Power, order and the future of global institutions

Peter Mandelson, secretary of state for business, enterprise and regulatory reform and Joseph Nye, distinguished professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government took part in a public debate on "After the American election: the power to lead in a multi-polar world?" in London on 6 November, 2008.

The speakers addressed the challenges facing the West in the emerging new multi-polar order, two days after this year's historic US election. Phenomenal economic growth in Asia and other parts of the "developing" world seems to be leading to the formation of a new constellation of global power. As the United States struggles with the current financial crisis, the attractiveness of its model appears diminished. The debate focused on the shape that the emerging world order is likely to take and the strategies that the West should adopt in response.

The debate was preceded by a seminar on "Power, order and the future of global institutions". The high-level seminar brought together a range of experts and policy-makers to discuss the implications of the changing constellation of global power for the future world order, and to explore how international institutions need to be altered to meet the demands of an increasingly multi-polar world.

These events took place in addition to Foresight's regular regional symposia. Foresight will hold a major symposium in the USA in June, 2009. Further details forthcoming.