Playing with Fire

Abstract

Post–World War II regimes for global problems are now dated and under stress. They need strengthening and updating. Controls are needed to prevent pandemics, limit climate change, and avoid nuclear war. New technologies require new norms and codes of conduct to guide expected behavior of governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals. These must be developed against the background of the rise of authoritarian rivals. Russia seeks to undermine democratic powers by disinformation, China to surpass them via information and communications technology. This chapter proposes cross-culturally acceptable norms: respect for facts and evolving knowledge; cooperation; avoiding harm and minimizing risk; equity, sustainability, and participation; and accountability. Science and technology are ubiquitous in world affairs, linked to politics, economics, business, law, psychology, and culture. This synthesis deserves recognition as an academic discipline. The book ends on a fundamental ethical issue: what are people willing to do today to avoid future catastrophic damage?