Global Governance and Tim Garton Ash

Now in the global governance session following a great discussion with Tim Garton Ash, Oxford history Prof on how to take on Niall Ferguson in my upcoming debate.

The governance session is not well intended...perhaps a lot of people are skiing. Bob Zoellick of the World Bank and Pascla Lamy of the WTO were pretty good. A sophisticated discussion with a bit of humor. The Mexican Finance Minister suggested that perhaps the US might learn something from the financial crises that have hit Mexico many times...though the consensus seems to be that the existing institutional system is basically adequate event though many countries are essentially out of the game.

Young questioner went to the same place as the young globalleaders...technology will take us in a different bottoms up direction. Then another question on global governance of environment. Pascal Lamy says that the network of existing network of institutions is probably adequate to the challenge...I must say I don't buy it.

Tim's key point: Niall Ferguson argues among other things that the world needs a hegemonic power, e.g. the British Empire and the US is the only candidate and won't do it. Tim suggests that a real concert of power is possible with the US , the EU and China. The US has to be willing, the EU able and China has to be on the same wavelength. He believes that their common interests in a stable order will lead them ultimately in the right direction. Indeed the experience of creating the EU is relevant to the process of realignment and sharing of power.