For many people throughout the world, the ideal of democracy is now accepted - at least in principle - as the pre-eminent source of political authority and legitimacy. Accordingly, as global-level systems of power, interconnection and organized political governance have expanded in recent years, the challenge of holding the exercise of power in global politics to democratic account has attracted increasing attention. Most commentators concur that increasing the democratic accountability of those wielding power in the global domain is in principle a desirable goal, and agree with proponents of 'global democracy' that the exercise of power at a global level - beyond the jurisdictional boundaries of democratic states - frequently suffers from significant and problematic 'democratic deficits'. Despite this widespread recognition of the need for further strengthening of democratic governance in global politics, the paucity of workable 'blueprints' for instituting democratic arrangements within the existing global order remains a key obstacle. History demonstrates that such 'blueprints' have often played a key role in interpreting, justifying and in some cases steering processes of institutional and ideational evolution. However, such abstractly devised reform programs have often emerged in response to institutional developments driven in the first instance by the pragmatic experiments of 'practical men', searching for solutions to local problems of immediate importance to them.

Democratization of Africa and Its Impact on the Global Economy delves into the intricate relationship between democracy, governance, and development in Africa, shedding light on the continent's progress and its implications for the global economy. From its historical context rooted in colonialism and apartheid regimes to the present-day challenges of weak governance and underdevelopment, this book critically examines the factors that have shaped Africa's political and socioeconomic landscape. This book offers a comprehensive exploration of democracy, governance, and development in Africa. It delves into various topics such as models of democracy, electoral systems, political leadership, state building, democratic deficits, political violence, corruption, and the challenges of democratic consolidation. Additionally, it examines the significance of democratic governance, good governance principles, civil society engagement, and political accountability in shaping Africa's political landscape. Through a multi-disciplinary lens encompassing political science, development studies, anthropology, sociology, international relations, and public administration, the book offers a platform for scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to engage in critical dialogue and propose innovative strategies for Africa's renewal.

Power to the People, after documenting the emergence of a new interstate system and the Cold War that divided it in the postwar period, examines the factors that led to the process of democratization in countries around the world.

Power Shifts and Global Governance: Challenges from South and North' presents an eclectic theoretical framework for emerging architectures of global governance through examining country and regional case studies from the perspective of 'great power shifts' in the twenty-first century. The book analytically and empirically explores the role of global civil society, discusses the implications of the rise of India and China, analyses regional security issues in Latin America and the Middle East and develops proposals for possible summit and UN reforms.

We are only in the early stages of a broader revolution that will impact every aspect of the global economy, including commerce and government services. Coming financial technology innovations could improve the quality of life for all people. Over the past few decades, digital technology has transformed finance. Financial technology (fintech) has enabled more people with fewer resources, in more places around the world, to take advantage of banking, insurance, credit, investment, and other financial services. Marion Laboure and Nicolas Deffrennes argue that these changes are only the tip of the iceberg. A much broader revolution is under way that, if steered correctly, will lead to huge and beneficial social change. The authors describe the genesis of recent financial innovations and how they have helped consumers in rich and poor countries alike by reducing costs, increasing accessibility, and improving convenience and efficiency. They connect the dots between early innovations in financial services and the wider revolution unfolding today. Changes may disrupt traditional financial services, especially banking, but they may also help us address major social challenges: opening new career paths for millennials, transforming government services, and expanding the gig economy in developed markets. Fintech could lead to economic infrastructure developments in rural areas and could facilitate emerging social security and healthcare systems in developing countries. The authors make this case with a rich combination of economic theory and case studies, including microanalyses of the effects of fintech innovations on individuals, as well as macroeconomic perspectives on fintech's impact on societies. While celebrating fintech's achievements to date, Laboure and Deffrennes also make recommendations for overcoming the obstacles that remain. The stakes--improved quality of life for all people--could not be higher.

A wake-up call for America to create a new framework for democratizing data. Public data are foundational to our democratic system. People need consistently high-quality information from trustworthy sources. In the new economy, wealth is generated by access to data; government's job is to democratize the data playing field. Yet data produced by the American government are getting worse and costing more. In Democratizing Our Data, Julia Lane argues that good data are essential for democracy. Her book is a wake-up call to America to fix its broken public data system.

Cultural Writing. In Democratizing The Economy, dozens of top-notch activists and educators examine the mounting protests against the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, why these lenders have finally generated such heated opposition and what the global justice movement proposes replacing them with in order to build a democratic global economy. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.