Multistakeholder governance is being proposed as the new way forward in global governance. For some in civil society and government, it is because they are frustrated with the lack of power of the UN system and multilateralism; for others, particularly in the corporate world, because they want a more direct hand and potentially a legitimate role in global governance.

This book examines the challenges presented to multilateralism and democracy by the further development of multistakeholderism. From a theoretical, historical perspective it describes briefly how the debate on global governance evolved and what working principles of multilateralism are under threat from multi-stakeholder governance. From a sociological perspective, the book identifies a series of organizational beliefs shared by participants in multistakeholder groups and the likely change in the roles that leaders in government, civil society, and private sector will face as they evolve into potential global governors. From a practical perspective, the book addresses the governance issues which organizations and individuals should assess before deciding to participate in or support a particular multistakeholder group. The practical chapters are based around sets of key issues and questions with case study examples used throughout the book.

Given the current emphasis on "participation" as one of the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals, the book will have wide appeal across policy-making and professional sectors involved in negotiations and governance at various scales, including international, national, regional and local. It will also be of interest to students studying applied governance.