Neither True Powers, Nor Effective Counterpowers: What Role For Democratic States In A Globalized World?[Ni Vrais Pouvoirs, Ni Contre-Pouvoirs Efficaces: Quel Rôle Pour Les États Démocratiques Dans Un Monde Globalisé?]

Globalization deeply challenges the traditional role of states, not only economically and socially, but also politically. In addition, it is often accompanied by a rise in power of the sub-national public authorities. The concomitance of these two changes narrows the traditional field of state sovereignty and deprives democratic governments with much of their power. In addition, States find it difficult to be effective counter-powers and to impose a minimum of rules of the game on the main players in the global world. Tax havens and the taxation of Internet giants, the control of financial flows and speculative practices, the preservation of personal data and privacy: in all these areas democracies struggle to preserve their values. We must therefore rethink the role of States in a globalized world. In terms of the objectives of their action, this involves refocusing on the management of systemic risks linked to the emergence of what Ulrich Beck calls the "Weltrisikogesellschaft" (the global risk society). However, their methods of intervention must also be called into question: faced with globally coordinated economic actors, the framework of the nation-state is totally unsuitable and the articulation of public policies must be rethought at different levels.