here is no question that the way we govern ourselves is undergoing fundamental shifts. From the rise of authoritarian populism to the use of AI and shifting global political alliances,the post-World War II governance structures to which we are accustomed are changing rapidly at every level. The globe is facing overlapping crises and our institutions are not fit for purpose—in this there is grave danger that we will not be able to solve our collective challenges; and many people will be left behind.
But despite all of this, let me explain why I am a governance optimist.
New technologies certainly have downsides, but think for example about how AI can help governments analyze financial transactions, monitor processes, root out corruption, and automate compliance—the efficiency and transparency gains can be monumental. Or consider the key role the private sector is now playing in terms of governance—examples include diaspora bonds, revolving funds to address issues such as climate change, and impact investment funds that include governance components.
Multilateral institutions are also adapting rapidly. See the recent IMF Governance Linked Bond in Sri Lanka for instance, or the new CIVIC facility within the World Bank to support social innovation. Frameworks are emerging—including through the recently concluded UN Financing for Development Conference—to mobilize significant private capital for governance related work, including through performance–based contracts, results–based financing, and more.
Many governments are also stepping up despite the massive challenges we face—through the Open Government Partnership for instance, Armenia has developed a comprehensive approach to countering mis– and disinformation. The Philippines has adopted laws and standards that are opening up billions of dollars of public contracts to scrutiny by citizens. Brazil is engaging millions of citizens in collective policy prioritization—and these are only several of many other examples.
But there is a thread that connects all of these efforts across domains and organizations, and that is people. These are all collections of people who are influenced—both for good and bad—by all of us, one way or another. We are not passive bystanders, we all have a role to play. Whether that is through building feedback loops in communities, engaging in participatory democracy processes like citizens’ assemblies, or driving forward decentralized decision making around issues such as climate governance through blockchain–based carbon offset trading.
These efforts can start locally but impact globally. Governance is a process, not an outcome—and it is certainly not linear. To adapt our collective governance frameworks, from communities upwards to international policy and back down, it is all of us that will drive the outcomes we need.
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Governance has been, will remain, driven by people
Image by Johnnie Shannon from Pixabay
July 16, 2025
Governance is a process, not an outcome—and while it is not linear it remains driven by the people governed. Amid concern over the impact of emerging technologies on our governing institutions, the path forward will be heavily influenced by the governed, writes Blair Glencorse.
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here is no question that the way we govern ourselves is undergoing fundamental shifts. From the rise of authoritarian populism to the use of AI and shifting global political alliances,the post-World War II governance structures to which we are accustomed are changing rapidly at every level. The globe is facing overlapping crises and our institutions are not fit for purpose—in this there is grave danger that we will not be able to solve our collective challenges; and many people will be left behind.
But despite all of this, let me explain why I am a governance optimist.
New technologies certainly have downsides, but think for example about how AI can help governments analyze financial transactions, monitor processes, root out corruption, and automate compliance—the efficiency and transparency gains can be monumental. Or consider the key role the private sector is now playing in terms of governance—examples include diaspora bonds, revolving funds to address issues such as climate change, and impact investment funds that include governance components.
Multilateral institutions are also adapting rapidly. See the recent IMF Governance Linked Bond in Sri Lanka for instance, or the new CIVIC facility within the World Bank to support social innovation. Frameworks are emerging—including through the recently concluded UN Financing for Development Conference—to mobilize significant private capital for governance related work, including through performance–based contracts, results–based financing, and more.
Many governments are also stepping up despite the massive challenges we face—through the Open Government Partnership for instance, Armenia has developed a comprehensive approach to countering mis– and disinformation. The Philippines has adopted laws and standards that are opening up billions of dollars of public contracts to scrutiny by citizens. Brazil is engaging millions of citizens in collective policy prioritization—and these are only several of many other examples.
But there is a thread that connects all of these efforts across domains and organizations, and that is people. These are all collections of people who are influenced—both for good and bad—by all of us, one way or another. We are not passive bystanders, we all have a role to play. Whether that is through building feedback loops in communities, engaging in participatory democracy processes like citizens’ assemblies, or driving forward decentralized decision making around issues such as climate governance through blockchain–based carbon offset trading.
These efforts can start locally but impact globally. Governance is a process, not an outcome—and it is certainly not linear. To adapt our collective governance frameworks, from communities upwards to international policy and back down, it is all of us that will drive the outcomes we need.
