Global DemocracyThe Case for a World GovernmentTorbjörn Tännsjö'Democratisation must take place at all levels of human society - local, national, regional and global. Torbjörn Tännsjö's book is a contribution to the globalisation of democratisation.'Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former United Nations Secretary-General'The argument is direct, simple (without being simple-minded), and shows how crucially world government affects what we say about global justice, environmental problems, and war. Tännsjö says strikingly, comprehensively, and in a manner that any literate person could grasp, vital things about these matters.'Professor Kai Nielsen, Concordia University, QuebecIs world government the answer to pressing global issues such as war, global injustices and environmental problems? Torbjörn Tännsjö presents the case for this idea.The notion of a sovereign world government has been defended in the past by philosophers such as Bertrand Russell and A.C. Ewing, but has been eclipsed by less radical ideas to do with peaceful cooperation between sovereign states or, at most, through systems of shared sovereignty.

Tännsjö argues that such solutions cannot be effective; moreover he argues, in response to philosophers such as Kant and Rawls, that not only is a world government necessary if we want to solve pressing global problems, it is desirable in its own right.Short, simple to read, and focusing on the key arguments, Global Democracy is intended for anyone who wants to start to think about political solutions to global problems, putting them into a perspective that deserves to be taken seriously.The author's royalties on sales of this book are being donated to Oxfam.Torbjörn Tännsjö is Kristian Claëson Professor of Practical Philosophy at Stockholm University. He is author of several books including Conservatism for Our Time (1990), Populist Democracy (1993), Hedonistic Utilitarianism (1998) and Unde.