10 Ways That World Federalists Plan To Unite the World

World federalists are globally minded citizens who believe global institutions should work together to enable us to abolish war, protect our rights and freedoms, and solve crises that cannot be solved one country at a time. These institutions would be based on international law that is democratic and accountable to the world's citizens. They would be set up to work only on global issues while respecting the diversity and autonomy of our national and local communities.

1.More Democracy

World federalists believe that citizens around the world should have a voice in decisions that affect them globally. A proposed United Nations Parliamentary Assembly would provide for appointed or elected representatives in a consultative subsidiary body (similar to the Human Rights Council) which could integrate public opinion into global debates on conflict prevention, climate security, poverty and human rights.

2.More Global

Similar to their Swiss and American forebears, world federalists understand that some global challenges transcend borders of existing states and that no nation acting alone can solve them. Attempting to solve climate change one nation at a time, for example, will only make a dent in the level of greenhouse gas emissions. The problem needs to be addressed as a global issue and approached from a global solution perspective.

3.More Federal

In identifying issues which require global solutions, world federalists argue strongly that concerns which can be solved at the local or national level must remain within the jurisdiction of national governments. Global institutions should be strengthened to address global problems only, such as international terrorism, nuclear proliferation and climate change, while respecting the diversity and autonomy of national and local communities.

4.More Human Rights

Recognition of our inherent and inalienable rights as humans precedes and transcends national governments. A common and global standard, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948, should be the starting point by which American values such as equality before the law become global norms.

5.Fair and Just International Law

Any norms or laws adopted at the global level should reflect a commitment to just, equitable treatment of all countries and their citizens. The processes by which such laws would be adopted must be democratic, transparent and accountable to those affected – We the People.

6.International Courts

To ensure just and equitable treatment and recourse for violations of human rights, laws must be enforced through politically independent and robust courts. The International Criminal Court is the first independent judicial body established to prosecute individual violators (not entire countries) of war crimes, crimes against humanity and mass atrocities. Such courts function as complements to national justice systems, prosecuting crimes for which individual countries cannot or will not seek justice.

7.Individual and Universal Accountability

Whether in our local communities, national governments or on the world stages, crimes are often committed or ordered by individuals. They may be the head of state, but they are personally responsible and should be held personally accountable. No one is above the law.

8.More Secure

Current UN peacekeeping has been compared to a volunteer fire department, in which every time a fire breaks out, the UN must first find fire engines and the funds to run them before there can be any start to dousing the flames. World federalists propose establishing a permanent and integrated UN Emergency Peace Service – effectively a “UN 911”—comprised of individually recruited military, police and civilian personnel that can rapidly deploy when mandated by the UN Security Council to help in the prevention of armed conflict and genocide.

9.Less Aggressive

With countries cooperating on global issues more fully through democratically accountable global institutions, the potential for aggressive conflict will be reduced. A United Nations Emergency Peace Service will respond to threats against civilians of a global nature while allowing national military personnel to remain closer to families and communities, bringing their skills in organized and efficient emergency response to the defense of neighbors and citizens, for example, affected by natural disasters.

10.More money

The current system of reliance on national military forces is a very expensive way to provide global stability and security. The world federalist vision of reliance on international courts and a UN Emergency Peace Service force will free up taxes paid by national citizens to be redirected to improve local infrastructure, education, health, job creation and social problems at home.

Join the Global Solutions Action Network!

If the vision and goals above appeal to you, we invite you to join the Global Solutions Action Network. We know that it is only when constituents like you raise your “global voice” for innovative global solutions that our elected leaders do the right thing.