Sunday, January 11, 2009

How do we govern an international peacemaking force?

I think an international peacemaking force needs to be governed by institutions with at least the following qualities:

It needs multiple layers as checks and balances on each other.

It needs to have a small governing body with authority to make rapid decisions during a crisis.

The decision-making body needs to be appointed by a larger governing body or bodies.

The appointing and governing processes need to have a healthy infusion of democracy.

On the other hand, there needs to be elements in the process to avoid pitfalls of democracy, such as:
Demagoguery - political opportunists whipping up negative sentiments in populations to achieve political power.
Buying votes - wealthy elite and other special interests getting their way by buying advertising and giving away favors.
Tribalism - each ethnic group voting their own interests at the detriment of neighboring groups.

There should be layers of governance that consist of people with experience and respect for their diplomatic ability and sense of justice.

There needs to be both regional layers and world-wide layers as checks on power.

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