Global crisis

It’s now too small to solve the world's big problems and too big to solve its little ones. Where new heads of state should take their first trip is hotly debated among staff members, the destinations designed to send messages to allies and adversaries alike. Plans are laid, agreements are signed, speeches are given. Real business can get done on these trips. Particularly later in an administration, the need for “deliverables” on an impending trip creates the kind of deadline that pushes the wheels of diplomacy forward.

It depends on agreements and understandings between states, when so many of the global threats and challenges we face arise from forces deep within them. These forces can be shaped by the presidents, kings, and ministers as the machinery of foreign affairs is presently constructed.

Considering the radical Islamist terrorism, currently stemming from an entire network of individuals and groups pledging allegiance to the Islamic State. The politics of a successful military drive are complicated, with an effort versus a common enemy splintering on rivalries between purported coalition members: the Turks vs. the Kurds; Syria-Russia-Iran vs. the United States and the Sunni states. But even if all these governments succeed in depriving the self-proclaimed caliphate of physical territory, the death and destruction involved will create countless martyrs and new recruiting videos for ISIS and its associated groups to use in a continuing networked jihad.

How can heads of state address these problems?

They could conclude a treaty, taking years to negotiate and even more years to implement, these issues are largely domestic matters. The only way is to leave the realm of traditional law and politics and to design, build and manage regional and global networks. These networks can include government officials, particularly at the sub-national level, such as governors and mayors, but must also engage corporate and civic actors.

Bloomberg Philanthropies had a similar impact on efforts to alleviate climate change. Over the past decade it has created multiple networks of cities dedicated to reducing carbon emissions for the sake of their citizens, which it has now brought together under the umbrella of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.

Assessment

Hillary Clinton began this process in the State Department eight years back, appointing ambassadors and special representatives to women, civil society, youth, Muslim communities, technologists, and business around the world.

The networks should not rest only with philanthropy, but also with corporate leaders and governments themselves. Instead of practicing statecraft, they can learn the ways of webcraft.