Globalization is advancing, whether we like it or not, whether we care to notice it or not. Some form of global polity will evolve, sooner or later. If we don’t want the world to be run by corporations, we have to come up with alternatives.

One helpful source for alternatives visions of global governance is the EU. Yes, it’s nightmarishly bureaucratic. But Europe is in the middle of a Constitutional Convention that could change all that. The way things are going so far, it could be a model international democracy.

My favorite convention rep so far is Alain Lamassoure. In one of his contributions to the dialogue, he suggests four possible models the EU could use to organize itself around. They’re pretty good food for thought.

1. Confederation. You know, like the South during the Civil War. Preference given to “states rights.” Weak central government. Doesn’t seem too different from the EU as it is now. Tiny budget, funded at the whim of the states.

2. Federation. Like the US now. Strong central government overshadows the states. Directly elected president. Large central budget funded by direct taxation.

3. Half and Half. Use the confederal model when it’s a domestic issue. Use the federal model for foreign relations. Seems pretty unstable and weak.

4. Community. The central government only does what the individual states cannot do for themselves: manage the common economy, foreign policy, and defense. Small budget funded by direct taxation.