Global Contract Report

The discussion paper; Global Contract Report 2005 defines the term global contract and proposes assessment criteria to be met by potential global contracts. The identified criteria should be discussed, applied and further developed by those in academia and politics, when analysing potential global contracts in the future. The report begins with a broad explanation and is set within the framework of the global ethical view of the Foundation. In order to reach a sustainable global political order, a paradigm shift in various respects is required. Political discourses will need to incorporate a global, future-oriented and interdisciplinary mind-set where intercultural differences are respected. A central purpose of the Global Contract Report is the definition of the term global contract: A global contract is a multilateral agreement between significant actors that stands above all national and supranational agreements. A global contract either regulates critical issues that are of global relevance within the context of a sustainable global political order, or supports the establishment of institutions that will effectively deal with such issues. A global contract consists of the following formal criteria: significant issues, global relevance, binding character according to international law, effective sanctioning mechanisms, legitimization of actors, global reach, funding for implementation, establishment of suitable supporting institutions and flexible decision processes, and effective regulation. In addition, a global contract also stands for the normative criteria: promotion of sustainability, compliance with the principles of justice, preservation of peace, safeguarding human rights, and promotion of global wellfare. Alternatively, it does not hinder the realization of these criteria. Until now, such multilateral agreements have taken the form of international agreements, protocols, international pacts, general declarations, statutes, acts, conventions and declarations. The definition is closely based on the idea of global governance. The concept of the global contract, however, essentially takes a legal perspective.

In the report the formal and normative criteria are described in greater detail. By means of these criteria it can be assessed whether a potential global contract successfully qualifies as a legitimate global contract. When a contract does not meet all criteria, it cannot be regarded as a true global contract. In addition, the report also works to separate the difference between a global contract and a global social contract. The report is directed at the broader public and therefore aims to use simple but effective language. The reader can then gain a clear understanding of exactly what is being regulated by the respective documents and why these agreements, declarations, reports, protocols and treaties are so relevant to our daily lives. Further to this it is made clear to the reader, just what a challenge it is to develop international framework conditions into legitimate and effective global contracts. In order for this to occur, it is crucial that the listed criteria be followed. The report endeavours to spark the interest of the reader and make them aware of past and future contract negotiations, like for example those in Rio 1992, in Kioto in 1997 or in Durban in 2011. At the same time, the criteria specified in the definition of the term global contract should serve as a basis for discussions within academia and politics. Within the fields of academia and politics, this definition should also be applied, revised and further developed where possible this should be done in conjunction with the Global Contract Foundation. The matter of global contract will undoubtedly remain relevant for decades to come, or potentially even increase in importance.

Strength of Materials: Gere & Temoshenko, B C Punamia Structural Analysis: Negi, S Ramamurtham, C K Vang Concrete Structures: Punamia & Jain, H J Shah Steel Structures: Duggal Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering: Ranjan & Rao, Venkat Ramaiha, S K Garg Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics: Modi & Seth, R K Bansal, Subramanyam Hydrology: Subramanyam Irrigation: S K Garg Highway Engineering: Khanna & Jasto, Kadiyali