March, 2019
Vivian Davidson
Duncan Graham
As humans in nations we are comprised of a diversity of ethnicities, cultures and other forms of individualism, yet as a human species we are all one family, the brotherhood and sisterhood of humankind. This identity is not adequately or sufficiently considered within the present nation-state system.
Throughout history we have been represented as national individuals with national identities. Now is the time to be represented at the global level by an institution that acknowledges and protects us as global citizens, all part of the same human family. As Saul Mendlovitz once proclaimed, “Human sovereignty must supersede national sovereignty” when it comes to dealing with global issues like climate change, technological threats and nuclear warfare.
Fulfilling the 1948 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a forgotten aim of the dysfunctional United Nations with the UN Security Council having the same Five Permanent Members (China, France, Russia, UK and USA), with their veto privilege, as at its founding in 1945. “To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” as stated in the UN Charter has been a disaster when the logic of the UN is the nation-state Neanderthal posture of tribal power-mongering. The UN was not a re-make of the League of Nations and a post-UN structure is required as the termites of decay enfeeble the present UN. As Yunker states in his book, Rethinking world government: a new approach, '”Political evolution at the international level seems to be at a standstill; the UN represented little more than good intentions when it was established in 1945 and so it remains today.”
Essentially, a World Parliament is not just a laudable vision; in today's world where we are a 'Global Village', it is a necessity. As Emery Eves stated in The Anatomy of Peace in 1945, “There is no first step to world government; world government is the first step.”
Globalization and the integration that the planet is facing is unprecedented; everything from technology to climate changes are global in scope and effect, except the political structures we currently have at the international arena that continue to operate solely with a nation-state mentality. Nation-states are essentially designed to procure for their national interests and the good of their citizens above all else. A World Parliament is a step beyond that where issues affecting the human family as a whole and the well-being of the planet would be addressed.
A World Parliament to direct us as a global civilization is now necessary. It would be one where each person would be considered the global citizen that she/he already is and would be given equal voice in the democratic election and oversight of the World Parliament. This of course, regardless of what nation they were born or reside in. The UDHR would no longer be a dream- it would be a reality.
Clearly, World Government is not a new idea; yet the reason why it hasn’t been implemented and has become a much silenced idea is because national governments and the many institutions upon which they rely on see any type of Global Government as a threat to their own agendas. Yet, the time for a World Parliament has never been more demanding and the circumstances never more ripe for this type of globally-conscious system.
The system needs to change. But, if we don’t change our mindsets and those of our politicians and leaders nothing will change. Let us determine to bring ourselves together, settle our differences, and shape and realize our common dream for the future. In that pursuit, let us create a global democracy and parliament under the grand idea of one planet, one person, one vote.
Essentially, “There is no solution for civilization or even the human race, other than the creation of world government,” as Einstein proclaimed. The progression for the next quantum leap in human sovereignty is waiting for all of us to take action. We hope you can heed the lessons of history and help us be part of the change we so desperately need.