Starting the World Federation small
Every beginning is difficult – the smaller the scale, the easier it is
On the internet forum Reddit, a moderator of the “Global Tribe” posed what he described as a serious question: is there any way to convince the US to join a World Federation? Or will a World Federation always be one member short of being truly global? As no world federation currently exists, it can be assumed that this is meant to be a hypothetical scenario.
To answer this question seriously, one would first have to explain what this World Federation would look like. How would it be organised? Who would hold what power and to what extent? What obligations would be imposed on member nations? Which sovereign rights would they retain? And there are many more questions besides. That is why I currently see no way of persuading the US to take such a step. I also consider this out of the question under the current US administration.
According to a comment on Reddit, “Citizens for Global Solutions” still have the opportunity to lobby the US Congress on behalf of a World Federation. In the People’s Republic of China, such a thing would be impossible. In the current global situation, the major powers and emerging middle powers are fundamentally opposed to ideas of a World Federation. Scepticism prevails among the governments of the nations dependent on them. Nationalism and authoritarian regimes are on the rise worldwide.
How can one still hope that a World Federation might be established in the foreseeable future? Yet the political unification of humanity is an essential prerequisite for survival in a better future. “One world or none” – this slogan recurs throughout speeches and writings that deal with our future. There is no way around it, unless it is the direct path to ruin. Whether we like it or not, we are facing the “Great Filter”. More on this in my article “Can mankind survive?”.
It will start quietly and unspectacularly
It is highly unlikely that a majority of the world’s leading nations would one day decide to establish a World Federation in one fell swoop. When discussing the political goal of uniting humanity within a World Federation, the question that usually arises is how such a federation should or could come into being. The ideal scenario would, of course, be for the United Nations to evolve into a democratic World Federation under its own steam. Unfortunately, I see no sign of this happening. Another possibility would be for the World Federation to emerge from a regional alliance of states. The global expansion of the European Union into a World Union would not be impossible.
It may sound naive, but it is strikingly simple: if something is to begin, at least one person has to get started. This is called initiative. A country would need to be found that takes the first step and invites other countries to help build a World Federation. This will certainly not be a large nation-state trapped within its own system or a rigid ideology. Smaller states are likely to be more willing to do so. It would also be an opportunity for them to free themselves peacefully from existing hegemonic powers.
There are many small states around the globe. If several of them, spread across the world’s regions, were to join together to form a union, this would, in principle, already constitute a World Federation. In the digital age, this should not pose a technical problem. These are predominantly island nations that share one common feature: they are already feeling the effects of climate change to a particularly acute degree. Nor would this need to be limited to independent small states. Indigenous nations should be welcomed as associate members.
Given the opportunity this presents to make the creation of a world federation possible and to set the process in motion, it would be the task of active world federalists to examine this matter more closely. A campaign to establish active groups of world citizens in the relevant nations could also be of great benefit in this regard.
Based on this article, I would like to introduce smaller, relevant countries in separate articles. I will be guided by current developments and chance discoveries. I would also welcome any tips and suggestions >>> mondialisten@gmail.com
Ep.1: Bougainville
Ep.2: Taiwan, the better China
Ep.3: Neutral Moresnet - Amikejo
