Multilateralism: a bad thing?

There are some who would instantaneously agree and display raised eyebrows at the very suggestion of such a thing. Their reaction would imply we are somehow engaging in an extramarital affair by looking beyond our relationship with the United States.

But this is nonsense. If you take the four big issues of our time: terrorism, climate change, global security and global finance no country can afford to strike out on its own.

That is the first point to make.

The second point is this: anti-institutionalism should not divert us from the collaborative approach we must take to solving the issues above. Indeed there is much that we can do before we even reach the doors of the United Nations, World Bank, IMF, GATT etc.

Thirdly intention must be distinguished from implementation. It is not a pipe dream to intend to improve the global situation. Therefore let agreement on a better world come before wrangles over debates over signs and seating arrangements.