Markets, Governments, Communities and Global Governance Alberto Martinelli University of Milan abstract: In this article the author introduces the argument by stating what should be changed in our sociological perspectives, stressing the contradictory character of the social world in the 21st century as a single system and a frag- mented world, and identifying global integration and global governance as key problematic questions. He then addresses these questions from a sociological perspective, updating existing theories and discussing the role of markets, govern- ment organizations and communities as institutional mechanisms of social integration and governance of the world system. More specifically, he examines: (1) inter- national markets and transnational corporations (TNCs) as institutions that operate largely, although not exclusively, according to the exchange principle; (2) nation-states, inter- national organizations, and supranational unions as insti- tutions that operate largely, although not exclusively, according to the legitimate authority principle; and (3) collec- tive movements and epistemic communities as institutions that operate largely, although not exclusively, according to the solidarity principle. Finally, the author explains his notion of democratic global governance and analyses the main factors favouring or hindering peaceful integration and democratic governance at the world level. keywords: collective movements ✦ European Union ✦ international associations ✦ markets ✦ nation-states The social world at the beginning of the 21st century is increasingly one world, but at the same time remains fragmented, conflict-ridden, hier- archical and unequal. It is at one and the same time a global system and a fragmented world, with unprecedented opportunities of greater justice International Sociology ✦ June 2003 ✦ Vol 18(2): 291–323 SAGE (London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi) [0268-5809(200306)18:2;291–323;033348] 291 at Sage Publications (UK) on June 28, 2010 http://iss.sagepub.com Downloaded from