Mankind's desire for peace can be realized only by the creation of a world government.
With all my heart, I believe that the world's present system of sovereign nations can only lead to barbarism, war and inhumanity, and that only world law can assure progress towards a civilized peaceful community.”~Albert Einstein
WORLD FEDERATION
The World Federation will be a democratically constructed federation of the world's nation-states and peoples. Structurally, it would resemble other federations, including nation-states such as the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, India, and Malaysia, with some notable differences. The World United Federation will have a legislative assembly made up of citizens of the world and an upper chamber, which would have representatives of the nation-states of the world. An executive body will administer the government, and a judicial branch will adjudicate matters.
A Federation has a division of powers between the central government and the component states or provinces (or other regions). Using the United States as an example, the federal government has jurisdiction over areas that affect all US citizens (e.g., interstate and international commerce and the military). In contrast, the states have jurisdiction over matters within their own state (most areas of health, education, and welfare). This division of power is enshrined in the Constitution.
Particular care will be taken to ensure that the World Federation's control can never fall into the hands of a single person or be vulnerable to authoritarian control. This would be achieved through multiple checks and balances and, crucially, a shared power structure at the executive branch level.
A World Constitution
The World Federation representative’s first order of business would be to create a world constitution based on guidelines already described and including, but not limited to, the following:
- The rule of law
- Principles of democracy
- Powers strictly limited to major issues of global importance
- International peace and security
Ultimately, it will be up to the members of the World Federation to draft the World Constitution.
Nation-States Sovereignty
The World Federation would establish global laws for global issues (such as war, climate change, and dangerous technologies). It would be up to the legislative assembly to determine which issues, as well as the particulars and details of the World Federation's functions. However, the World Federation's powers would be strictly limited to matters of a global nature. In much the same way that democratically elected governments currently have defined divisions of powers between federal and state/provincial levels, codified in their constitutions, the World Federation would be limited to enact legislation that is both necessary and has a global impact on all citizens of the planet. Nation-states will retain sovereignty over all other issues within their borders. Any change to the established division of powers would require a majority of votes by the legislature and ratification by the nation-state member.
Executive Branch
The World Federation President would require far fewer powers than the leaders of most nation-states. Decisions at the World Federation level would be deliberative and shared by a council of members elected by and from the legislature. Each Councillor would represent a geographical region of the planet.
Judicial Branch
As an International Criminal Court and an International Court of Justice already exist, it may be possible to cooperate with these bodies and/or use their experiences as lessons and models for the judicial branch. Under a functioning democratic World Federation, the scope of these courts would be expanded, and regional world courts would likely be necessary. Ensuring compliance with global law and settling disputes between nations would be the primary function of the judicial branch.
Global Law Enforcement Agency (GLEA)
GLEA would exist to enforce international laws as required and maintain the peace. In that sense, it would act more like an international peacekeeping force - deployed without delay to quell any disputes between nations. The Agency would also investigate reports of criminal activity as, and only as, it relates to global law. An example might be the investigation of a country that appears to be working toward building a nuclear weapon.
GLEA bases would be established in strategic locations around the world. In many cases, former military bases would likely be downsized and converted into GLEA bases. Local GLEA bases would be staffed with multi-national law enforcement agents, mainly consisting of people from other nations, to reduce the possibility of any rising nationalist sentiments on the part of the rank and file or leadership. A force from Uganda, Canada, and Singapore with a leader from the Netherlands all stationed in Ireland is much less likely to be biased by nationalistic sentiments.
Initially, GLEA would use military equipment and infrastructure that may be needed to enforce global law. As more nations join, and the threat of war decreases, the GLEA will reduce its arsenal. Ultimately, once all nations join, GLEA can retire all unnecessary military equipment and act as a law enforcement agency to enforce supranational laws as enacted by the democratic World Federation.
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