• Research
  • Politika
  • About
Carnegie Russia Eurasia center logoCarnegie lettermark logo
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [
    "P.J. Simmons"
  ],
  "type": "other",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "United States"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Economy",
    "Trade",
    "Foreign Policy"
  ]
}
REQUIRED IMAGE

REQUIRED IMAGE

Other

Global Challenges: Beating the Odds

Link Copied
By P.J. Simmons
Published on Jul 25, 2002

Source: Carnegie

The rising number of global problems includes many grave challenges. The recent record of international response, however, offers guides to "dos and don'ts" that can help muster effective action. Although few such lessons are widely known, a study of the record across fields yields rich insights. Essential for effective action are systems that constructively engage the multiplying number of state and nonstate players, that verify adherence to commitments, and that measure how well agreements—not just parties to them—are performing. Adequate funding for such activities-generally not forthcoming-is mandatory, as is support for poor nations that lack the capacity to participate. American leadership has been critical to progress. Recently, it has come into question. Even if the United States disagrees with certain multilateral approaches, however, it should pursue alternative remedies.

Click on the link above for full text of this Policy Brief.

A limited number of print copies are also available.
Request a copy

About the Author
P. J. Simmons is associate at the Carnegie Endowment, where he launched the Managing Global Issues Project in 1997. Previously he founded the Environmental Change and Security Project at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He is the coeditor of Managing Global Issues: Lessons Learned (Carnegie Endowment 2001). In September Simmons will direct a public education project on global issues at the Heinz Center.

About the Author

P.J. Simmons

Former Associate

P.J. Simmons
Former Associate
Political ReformEconomyTradeForeign PolicyUnited States

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Russia Is Exporting Its Fuel Crisis to Central Asia

    When faced with fuel shortages in the past, Central Asian governments could always count on additional supplies from Moscow. That safety net no longer exists.

      Galiya Ibragimova

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Russia Is Approaching a Political Crossroads

    Two divergent trends—Putin’s hardline vision of how to prosecute the war in Ukraine, and a growing desire for change in Russia—could tear the regime apart. 

      Tatiana Stanovaya

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Control Above Reform: What’s Behind Ukraine’s Government and Security Reshuffle?

    Ultimately, Zelensky sided neither with the reform camp nor with the military establishment as such, but with political control.

      Balázs Jarábik

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Where Are President Tokayev’s Political Reforms Leading Kazakhstan?

    Tokayev’s predecessor, Nursultan Nazarbayev, outlined arrangements for a power transition too soon and in too much detail, ultimately losing control over the process. Tokayev is determined not to meet the same fate.

      Temur Umarov

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Parliamentary Elections in Occupied Ukraine Risk Backfiring for the Kremlin

    Despite unhappiness on the ground, Moscow is determined to use both carrot and stick to ensure there is record support for United Russia in occupied Ukraine.

      Konstantin Skorkin

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
Carnegie Russia Eurasia logo, white
  • Research
  • Politika
  • About
  • Experts
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • For Media
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.