Editors' Introduction.

1. Democracy and the International System: Norberto Bobbio.

2. Peace or Democracy? Luigi Bonanate.

3. European Institutions, Nation-States and Nationalism: Mary Kaldor.

4. Democracy and the New International Order: David Held.

5. From the United Nations to Cosmopolitan Democracy: Daniele Archibugi.

6. The World Order between Inter-State law and the Law of Humanity: the Role of Civil Society Institutions: Richard Falk.

Index.

The contributors to this volume offer an analysis of the contemporary conjuncture in international politics and present an alternative model of international organization: cosmopolitan democracy. This model is based upon the recognition of the continuing significance of nation-states, while arguing for a layer of governance that would constitute a limitation on national sovereignty. The case is made for the creation of new cosmopolitan institutions which would coexist with the system of states but would override states in clearly defined spheres of activity. The term democracy in this context refers not merely to the formal construction of new democratic institutions, but also the possibility of broad civic participation in decision-making and the redistribution of power at regional and global levels.

The six essays which comprise this volume present a highly original overview of the key international issues of our times as well as a novel agenda for the extension of democracy on a transnational basis. The contributors are Norberto Bobbio, Luigi Bonanate, Mary Kaldor, David Held, Daniele Archibugi and Richard Falk.