Markets, Governments, Communities and Global Governance

Abstract

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

Hacia una metodología de evaluación de los sitios web de las dependencias ambientales de gobiernos de la frontera norte

“…La relación entre la vertiente de la administración pública que vincula, principalmente, la ngp y la creciente digitalización en línea del quehacer gubernamental encuentra en el e-Gobierno el instrumento de apoyo para transformar la interacción con los ciudadanos, las empresas y otras organizaciones tanto gubernamentales como no gubernamentales (Relyea, 2002;Martinelli, 2003;ocde, 2003a;Gil-García et al, 2010;Banco Mundial, 2011). En México, la temprana y tímida incursión del gobierno de Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León (1994León ( -2000 en internet dio paso durante el gobierno del presidente Vicente Fox Quezada (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006) a un evidente propósito de involucrar estrategias de acción en línea en el marco de un proyecto nacional de e-Gobierno (Toudert, 2003;Araiza et al, 2009;Sánchez, 2009;Alberro, 2010).…”

Sociology in Political Practice and Public Discourse

“…My approach to the analysis of markets, states and communities and their role in democratic global governance -as expounded in my 2002 ISA presidential speech (Martinelli, 2003) -is different. Markets, states, communities and the other institutions of civil society have historically identified themselves with the fundamental principles of social integration and social regulation -that is, modes by which activities are coordinated, resources allocated and conflicts structured: authority or hierarchical control, exchange or coordination in the form of transactions, and solidarity or normative integration.…”

“…But science should not transform itself into ideology. If this distinction is upheld, scientific public discourse that is developed by transnational epistemic communities can effectively contribute to democratic global governance (Martinelli, 2003(Martinelli, , 2005.…”

The Sociology of Globalization

“…By looking for the cause of these evolutions, the observer can highlight the consequences of financial globalization (a crisis that destroys a country's economy leading to a long-lasting exclusion from exchanges) as well as the governmental choices to control the level of openness of national financial markets. Martinelli (2003) underlines how contemporary transformations call for new concepts, new theories and new stories, or even a new paradigm. We would like to place this point of view in perspective by showing that the concepts of current sociology can account for a number of characteristics of direct global phenomena.…”

“…Each collective action first provides the opportunity for common agreement on how it will be organized and how it will progress, to overcome obstacles related to differences of approach, ideological postures, goals and means (human, cognitive and financial). The result is, as Martinelli (2003) notes, a singular political culture, expressing new identities. It is a form of non-permanent organization (for fear of appropriation by the policy apparatus) and privileges modes of action that are 'seamless, stealthy, inspired by subversive street theatre'.…”