A paradigmatic example of a global system is the internet. It “is unique among all computer systems in that it is built, operated, and used by a multitude of diverse economic interests, in varying relationships of collaboration and competition with each other.” And for sure this multitude of interests cuts across nations to span the whole globe.

Other examples are:

• the energy, water and food supply systems
• the global financial system
• the global city system
• the agents, resources and mechanisms involved in climate policy
• the web of military forces and relations
• globally spreading diseases
• the scientific community

GSS provides evidence about global systems, for example about the network structure of the world economy. This is essential to track, understand and shape how shocks propagate through the global economic system, or how the shift from “the West” towards South-East Asia and other areas may influence global institutional structures like the international monetary system. Producing evidence is equally important in view of other global systems, from the dynamics of social networks to the worldwide interdependence of cities.