by Jacopo DeMarinis | Nov 24, 2022 | World Federation
If humanity is to survive in the face of climate change, nuclear proliferation, and international political conflict, we must muster the courage to act with conviction and unity. On every level, starting at the individual and rising to the nation state, we must adopt the mindset with which world leaders approached the enormous task of ensuring global peace following the horrors of World War II. Yet, unfortunately, we are currently lacking that conviction and that unity.
Multilateral institutions have all too often failed to fulfill their mandate. António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, publicly acknowledged the failure of the UN Security Council, the organ of the United Nations tasked with ensuring global security and peace, to prevent or end the Ukraine war. The Security Council has been ineffective because it is composed of five permanent members―the United States, China, Russia, France, and Britain―that have veto power that can block any resolution set forth to cope with conflict, as Russia has repeatedly done with respect to the Ukraine war.
Although there is a general consensus that the climate crisis must be addressed internationally, climate accords tend to be legally unenforceable and are easily stymied by disagreement over which countries are most responsible for cutting back on fossil fuel emissions and how to establish a roadmap for emissions reduction. For example, the Paris Accords require countries to set their “national determined contributions,” which can be lax or stringent, and rely mainly on peer pressure to promote compliance. Furthermore, the backing of the largest emissions contributors, the United States and China, is crucial if these agreements are to be effective. International action on climate change was greatly hindered by the U.S. government’s decision against ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, just as the Paris Agreement suffered greatly when the Trump administration decided to pull the United States out of it.
Nor do our current global institutions seem capable of securing nuclear disarmament. Nuclear weapons states (NWS) like Russia, China, and the United States have recently failed to honor their nuclear disarmament commitments, with the Russian government refusing to back the final draft of an updated declaration on the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Furthermore, China, the United States, Russia, and the six other NWS have declined to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, an agreement promoted by non-nuclear weapons states frustrated with the failure of the nuclear powers to adhere to the nuclear disarmament commitments laid out in the NPT.
To effectively address these transnational threats, we need to begin strengthening and transforming the United Nations into a democratically-elected world federation. This is a colossal yet imperative task currently promoted by the World Federalist Movement and its U.S. member organization, Citizens for Global Solutions.
Why is a world federation necessary?
As the philosopher Emery Reves argued, the Industrial Revolution ushered in an economically and physically interdependent world while leaving political decision-making power in the hands of individual states. This is a lawless system that gave rise to the world wars. The only way to prevent conflict is to transfer some political authority to a higher source: a world government. Norman Cousins, former editor-in-chief of the Saturday Review, put the need for world federalism in the context of the atomic age, arguing that the advent of the nuclear bomb made national sovereignty “obsolete.” In an unregulated international environment, any country could easily acquire nuclear weapons, thereby threatening the national sovereignty of others, as well as all humankind. Thus, the concession of absolute national sovereignty is essential to secure the stability and survival of all nations in the future.
How can a world government be created?
One key proposal is to strengthen the United Nations by transforming the General Assembly into a world legislature that can pass binding resolutions. Richard Hudson, a world federalist, argued that such a legislature could employ a procedure for decision-making in which binding resolutions would be approved with a two-thirds majority vote of the current member states, countries that represent two-thirds of the total population of the member states, and nations that contribute two-thirds of funds to the world government’s budget. World federalists also advocate reforming the UN Security Council by revoking the veto and increasing the number of permanent members on the Council, key reforms supported by figures like Brazil’s newly-elected president, Lula da Silva. Other key suggestions include creating an “International Disarmament Organization” and strengthening the International Criminal Court.
The newly created world government could be equipped to effectively address climate change, interstate conflict, and nuclear proliferation. Each country’s national military could be reduced to what is required for internal policing, diverting military budgets into domestic infrastructure that would enhance its citizens’ quality of life. An “international peacekeeping force” could be created to enforce world law and prevent interstate conflict as part of an international executive branch. Furthermore, the democratically-elected world legislature could require the complete disarmament of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. As for climate change, the world government could issue binding resolutions guiding the Earth toward a more sustainable future through green technology and climate change mitigation. Furthermore, some world federalists and environmental activists advocate the creation of an International Court for the Environment, which could provide an enforcement mechanism for climate treaties.
Is a world republic is unattainable?
What country would agree to limit its absolute sovereignty? And yes, a country whose political leaders are held captive by special interests like military contractors and the fossil fuel industry might not agree to such an arrangement. Yet if the people unite with conviction to claim their right to live in a peaceful world, free from nuclear weapons, and to enjoy an economically and environmentally sustainable future―birthrights a world federal government is uniquely positioned to protect―this seemingly unattainable dream could become our reality.
by Donna Park | Oct 9, 2022 | World Federation
I am a grandmother, and I have a dream that grandparents will work with their grandchildren to unite the world and build a better future.
But first we need to have a vision of how the world could be improved.
Many global problems face the world today
There are many problems facing the world today, including war and the threat of nuclear destruction, climate change, human rights abuses, hunger, extreme poverty, growing income inequality, and global pandemics. One central source of our global problems is that we have put nations above people. I think we should put people first. National sovereignty and security should not be more important that the sovereignty and security of individuals. Governments should be protecting the rights and freedoms of their people, not sacrificing them.
War is one way in which nations sacrifice their people rather than protect them. War kills and injures people. War destroys the environment. War robs us of our financial and natural resources War does not bring peace, although it does make a lot of money for some.
Think creatively to eliminate war
Surely it is time to think creatively about eliminating war. Here in the United States, we can look to our own history for a way to accomplish that. When Americans decided to transform the confederation of 13 colonies into a federation of states, they agreed to resolve their differences in a court of law rather than on the battlefield. The original 13 states were able to eliminate or transform their militias. With no need any longer to fight one another, they could rely on the rule of law to settle disputes. Although the rule of law is not perfect, it is the best method we have found. And it is preferable to war.
We need a similar transformation at the global level. Why not transform the confederation of nations known as the United Nations into a United Federation of Nations? Under this strengthened UN system, all nations could agree to resolve their differences using the rule of law rather than weapons of destruction. Nations could be required to disarm and to transform their armed forces into peacekeeping forces that would respond to natural disasters and other domestic crises.
Unite the World
To implement this program, we could start by creating a World Parliament at the United Nations to give a voice to the people of the world, rather than just their governments. We also need a world constitution to define a democratic federation of nations with a universal declaration of human rights and the ability to create and enforce world law that outlaws war and nuclear weapons. Furthermore, we will need international courts (such as the International Criminal Court) and international police to arrest those who break the law. Fortunately, much work has been done defining these components over the past 75 years.
All these components will cost much less than the vast amounts spent on the current war systems. Furthermore, a United Federation of Nations could be employed to deal effectively with other global problems, such as climate change.
This vision is shared by the Young World Federalists. Their tag line is “Unite the World.” As their website explains, they are “a global movement to unite humanity through the creation of a democratic world federation.” They believe that the current system of competitive sovereign countries fails to tackle the global challenges that impact us all. Accordingly, they advocate a new form of global governance, one in which people cooperate to secure their common interest through a democratic world federation. They envision a sustainable, just, and peaceful world through a democratic world federation. It would be a world run by humanity, for humanity, providing equal opportunity to all on a thriving planet.
Work across the generations
The Young World Federalists (YWF) are building on the work of well-established organizations such as Citizens for Global Solutions (CGS). CGS was founded 75 years ago, and many of its supporters, like me, are grandparents of the Young World Federalists’ generation. We are delighted to be working with these young people and, in fact, have a lot to learn from them in this modern era of social media and technology. We also have a lot to share with them, including our knowledge, experience, and funding. One of their programs that we are co-sponsoring is the Week for World Parliament, which includes an event in New York City on October 22-23.
Working together, young and old, we are committed to building a united world and a better future for all.
by Ronald Glossop | Feb 5, 2018 | Global Cooperation, World Federation
Dear Professor Joe,
You have received so many much-deserved honors, including being named “Distinguished International Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota,” how can Citizens for Global Solutions add to that? For decades you have taught important courses and have been recognized for that. For many years you have also done significant work in seeking solutions to the Kashmir conflict. You have authored many professional articles and books, including being the editor and principal author of the Historical Atlas of South Asia, which in 1980 won the Watumull Prize of the American Historical Association. In 1984 you were presented the annual award of the American Association of Geographers. What a life!
With regard to our particular interests in a democratic world federation as the way to a better world, you have not only “talked the talk but also walked the walk.” You have served on the board of directors of the World Federalist Association, have chaired its Policy and Issues Commission, and have been President of the Minnesota Chapter of Citizens for Global Solutions. You have authored several significant monographs about specific ways to make the United Nations more effective, culminating in the monumental Transforming the United Nations System: Designs for a Workable World, published in 2013 by the United Nations University Press. On page 297 of that work that focuses on “a world that is workable, not a future utopia” you also say, “In broad terms, my strong preference is for a constitutional system of democratic, federal world government . . . .” In order to move things forward in our present situation, you have established the Workable World Trust, which is providing for translations of your book into other languages, as well as holding an important international conference in 2015. Presentations at that conference are viewable at the WWT website <https://www.workableworld.org/> accompanied by a helpful Discussion Guide for the book. The Workable World Trust that you established also sponsors other projects to advance humanity toward a more workable world.
Given that you have already been rightly honored with many plaques and trophies, what can we do to show the special place you have in our hearts? We members of Citizens for Global Solutions want to do something to show our gratitude and respect for all that you done during your whole life to advance the idea of world federation as the way to develop global justice and peace through world law. Thus, we want to present to you our “Lifetime Achievement Award”. The plaque on the award reads:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Joseph E. Schwartzberg
for his promotion of world federation and Citizens for Global Solutions
February 3, 2018
No one is more deserving of being so honored. Thank you, Joe!
On behalf of all the members of Citizens for Global Solutions
by Father Ben Urmston | Jan 31, 2018 | Global Cooperation, World Federation
Citizens for Global Solutions aims to move our world toward a just, democratic, and war-free global community. To make the necessary modifications in the existing external structures to reach that goal, it is necessary to pay attention also to internal values like openness and cooperation.
Attending to the manifesto of Father Francis J. Finn, SJ (1859-1928), could help promote the values that would lead us all in the right direction. During his life he was principal of a grade school, an assistant pastor, and author of 27 novels for young people. Those children’s stories have heroes who display strong spiritual values, leadership, and breadth of interests.
His manifesto posted on the wall of his office at a grade school in Cincinnati reads as follows:
AMERICA FIRST
Not merely in matters material, but in things of the spirit.
Not merely in science, inventions, motors, and skyscrapers, but also in ideals, principles, character.
Not merely in the calm assertion of rights, but in the glad assumption of duties.
Not flaunting her strength as a giant, but bending in helpfulness over a sick and wounded world like a Good Samaritan.
Not in splendid isolation, but in courageous cooperation.
Not in pride, arrogance, and disdain of other races and peoples, but in sympathy, love, and understanding.
And so, in that spirit and with these hopes, I say with all my heart and soul, “AMERICA FIRST.”
Those who endorse the principles and values of Citizens for Global Solutions could learn from Fr. Finn’s manifesto and even enlarge it with something like:
AMERCA FIRST
Not just in Gross National Product, but in degree of happiness for all.
Not just in armaments for war, but in civil discourse and careful listening.
Not just in violence in the media, but in education in peace and justice studies.
Not just in strengthening the United Nations, but in helping to transform it into a United Federation of Nations.
Not just in advancing international law and treaties, but in working to develop a World Parliamentary Assembly.
by CGS Blog Archive | Jan 19, 2018 | Human Rights, World Federation
In late October we lost our dear Ruth when she expired after a short illness.
Ruth’s parents emigrated from Russia and settled in Brooklyn, where Ruth was born and grew up. Like nearly everyone of her generation she was effected by the Great Depression and World War II. She supported the United World Federalists from its inception.
Ruth made her way through life as a pianist and music educator, gaining a PhD in musicology and retiring as a full professor of music at the City University of New York.
She was dedicated to public education and believed in community and strong public institutions including the community of the world, the UN, and world federation.
Married and mother to a son and daughter, Ruth enjoyed three grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She was dedicated to family, to her synagogue, to music education, and to CGS.
In her long years of retirement she voluntarily taught music to elementary school classes and played piano two hours per day right up until her final month when she fell seriously ill.
Ruth’s true essence shown through during her final visit to the emergency room. She was distressed, confused and speech-impared, likely the result of stroke. Nevertheless, she evoked her hero, Eleanor Roosevelt, as she implored her doctors to tell everyone she wished for a better world and for people to come together for the common good.
We will miss Ruth Zinar, a stalwart world federalist who participated creatively and with considerable energy and insight in CGS conference calls as late as the month before her death.
by CGS Blog Archive | Jan 8, 2018 | Global Cooperation, World Federation
The new film, The World Is My Country, will be available, free, on-line, in a special password-protected site for Citizens for Global Solutions – but just for one week, Friday, January 26 through Thursday, February 1. You’ll be able to share the CGS password with others, so they can see the inspiring story of Garry Davis, “World Citizen #1”. I strongly encourage you to at minimum view the film and to share this communication about it.
“The World Is My Country” is the story of a young song and dance man who enters World War II as a bomber pilot. His experiences caused him to rethink the notion of war as a means to solve problems. Garry Davis is that man, and he tells his story in person at age 90. The film features rare footage of events like the opening sessions of the United Nations in Paris in 1948, and the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. More than half of the film is devoted to addressing the idea of solutions which are open and usable by ordinary citizens.
In the fall of 2012, I showed a very early draft of the film to a dozen high school students in St. Paul – I wanted to see how they’d react to a story told by a 90 year old man, about his adventures which began more than 50 years before they were born. It was there that I observed that this story would attract and keep the interest of young people. “The World Is My Country” is a permanent demonstration to today’s and future generations that citizens can and do make a difference. Young people need to look to the future. They need to see this film and then discuss with others about what it means to them and their future.
All ages, I have learned while watching subsequent audiences view the film, find the film both interesting and inspiring.
Citizens for Global Solutions (CGS): Minnesota Chapter, an organization in which I’ve long been active, has been involved since the beginning and sponsored the very successful World Premiere of “The World Is My Country” at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival in April, 2017. The filmmakers were very pleased with the success of this CGS sponsorship – as you can see here. That’s why they are offering this free week – to invite others to help sponsor the film at other film festivals, or even hold their own mini-film festival showing three or more uplifting films about global solutions. The free-week movie will state that it is a Film Festival Screener and can’t be copied or reproduced.
To pre-register for the free week click here and spread the word. They will send the password via e-mail to all who register. This special film will be accessible to anyone with the password and access to the internet from January 26 to February 1.
