Non-state Actors and World Governance

A- Non-state actors have always played an essential role in global regulation, but their role will grow considerably in this, the beginning of the twenty-first century.

1) Non-state actors have always been important in world governance.

2) Developments in the theory of governance places growing importance on the role of non-state actors at every level of regulation.

3) In the modern-day world, non-state actors face ever-increasing opportunities, which are often difficult for them to assume.

4) Non-state actors, due to their vocation, size, flexibility, methods of organization and action, interact with states in an equal manner; however this does not mean that their action is better adapted.
 4.1. Some non-state actors have an international vocation.
 4.2 The size of non-state actors is similar to that of many states.
 4.3 Non-state actors have more flexibility than states.
 4.4 Non-state actors’ organization is better suited for the realities of the world.
 4.5 They have a better command of the Internet.
 4.6 Non-state actors are in a good situation to be influential.

B- Non-state actors play a key role in world governance in different domains

1) Security and defense
2) International cooperation
3) Economy
4) Commerce
5) The Information society
6) Health
7) Environment

C- To get a better understanding of the role of non-state actors and develop it, it should be studied in conjunction with the general principles of governance.

1) Legitimacy based on objectives, values, and methods.

2) The elements of democracy and of world citizenship.

3) The ability to design better institutional arrangements.
 3.1. A more global approach to governance.
 3.2. Contribution to the emergence of a world community.
 3.3. The combination of different regulatory modes.
 3.4. The ability to get all the different parties around the table.
 3.5. An efficient evaluation system.

4) The conception of regimes of governance adapted to the different types of goods and services.

5) The possibility of better articulating scales of governance, from local to global.