Global Change?

Christer Jönsson

《Taiwan Journal of Democracy》 11卷1期 (2015/07) Pp. 147-162

並列摘要

Recent history is replete with events that ostensibly changed the world. Yet, predictions of profound imminent global transformations are seldom borne out by realities. Rather than triggering radical changes, single events tend to unveil or amplify longer-term developments and trends. Moreover, we seldom specify what we mean by change. Utilizing Kalevi Holsti's categorization of conceptions of change (as novelty or replacement, as addition or subtraction, as increased/decreased complexity, as transformation, as reversion, and as obsolescence), this essay addresses three questions: What developments have been unveiled or amplified by the 2007-2008 financial crisis? How can these be understood in terms of Holsti's categorization? And what are the implications for democracy worldwide? Four interrelated developments are identified: (1) the growing significance of flows as compared to places; (2) a moving public-private borderline; (3) a transnational turn; and (4) changing global fault lines. All have the character of addition and increased complexity. They have not transformed the world, but have added labyrinthine complexity. None of the processes of change-with the possible exception of the transnational turn-has had a beneficial effect on global democracy. Rather, these processes have tended to create a number of problems for democratic rule.

並列關鍵字

Complexity ； finance ； global democracy ； public-private sphere ； space of flows ； transnational actors

參考文獻

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