At the inception of the 2009 World Economic Forum at Davos, the Atlantic Community puts forward its recommendations for one of the conference's core challenges: how to stabilize the global economy.
1. A bigger role for international institutions.
The global economic crisis requires a global response (Marie Grunert). As Yam Ki Chan points out the nation state's monopoly is dwindling and the economic crisis has given supranational actors legitimacy and the necessary bolster. Therefore, the collective economic security interest is best dealt with by regional and global organizations (Colette Mazzucelli).
- United Nations (UN): Atlantic Community members agree that the UN is the obvious mechanism for leading the way in this global response: it has the capacity to provide norms and rules. This said, there is widespread agreeement that in order for the UN, and especially the UNSC, to take on this role, reform is urgently needed. Donald Stadler points to the need to extend influence beyond the UN's primarily European core and an overhaul of voting rights is advocated (Grunert). Chan stresses the need for a governance system of checks and balances
- International Monetary Fund (IMF): An increased role for the IMF would also facilitate a global response to the crisis. By monitoring exchange rates, unnecessary fluctuations can be prevented and lending should be restricted to those nations who play by the rules (Luke Nichter). This would allow for effective, cohesive regulation that applies globally.
2. Increase regulation and economic interdependence.
Members consent that a new monetary regime in which financial markets are controlled through broader regulation is required if globalization is to avoid prolonged economic turmoil. However, revamping the various areas of trade, currency and environmental protection under one program will not be effective. Instead, Nichter encourages a regular, inclusive dialog in which bankers and finance ministers cooperate across the globe. In this way, the incentive for cooperation will be increased.
In addition, the world should wean itself off US dollar reserves and move towards a supranational reserve currency. As Chan emphasizes, this would create greater interdependence and thus increase cooperation from all parties. Nonetheless, the current decline of the US should not distract from the fact that it retains the greatest influence on the international stage (Nichter). As a result, it may be a useful forerunner for economic dialog while international institutions adapt and reform to take up the role.
3. Open democracy and human rights are key components of a healthy economy.
There is wide consensus on atlantic-community.org that protectionism and illiberal trade policies must be resisted as a response to the economic crisis. National governments as well as international organizations must counteract the tendency for myopic trade policies by allowing the free transmission of ideas at the supranational level (Scott E. Hartley).
Sustainable, globalized economic development based on cooperation is also desirable in the interests of global democracy. Wealthy democracies should fund massive development aid programs for poor nations to this end, says Alyssa M. Ramsay.
Atlantic Memos showcase the best ideas and arguments from debates in the Open Think Tank on www.atlantic-community.org. Please take the next step and help us spread the word. You can download a PDF copy of this Atlantic Memo to distribute to your local or national decision-makers. The recommendations expressed above come from your Atlantic Community.
Written by Eimear O'Casey
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June 28, 2011
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