Global Problems

In the global village, where people and goods move around much faster than ever before and information spreads as quickly as a lightning, the borders between individual states de facto make little sense. The conflict in the Near East forces the refugees to Europe. Epidemics, such as Ebola and bird’s flue, may allegedly threaten the entire world within a few weeks. One bubble bursting in Wall Street might devastate all the global economy. Many companies do not pay almost any taxes in the countries in which they undertake business; instead, they pay them in tax havens in the Caribbean or, for instance, on Cyprus.  In the moments of unprecedented prosperity in some countries, thousands of infants die of diarrhoea or other trivial diseases in other countries. Global climate changes and, as a rule, who becomes the most afflicted are the most vulnerable ones. Global problems are not global because they would not have local impacts, but because they do not have a local solution.

Is it possible to create efficient mechanisms to prevent dispersion of epidemics? How much does it cost to save life of one child in the least developed countries? And is anybody ready to pay this amount? Will the countries be able to agree on the measures concerning the fighting and counteracting climate changes? Should there be a global regulation of financial markets? How to handle tax havens? And, actually, are the top political officials determined to do anything about them? Should internet be regulated? Should more walls be erected to prevent further migration of people? Are diverse states and regions able to agree on the solution to common problems?

If we seek to understand global problems and wish to be able to draft solutions to them, we have to study them.