The OEF Vision

OEF is gravely concerned that the current state-centric governance structures cannot on their own solve global concerns and resolve armed conflicts. Technology and the relentless processes of globalization create significant stresses on the global system that result in armed violence within, between, and among, sovereign nation states. The current conceptualization of international order, where nation states operate as the main legitimate actors on the international stage, is too limited to effectively mitigate violence.  Increasing diversity and specialization create enormous complexities in governance. The current method of organizing these divergent interests under the nation state framework is inadequate. 

Enhancing Architectures of Global Governance

Clearly, the system has to change – globalization makes it inevitable, and the increasing number of critical issues this world faces makes it both necessary and urgent. Such all-encompassing change is not unprecedented – the global political system has changed in the past and clearly continues to evolve. But rather than passively wait for more effective systems to emerge, OEF intends to proactively assist this evolution. Political society has not been able to adapt rapidly enough to the changes, which has created a void in governance, particularly in the global arena. We propose to fill that void by enhancing architectures of global governance that will augment and strengthen the current governance system. OEF defines these governance architectures as multi-level decision-making structures that integrate governments, multilateral agencies, civil societies, and business societies in effective, rules-based systems. This global governance system will feature constellations of inclusive networks with global scope but specialized domains. There will not be one global government with global territory and universal power; on the contrary, OEF intends to create systems that respect the Principle of Subsidiarity – that nothing should be done by a larger or more complex entity if it can be accomplished by a smaller, local entity.

OEF believes that these inclusive structures will be more effective and efficient at solving global problems and better prepared to deal with future issues. Business societies and civil societies tend to have a more global outlook than nation states. Indeed, often the very nature of their work mandates that they focus outside of narrow, territorial interests, making them ideal players in international arenas. OEF will work collectively with diverse global cultures, civil sector organizations, and commercial enterprises to develop a more effective and comprehensive concept and model of global governance.

Business as Partners

OEF will proactively work with business as a key partner in developing effective global governance systems. The business sector has growing human and financial resources and adapts particularly well to the changes caused by technology and globalization. It represents a largely untapped stakeholder in the development of global governance, in part because business perceives governance as outside its scope of operations. Global businesses are a powerful potential resource for the development of global governance.

Business often hesitates to commit resources to support new governance systems that cannot guarantee obvious benefits. However, peace is in business’ ultimate self-interest, so business clearly benefits from governance architectures that lead to peace. OEF will show business' exactly how effective models of global governance enhance their revenue streams, operating efficiency, financial stability, and social legitimacy. We will encourage them to use a portion of that benefit to support the creation of such systems, resulting in structures that are not only inclusive, effective, and efficient, but also replicable and self-sustaining.

[back to top]