In this article the author introduces the argument by stating what should be changed in our sociological perspectives, stressing the contradictory character of the social world in the 21st century as a single system and a fragmented world, and identifying global integration and global governance as key problematic questions. He then addresses these questions from a sociological perspective, updating existing theories and discussing the role of markets, government organizations and communities as institutional mechanisms of social integration and governance of the world system. More specifically, he examines: (1) international markets and transnational corporations (TNCs) as institutions that operate largely, although not exclusively, according to the exchange principle; (2) nation-states, international organizations, and supranational unions as institutions that operate largely, although not exclusively, according to the legitimate authority principle; and (3) collective movements and epistemic communities as institutions that operate largely, although not exclusively, according to the solidarity principle. Finally, the author explains his notion of democratic global governance and analyses the main factors favouring or hindering peaceful integration and democratic governance at the world level. keywords: collective movements ✦ European Union ✦ international associations ✦ markets ✦ nation-statesThe social world at the beginning of the 21st century is increasingly one world, but at the same time remains fragmented, conflict-ridden, hierarchical and unequal. It is at one and the same time a global system and a fragmented world, with unprecedented opportunities of greater justice
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.