembly’s walls. Guterres himself advocated for a “multipolar” and multilateral world, acknowledging that the mere existence of multiple power centers is insufficient to ensure global peace.

Skepticism towards the United Nations, often viewed as a precursor to a “one-world government,” serves as a stark reminder of the inherent challenges faced by multilateral institutions. Andrea Molle, a scholar at Chapman University in California, commented via email that the dream of a singular governing entity remains elusive, characterizing the international system as inherently “anarchic.”

Though it may appear that achieving a universal vision—let alone governance—is a Sisyphean task, the very act of global leaders convening to discuss solutions should not be dismissed. Katie Laatikainen, a Professor at Adelphi University in New York, posits that perhaps the act of endeavoring to find common ground is itself the objective, given the U.N.’s notable record in creative problem-solving and inclusion.

In sum, the possibility of governance in an increasingly fragmented world may reside in the earnest attempts of international leaders to bridge divisions and strive for collective solutions. It’s not just about averting conflict; sometimes it’s about the monumental effort to resolve it through dialogue.

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Ted Anthony, the Director of New Storytelling and Newsroom Innovation at The Big Big News, has been a correspondent on international affairs since 1995 and has covered the U.N. General Assembly since 2018. You can find him at Ted Anthony Twitter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Global Governance

More about Global Governance

• United Nations Official Website
• The Concept of Multilateralism: A Brief Overview
• Global Governance: Challenges and Opportunities
• The Role of U.N. Secretary-General
• Complexity in International Relations and Global Governance
• The State of Global Inequality: A UN Report
• Anarchy in International Relations Theory
• U.N. General Assembly: History and Functions
• Ted Anthony’s Twitter Profile
• Climate Change and the United Nations: Policy Recommendations