About the Book

Political space seems to be shrinking, yet the term 'globalization' is seldom mentioned in connection with political parties. This book asks whether the time is now ripe for global political parties.

Though global civil society is a buzzword, activists seem to reject the idea of global political parties as irrelevant. Yet political parties remain the formal basis for government both nationally and in the current international system. Looking to the future, will existing political parties democratize international governance, or will new political parties emerge to fill this vacuum? Is this a role that the World Social Forum can play?

Featuring contributions from major figures from Samir Amin to Jan Aart Scholte, Global Political Parties is an exciting analysis of what the globalization of party politics would mean for the nation state, global governance and democracy worldwide.

Commendations

'Can we, should we move beyond transnational to global political institutions - social movements, trade-unions, parties? This book assembles a serious discussion and debate about the need for and desirability of global political parties. Crucial reading for all those who want to move forward.' - Immanuel Wallerstein, Yale University

‘This book is a welcome addition to the growing and lively debate on global political parties and the potential of the World Social Forum’ - Dennis Brutus, University of Pittsburgh and University of KwaZulu Natal

Contents

1. Introduction - Katarina Sehm-Patomaki & Marko Ulvila
2. Political parties and global democracy - Jan Aart Scholte
3. Party systems in a globalized world - Thomas Wallgren
4. The World Social Forum - A Global Party in the Making? - Christopher Chase-Dunn & Ellen Reese
5. Researching global parties - Heikki Patomaki & Teivo Teivainen
6. The globalization of party politics - Stephen Gill
7. Towards the fifth international? - Samir Amin
8. The global political - Vijay Pratap
9. Conclusion: Beyond the Political Party/Civil Society Dichotomy - Heikki Patomaki & Teivo Teivainen

About the Authors

Katarina Sehm Patomäki is the executive secretary of the Network Institute for Global Democratization (NIGD) and is also based at the University of Helsinki. Her research focuses on mainly on debt in the developing world.

Marko Ulvila is a freelance researcher and democracy activist based in Tampere, Finland. He is currently member-secretary of the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and chairperson of the Network Institute for Global Democratization (NIGD). He has previously worked for civil society organisations in Finland, Tanzania and India.