Four pathways to world federation

... and there is a fifth

It is not only since yesterday that the global scene of world citizens and world federalists has been characterised by differing ideas about the right path that should lead to the political unification of mankind in a federal world union. There are four recognisable paths that must wind their way through the difficult terrain of an uncertain future in order to get closer to the goal. Unforeseeable lateral connections and shortcuts may also emerge along the way. Illustration by Etienne Bowie:

In a Young World Federalists group on Reddit, the question was asked which of the paths users would favour. The answers show some deficits in the assessment of the real world situation. In this article, I want to write my personal view of the four paths and point out a fifth path that is not shown in the illustration. However, it could unite the winding paths into a broad, easy road.

A - Transforming the United Nations

On the face of it, path A seems to be the most realistic option. It takes seriously and recognises what already exists. Building on this, attempts are made to improve the system. It is not too much about short-term transformation, but more about gradual further development. The ‘Coalition for a UN we need’ takes a similar view. Many steps for the further development of the United Nations are integrated here, such as the ‘We The Peoples’ initiative with its three goals: World Citizens Initiative, Parliamentary Assembly at the UN and the appointment of a UN Representative for Civil Society. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly clear that we are treading water. The United Nations is currently unwilling to reform itself. See my article ‘What does consultative status at the United Nations mean?’.

B - Integration of the regions

The creation of regional communities of states is another path that can lead to a genuine global community. The European Union (EU) is setting a good example. Despite all the difficulties and setbacks, it is a success story. But Europe is not enough. It is followed by the African Union (AU) and other regional organisations. This could become the federal World Union (WU). This path would be one hundred per cent compatible with Path A and a parallel reinforcement. But this is still very vague. While signs of disintegration are already spreading in the EU, progress in the AU is a long time coming. Destructive powers still have their dirty fingers in the pie there.

C - Unification of democracies

Then there is the idea of creating a global community of states by uniting the world's democracies. Six years ago, the Australian world federalist Chris Hamer published an article on the possibility of a world community of democratic states based on NATO and the OECD. This approach, like Path B, would be compatible with Path A. A further proposal from the UK to turn the G7 countries into a D10 (PDF) is taking shape. However, these efforts currently appear to be in standby mode due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

D - Creation of a world constitution

There are now over a hundred more or less well-known drafts of world constitutions. It can be assumed that such a constitution will be needed for a future federal world union. It already exists on Path A. It is the Charter of the United Nations. It would only need to be reviewed and adapted from time to time. Other organisations, whether regional or global, would draw up their own constitution and adopt it democratically. Existing draft constitutions can be helpful for this, but they are nothing more than non-binding models and do not represent a particular path towards world federation.

The World Parliament and Constitution Association WCPA takes a different view. It has elevated its ‘Earth Constitution’ to a binding guideline that the world must follow. This is an attempt to put the cart before the horse. I think this is an irrational approach. Moreover, the insignificant club of its leading protagonists has already lost its way in the jungle of esoteric fantasies and conspiracy theories. Therefore, this path is not only useless, but may also have a disruptive effect on the progress of paths A, B and C.

To summarise

it must be admitted that unfortunately far too few people are still interested in the unity of mankind, let alone would work for a world federation. This is why the world federalist scene is so weak today. The necessary awareness cannot be prayed for or meditated upon. Education and co-operation are needed here, and we need a new world citizens' movement for this.

Today, there is a global citizens' movement that goes far beyond the imagination of Garry Davis. This includes the global movement against climate change, the environmental movement, the world peace movement, the movement to abolish weapons of mass destruction, the human rights movement, the movement for gender equality, against racism and the discrimination of minorities, the movement for humanity and social justice, the movement for interfaith tolerance and understanding and many other movements. Our task should be to convince these people that they will never achieve their great goals without the political unification of mankind. We must motivate them to work for a federal world union of truly united nations in parallel with their activities.

E - And here we are at the fifth way

The world needs a second world organisation that is not based on the incompatible sovereignties of nation states, but on the sovereignty of individual people and their inalienable human rights. We need the United Mankind Organisation. Not as a competitor to the United Nations, but as a complement, as a second pillar for a future federal world union. The other four paths could be integrated into it. The United Nations would have a strong incentive to reform, because now ‘We the peoples’ would no longer be an empty phrase at the beginning of its charter. The United Mankind Organisation could become a midwife and regional alliance and an engine for the progress of democracies around the world. Ultimately, the fans of draft world constitutions would also have their say, because the new world organisation would of course need a charter that regulates its competences in conjunction with international law.

And in order to start creating such a world organisation, we need a United Mankind Initiative.