Inadequate global policy-making

The world currently has a complex collection of intergovernmental organizations of very limited effectiveness and which are generally subject to the vested interests of the major powers. They are divided into three main groups: the United Nations and its network of specialized agencies; the financial organizations associated with the World Bank; and those whose membership is limited to the richest countries (such as OECD or the Group of 7). These bodies give the appearance of being able to deal with every possible issue. But in fact their powers are extremely limited and their exact role in different domains is never clearly defined. They can only operate effectively when there is a consensus between member States. Such consensus is, with some rare exceptions, usually of a purely verbal nature. As a result the current system is unable to guarantee peace, it legitimates oppressive regimes, it systematically produces decisions favouring the most powerful (or against the general interest), it prevents any effective dialogue between the rich and the poor, and it provides a hypocritical cover for archaic mental structures in the name of the great principles of the UN charter.