Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The positive outcomes of globalization are increasingly overshadowed by negative external effects. Climate change, environmental pollution, or resource depletion may serve as examples. In spite of some regulatory attempts the results have not been satisfactory to many stakeholders to reduce negative external effects. Whereas some noteworthy research can be found on the existence of external effects and on possible ways to internalize these effects, hardly any research has addressed the delegation of decision power to the affected parties at different levels to cope with the problem. Therefore, we aim at closing this research gap by developing a novel framework on how to delegate decision-making power based on the related negative external effects of the decisions. Starting with the concept of subsidiarity, which, according to Alexandre Tocqueville, can be a counterweight to centralized decision-making, we argue that a new “principle of global subsidiarity” is needed, where decisions are made by the actors that are actually affected by the external effects. The framework is based on a delegation loop. It includes the delegation of the decision making to the involved actors, ranging from the local to the global level, as well as the subsequent delegation of the adopted implementation measures to those affected. By doing so, we hope to generate a framework for decision making at different levels that will enhance the legitimacy of decisions by empowering relevant and affected stakeholders.