CIVIL SOCIETY AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS' PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL GOVERNANCE: INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL LEGAL SYSTEMS

Valentina Rustichini, University of Siena

Abstract

Social societies are closely related to each other, and their systems of governance should include the following principles of good governance: openness, participation, accountability, effectiveness and coherence. It is essential for a democracy to ensure the involvement of civil society in the decision-making procedures concerning the shaping of public policies that affects people’s lives. The lack of transparency and the unequal division of power and participation in these procedures are issues of increasing concern. This paper examines how a civil law system like Italy’s, a common law system like the United Kingdom’s, and some international organisations such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), create a democratic and sustainable global governance through their decision-making procedures which allow multiple stakeholders including civil societies and civil organisations to be involved. In particular, I will analyse the regulations established by national public administrations in national legal systems and by international organisations, and will focus on a critical and analytical perspective.