Some Reflections on the Oslo Symposium

Abstract

There can be no question of drawing consensual conclusions from such a wide-ranging discussion, covering so many aspects of world political economy, as occurred in the course of the symposium held within the framework of the MUNS programme at Vikersund near Oslo in August 1993. It is, however, possible to point to a certain basic approach, common to most of the participants and, indeed, characterizing the MUNS programme itself as it has developed. The elements of this common approach can be discussed under the three headings of epistemology, ontology, and strategy. The first is a conscious questioning of the nature of knowledge, a critical examination of its foundations. The second is an effort to identify the significant factors in world political economy. The third is a concern with how to move world affairs from its present condition towards the normative goals enunciated in the MUNS programme.