Global problems, global solutions: why we need a UN Economic and Social Security Council

International inequality, worldwide climate change, the drug trade, increased migration – the list of issues for which global action is needed keeps growing. Yet despite the large number of international institutions, there are none that can effectively deal with these problems. Is a new international body the answer?

National governments are often unable or unwilling to consider the international consequences of their actions. Researchers from Queen Elizabeth House propose a solution to the problem: an Economic and Social Security Council at the UN. This body would have a similar role to that of the present Security Council on security issues, but be empowered to monitor and act on global economic issues, poverty and environmental matters.

The main structure of international governance was created over 50 years ago, with the formation of the UN, the IMF and the World Bank. But there was a basic flaw in the design: it failed to include any significant institutions with responsibility for world economic governance, global environmental issues, or protecting the poor at a global level.

If current international institutions are not able to deal with a wide range of global social, economic and environmental issues, neither are national governments or the market. The primary problem with national action is that governments act chiefly in pursuit of their own objectives. Often, they don’t consider the international consequences of their actions. Global institutions are essential to ensure that the international implications of national action are taken into account.

There are three main reasons why global action is needed:

• Neither national governments nor markets fully take into account what happens beyond their borders – for example, depletion of the ozone layer, or the effect of interest rate policy in one country on capital flows elsewhere.
• Some activities that cross borders are impossible to control by national action, such as international criminal rings, drug production and trafficking. Also, global regulation is needed for some more desirable activities, such as international movements of labour or capital.
• Some objectives agreed at world level, such as protecting human rights and ending poverty, are not effectively implemented because many governments lack the resources, power or will to act.

The proposed Economic and Social Security Council (ESSC) would be structured along the following lines:

• The ESSC, made up of about 20 members would recognise the realities of power by including ten representatives of economies with the greatest national output, and another ten with circulating membership to ensure representation for states at all levels of development.
• Voting requirements would ensure that no one region could dominate decisions.
• The ESSC would review progress on the world economy, social issues and the environment, and would take action where needed.
• The ESSC would operate by requesting action from existing institutions. For international institutions, including the IMF, WTO and the World Bank, the directions of the ESSC would be mandatory.
• National governments would not be compelled to take action, though penalties could be applied if they systematically rejected requests.

Source(s):
‘An Economic and Social Security Council at the United Nations’, QEH Working Paper Series No. 68, by Frances Stewart and Sam Daws, 2001 (also appeared as a Christian Aid Report) Full document.

Funded by: Christian Aid

id21 Research Highlight: 20 August 2002

Further Information:
Frances Stewart
Queen Elizabeth House
21 St Giles
Oxford OX1 3LA
UK

Tel: +44 (0)1865 273600
Fax: +44 (0)1865 273607
Contact the contributor: Frances.Stewart@qeh.ox.ac.uk

Queen Elizabeth House (QEH), UK

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