5. Back to Nukes? Global Governance’s Transitional Moment

This chapter speaks of a transitional moment triggered by, among others, three forces: the slow decline of the global hegemon and the concentrating aspects of modern capitalism and science; simultaneously alienating segments of society, via income inequality; and groups of countries, by the asymmetric distribution of information processing capabilities. I venture that the transition will involve a more chaotic, dangerous period of poorer governance, in which the key feature will be a proliferation of states, either claiming a greater voice in world affairs or defying hegemonic intentions. The way to back such behaviour, and protect a disputed or menaced sovereignty, is to arm oneself with nuclear weapons. This would maintain and increase a state of flux in global governance (GG), beyond dominating and conditioning other transformations and processes—most importantly that of capitalism itself or its oft-predicted demise. If the hard times ahead do not lead to the end of the world, new forms of governance might eventually emerge. The transition would then have been concluded, and a new cycle could begin.