The United Citizens Organization: Public-private partnerships in global governance

Abstract

Can Public-Private Partnerships be applied to global affairs and governance? This paper reviews the existing relations between public and private global actors. I argue that current international politics is largely an outcome of these relations. Although for the foreseeable future the role of traditional nation-states on the global scene should not be dismissed, they come under the constant pressure of different private actors, particularly of MNCs and NGOs. If this is the case, the question of global responsibility must be raised. It has been the traditional role of governments to stand for such societal values as security and prosperity, and be responsible for their citizens. With the changing picture of global environment, the demand for responsible action should also be extended to private actors. Consequently, they should be included in the framework of global governance, thus forming Public-Private Partnerships. Hence, once they are properly institutionalized, perhaps in the form of a United Citizens Organization, Public-Private Partnerships can contribute to the future model of global governance.