Can the World Be Governed? Possibilities for Effective Multilateralism

As the global economic and power structures have shifted in recent years, calls for reform of global institutions and governance mechanisms have increased. From the recent collapse of the World Trade Organization’s Doha round of trade talks to calls for enlarging the Group of Eight, the international governance system continues to be challenged. Is reform of current international organizations and processes possible and if so, what are the best options for effective reform?

On September 10, Brookings hosted the Centre for International Governance Innovation, a Canada-based think tank, for a discussion of these issues as analyzed in their recent volume “Can the World Be Governed? Possibilities for Effective Multilateralism.” Panelists included: Alan S. Alexandroff, senior fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation; William Antholis, managing director, Brookings; and Richard Rosecrance, adjunct lecturer, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard. Johannes Linn, executive director and senior fellow, Wolfensohn Center for Development at Brookings, moderated the discussion.

A question and answer session followed the panel discussion. A reception followed the briefing.