Postnational Democracy: A Cultural Paradigm Shift in the Global Legal Order?

Abstract

Many global issues – from climate change to financial crises, from migration waves to management of pandemics, to name a few – have at their root a series of structural imbalances in our economic and cultural models. To move beyond the management of the emergency, the roots of the problems need to be addressed. A double paradigm shift is required: a paradigm shift in cultural models and awareness and a second one concerning global rules and institutions. As for the first one, there is a need to move from a state-centric cultural and educational model to the awareness of our belonging to mankind and our shared interest in the well-being of Planet Earth. The legal and implications of such a new narrative would push humanity to manage their common heritage as global citizens through new democratic supranational and transnational models.