Alberto Martinelli

Markets, Governments, Communities and Global Governance

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.

Globalization and governance for sustainability

Purpose – This paper seeks to take stock of core arguments in some of the most central governance traditions and to discuss their capacity to deliver solutions. It starts with an appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the ideas of market‐, state‐ and civil‐society‐led governance, but also factors in the effect of media and communication as governance arenas in their own right. Then it aims to review core arguments put forward in broader approaches to governance where multiple governance mechanisms are combined.Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper that reviews central approaches in the governance literature and their ability to further sustainable development. The review is taken as a basis for tentative formulations of new supplementary governance approaches.Findings – Out of the critical analysis the paper distils is an approach to governance that combines three basic elements: First, a re‐interpretation of Montesquieus principle of checks and balances – applied not only to sta...

Large firms as political actors: A comparative analysis of the chemical industry in Britain, Italy and West Germany

Large firms as political actors are compared in the chemical industry in three countries. In West Germany, co‐ordinated action through the industry associations is important, but firms are developing their own political capabilities. In Italy links with political parties are important, but the operating environment of firms has become less politicised. Britain conforms more to a ‘company state’ model, with the government relations divisions of firms playing a key role. The greatest divergence between the three countries is in terms of relationships with political parties. In general, there is a trend towards greater convergence in government‐business relations in the industry in the three countries, internationalisation being a key factor.

Sociology in Political Practice and Public Discourse

Social science should take an active role in public discourse, interacting with its different publics, and should not be detached or separated from them — otherwise it becomes irrelevant; but at the same time it should keep itself at critical distance from both common sense and public discourse — otherwise it loses its autonomy of judgement. Sociology (as a science) and political practice are two distinct forms of action, which cannot be reduced to each other.

Evolution from World System to World Society

The question examined in this article is whether the contemporary world system is leading to a world society. World system connotes that we live in an increasingly interdependent world. The author examines the nature of world system in relation to world society. Then the author examines the nature of the world system as a growing interconnected global order, and the yet non-existent world or global society, a society as a network of social relations with mutual expectations and normative consensus. Difference perspectives of world society are discussed, followed by a focus on cosmopolitan ethics and transnational civil society. Institutions of democratic world society and the implications are examined. The author concludes: more and more people come to live in a single world system; a transnational civil society and an international public space are growing; a global communitarian culture and a cosmopolitan ethics are gaining ground.

Global Order or Divided World? Introduction

The title of this session dramatizes a basic contradiction of the present, but could be rephrased as global order and divided world, since the social world at the beginning of the 21st century is both globally interconnected and globally fragmented according to the dimensions we consider: global economic and technological interdependence and social interconnectedness, on the one hand, and cultural fragmentation and political division, on the other. The world can be conceptualized as a single system, but a world society does not yet exist, and widespread conflict and fragmentation are more evident than global integration and governance. First, this introduction discusses the main conceptualizations of globalization, which are arranged in a conceptual space described with reference to three major axes: (a) hyperglobalizers vs skeptics, where the key distinction concerns the degree of novelty of globalization and its impact on nation states; (b) neo-liberals vs neo-marxist and radicals, where the key points are the balance between positive and negative impacts of globalization and its truly global or western hegemonic character; and (c) homogenization vs heterogeneity and hybridization, which focuses on the cultural dimension of globalization. Second, the introduction criticizes the demise of the nation state as one major instance of oversimplification in theorizing about globalization.

Alberto Martinelli – Italy

The present crisis is the expression of the contradictions of global capitalism, first of all the contradiction between increasing economic, financial and technological interdependence, on the one hand, and continuing political fragmentation, on the other, which highlights the lack of effective global governance. Global finance has developed in new unregulated forms and at unprecedented rate; the erosion of sovereignty has made national governments’ controls ineffective and no new system of international regulation and global governance has superseded them. Major disequilibria have arisen between creditor countries with fast growing, export-led economies, high rates of savings, huge balance of trade surpluses and reserves in dollars like China, on the one hand, and debtor countries with finance-dominated, mass consumption economies, high levels of public and private indebtedness, and huge balance of trade deficits like the United States. The growth of global wealth dramatically reduced poverty in big countries like China and India, but fostered new economic and social inequalities among and within national societies, between developed and developing countries, and between privileged or protected social groups and marginalized social groups. Moreover, other tensions constantly arise from the high fluctuations in energy and raw materials prices stirred by the growth of demand in the fast developing economies. The crisis is systemic, but it does not imply the collapse of global capitalism. In fact, structural crises are the way in which capitalism continuously transforms itself. The classics of social sciences, from Adam Smith to Karl Marx, from Max Weber to Karl Polanyi, from Joseph Schumpeter to John Maynard Keynes, have all argued, although in different ways, that capitalism is inherently contradictory and transforms itself periodically through processes of creative destruction.

Italian State-Owned Enterprises: Some Lessons for Transition Economies

The public sector could play an important role in transition economies in three major ways: (a) restructuring the productive system, (b) supporting market mechanisms and breaking of monopoly positions, (c) reducing unemployment and controlling social tensions.