Impact of globalization on parliamentary action.

• Author: D'Estaing, Olivier Giscard

National parliaments are losing some of their importance because of the little influence they have over so many aspects of globalization. This article suggests we move away from a world of international structures, based on nations, to an intercontinental world.

Ideas about global democracy have been advanced since Tocqueville and Schumpter but in terms of time and space, we have crossed into a different realm where information is instantaneously available on a global scale. This revolution affects our psychological state of mind and the important decisions we are called upon to make. We are all party to major global events as they unfold. That is the true lesson to be drawn from the events of September 11. The aftershock of the tragic events of that day was felt around the world. Every day, we witness events such as floods in Bangladesh, the death of children in Africa by starvation, major soccer games. People the world over find a common voice in day-to-day events, whether serious or pleasant in nature. Politicians need to take this fact into account because it impacts the feelings and reactions of their constituents.

We often hear how the world is a village, a village without municipal officials and therefore a village in a state of anarchy. There is no governing body to deal with common concerns on a global scale. Joseph Stiglitz in, La grande desillusion de la mondialisation, illustrates his point by noting the following: Trade ministers discuss the world's major trade problems; Finance ministers focus on major financial problems. Who focuses on human resources and social issues? Obviously, these ministers follow government orders. When heads of state meet, such concerns may be on their minds, but their primary focus is defending the interests of their own nation and people. In truth, defending these interests could prove prejudicial to others if there is no one to speak out "globally" on major economic, social and humanitarian issues.

This is, I believe, a major source of unease in our societies. What is needed are persons willing to devote some time to resolving conflicts of national interest and to addressing global problems, all of which implies democratic action which would go a long way toward reassuring people. I am flabbergasted by the deafening silence of parliamentarians when it comes to major global debates. Be it in Seattle or in Johannesburg, we have not heard the representatives of the people express their views on these...