On the basis of the concept/interpretation of (an) International Society (English School of IR). Can we allege reasons for having a (effective or even formal) world police/executive branch (currently US lead) as a societal institution. And other states as a counterweight, acting as checks and balances (like Russia, China), as a kind of societal control institution or as a substitute for (the role of) the civil society.
In positive perspective: explaining the factual/current societal roles of states. And/or normatively: suggesting that—in the assumed framework of an International Society—there should be the particular role of a police as well as division of powers.
The point is English School is ecletic and does not offer an alternative to this dilema. The consequence is that concepts which are incompatible with each other can not be operated in terms of strategies of empirical investigation. This is exactly what ecletism means: everything, even incompatible concepts, become part of the same problem or issue or theory.
I like Rodrigo's answer very much, especially his point about empirical investigation. I would say ecelticismi is even more true of the English School now than a couple of decade ago. They have now developed approaches to world society and (see Kal Holsti) have very interesting ideas on institutions. In some respects they overlap with some of Jim Rosenau's Turbulence approach. And, of course, in others they certainly do not. It offers more and more useful variables than structural realism or liberalism, in my view.
James C. Hsiung
(a) The architects of the post-WWII world order saw the wisdom of the equivalent of a world police in the institution of collective security (in the original, true sense of the term) through the U.N. Security Council. Per Art. 43 of the UN Charter, member states are expected to place troops under the disposal of the SC, to be commanded by a Military Staff Committee (established under Art. 47), into battle against an aggressor that has been identified by the SC (under Art. 39), and as authorized by the SC. The "enforcement action" as such is to be supported by all member states as an obligation (Arts. 25 and 48) incumbent upon them as members of the UN. And, an SC authorized use of force, as such, should serve the kind of function that a "world police" would be expected to perform.
But, due to the Cold War and its divisive effects, the SC (mainly two of its permanent members, US and Russia) could, and still can, NOT agree on the terms under which member states are to place their designated troops under the SC's command, although the Military Staff Committee has been in existence for decades.
(b) Earlier, I referred to the "wisdom" of the architects of the post-WWII world order, for a reason. They knew that the "collective" approach would be much more sensible than expecting any one state, such as the U.S., to serve as the world's "police". Any singular answer would only see that one state arrogate to itself the role of a hegemon that would hardly remain above the abuse of its power over others, and in selective ways.
(c) So, the answer to your question is to go back to Art. 43 of the Charter, now that the Cold War is two and a half decades behind us. Maybe an agreement will be possible as to the terms under which member states will contribute their troops to the Security Council. These troops will be at the disposal of the SC, to be used under the command of the existing Military Staff Committee, in times when "police" action will be needed.
James C. Hsiung
"World police" the anarchical nature of the world system itself does not and cannot pave a way for the creation of world police. Already the presence of major powers versus lesser powers, those with military and economic advantage have always decided the fate of the rest of the nations. They decide what is right and wrong? If not then there won't be any war against Iraq, Libya or Syria. But even in International Relations, we all know that there are big bullies who dictate the state of affairs. If a 'world police' is needed, it will surely emerge from them.
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