A CONSTITUTION FOR THE FEDERATION
OF EARTH
(As amended at the Fourth World
Constituent Assembly, Troi, Portugal, 1991)
PREAMBLE
Realizing that Humanity today has come to a turning point
in history and that we are on the threshold of an new world order
which promises to usher in an era of peace, prosperity, justice and
harmony;
Aware of the interdependence of people, nations and all
life;
Aware that man's abuse of science and technology has brought
Humanity to the brink of disaster through the production of
horrendous weaponry of mass destruction and to the brink of
ecological and social catastrophe;
Aware that the traditional concept of security through
military defense is a total illusion both for the present and for
the future;
Aware of the misery and conflicts caused by ever
increasing disparity between rich and poor;
Conscious of our obligation to posterity to save Humanity
from imminent and total annihilation;
Conscious that Humanity is One despite the existence of
diverse nations, races, creeds, ideologies and cultures and that the
principle of unity in diversity is the basis for a new age when war
shall be outlawed and peace prevail; when the earth's total
resources shall be equitably used for human welfare; and when basic
human rights and responsibilities shall be shared by all without
discrimination;
Conscious of the inescapable reality that the greatest
hope for the survival of life on earth is the establishment of a
democratic world government;
We, citizens of the world, hereby resolve to establish a
world federation to be governed in accordance with this constitution
for the Federation of Earth.
A CONSTITUTION
FOR THE FEDERATION OF EARTH
The broad functions of the
Federation of Earth shall be:
1.
To prevent war, secure disarmament, and resolve territorial and
other disputes which endanger peace and human rights.
2.
To protect universal human rights, including life, liberty,
security, democracy, and equal opportunities in life.
3.
To obtain for all people on earth the conditions required for
equitable economic and social development and for diminishing social
differences.
4.
To regulate world trade, communications, transportation, currency,
standards, use of world resources, and other global and
international processes.
5.
To protect the environment and the ecological fabric of life from
all sources of damage, and to control technological innovations
whose effects transcend national boundaries, for the purpose of
keeping Earth a safe, healthy and happy home for humanity .
6.
To devise and implement solutions to all problems which are beyond
the capacity of national governments, or which are now or may become
of global or international concern or consequence.
1.
The Federation of Earth shall be organized as a universal
federation, to include all nations and all people, and to encompass
all oceans, seas and lands of Earth, inclusive of non‑self governing
territories, together with the surrounding atmosphere.
2.
The World Government for the Federation of Earth shall be
non‑military and shall be democratic in its own structure, with
ultimate sovereignty residing in all the people who live on Earth.
3.
The authority and powers granted to the World Government shall be
limited to those defined in this Constitution for the Federation of
Earth, applicable to problems and affairs which transcend national
boundaries, leaving to national governments jurisdiction over the
internal affairs of the respective nations but consistent with the
authority of the World Government to protect universal human rights
as defined in this World Constitution.
4.
The basic direct electoral and administrative units of the World
Government shall be World Electoral and Administrative Districts. A
total of not more than 1000 World Electoral and Administrative
Districts shall be defined, and shall be nearly equal in population,
within the limits of plus or minus ten percent.
5.
Contiguous World Electoral and Administrative Districts shall be
combined as may be appropriate to compose a total of twenty World
Electoral and Administrative Regions for the following purposes, but
not limited thereto: for the election or appointment of certain
world government officials; for administrative purposes; for
composing various organs of the world government as enumerated in
Article IV; for the functioning of the Judiciary, the Enforcement
System, and the Ombudsmus, as well as for the functioning of any
other organ or agency of the World Government.
6.
The World Electoral and Administrative Regions may be composed of a
variable number of World Electoral and Administrative Districts,
taking into consideration geographic, cultural, ecological and other
factors as well as population.
7.
Contiguous World Electoral and Administrative Regions shall be
grouped together in pairs to compose Magna‑Regions.
8.
The boundaries for World Electoral and Administrative Regions shall
not cross the boundaries of the World Electoral and Administrative
Districts, and shall be common insofar as feasible for the various
administrative departments and for the several organs and agencies
of the World Government. Boundaries for the World Electoral and
Administrative Districts as well as for the Regions need not conform
to existing national boundaries, but shall conform as far as
practicable.
9.
The World Electoral and Administrative Regions shall be grouped to
compose at least five Continental Divisions of the Earth, for the
election or appointment of certain world government officials, and
for certain aspects of the composition and functioning of the
several organs and agencies of the World Government as specified
hereinafter. The boundaries of Continental Divisions shall not cross
existing national boundaries as far as practicable. Continental
Divisions may be composed of a variable number of World Electoral
and Administrative Regions.
The
organs of the World Government shall be:
1.
The World Parliament.
2.
The World Executive.
3.
The World Administration.
4.
The Integrative Complex.
5.
The World Judiciary.
6.
The Enforcement System.
7.
The World Ombudsmus.
The
powers of the World government to be exercised through its several
organs and agencies shall comprise the following:
1.
Prevent wars and armed conflicts among the nations, regions,
districts, parts and peoples of Earth.
2.
Supervise disarmament and prevent re‑armament; prohibit and
eliminate the design, testing, manufacture, sale, purchase, use and
possession of weapons of mass destruction, and prohibit or regulate
all lethal weapons which the World Parliament may decide.
3.
Prohibit incitement to war, and discrimination against or defamation
of conscientious objectors.
4.
Provide the means for peaceful and just solutions of disputes and
conflicts among or between nations, peoples, and/or other components
within the Federation of Earth.
5.
Supervise boundary settlements and conduct plebiscites as needed.
6.
Define the boundaries for the districts, regions and divisions which
are established for electoral, administrative, judicial and other
purposes of the World Government.
7.
Define and regulate procedures for the nomination and election of
the members of each House of the World Parliament, and for the
nomination, election, appointment and employment of all World
Government officials and personnel.
8.
Codify world laws, including the body of international law developed
prior to adoption of the world constitution, but not inconsistent
therewith, and which is approved by the World Parliament.
9.
Establish universal standards for weights, measurements, accounting
and records.
10.
Provide assistance in the event of large scale calamities, including
drought, famine, pestilence, flood, earthquake, hurricane,
ecological disruptions and other disasters.
11.
Guarantee and enforce the civil liberties and the basic human rights
which are defined in the Bill of Rights for the Citizens of Earth
which is made a part of this World Constitution under Article 12.
12.
Define standards and promote the worldwide improvement in working
conditions, nutrition, health, housing, human settlements,
environmental conditions, education, economic security, and other
conditions defined under Article 13 of this World Constitution.
13.
Regulate and supervise international transportation, communications,
postal services, and migrations of people.
14.
Regulate and supervise supra‑national trade, industry, corporations,
businesses, cartels, professional services, labor supply, finances,
investments and insurance.
15.
Secure and supervise the elimination of tariffs and other trade
barriers among nations, but with provisions to prevent or minimize
hardship for those previously protected by tariffs.
16.
Raise the revenues and funds, by direct and/or indirect means, which
are necessary for the purposes and activities of the World
Government.
17.
Establish and operate world financial, banking, credit and insurance
institutions designed to serve human needs; establish, issue and
regulate world currency, credit and exchange.
18.
Plan for and regulate the development, use, conservation and
re‑cycling of the natural resources of Earth as the common heritage
of Humanity; protect the environment in every way for the benefit of
both present and future generations.
19.
Create and operate a World Economic Development Organization to
serve equitably the needs of all nations and people included within
the World Federation.
20.
Develop and implement solutions to transnational problems of food
supply, agricultural production, soil fertility, soil conservation,
pest control, diet, nutrition, drugs and poisons, and the disposal
of toxic wastes.
21.
Develop and implement means to control population growth in relation
to the life‑support capacities of Earth, and solve problems of
population distribution.
22.
Develop, protect, regulate and conserve the water supplies of Earth;
develop, operate and/or coordinate transnational irrigation and
other water supply and control projects; assure equitable allocation
of trans‑ national water supplies, and protect against adverse
trans‑national effects of water or moisture diversion or weather
control projects within national boundaries.
23.
Own, administer and supervise the development and conservation of
the oceans and sea‑beds of Earth and all resources thereof, and
protect from damage.
24.
Protect from damage, and control and supervise the uses of the
atmosphere of Earth.
25.
Conduct inter‑planetary and cosmic explorations and research; have
exclusive jurisdiction over the Moon and over all satellites
launched from Earth.
26.
Establish, operate and/or coordinate global air lines, ocean
transport systems, international railways and highways, global
communication systems, and means for interplanetary travel and
communications; control and administer vital waterways.
27.
Develop, operate and/or coordinate transnational power systems, or
networks of small units, integrating into the systems or networks
power derived from the sun, wind, water, tides, heat differentials,
magnetic forces, and any other source of safe, ecologically sound
and continuing energy supply.
28.
Control the mining, production, transportation and use of fossil
sources of energy to the extent necessary to reduce and prevent
damages to the environment and the ecology, as well as to prevent
conflicts and conserve supplies for sustained use by succeeding
generations.
29.
Exercise exclusive jurisdiction and control over nuclear energy
research and testing and nuclear power production, including the
right to prohibit any form of testing or production considered
hazardous.
30.
Place under world controls essential natural resources which may be
limited or unevenly distributed about the Earth. Find and implement
ways to reduce wastes and find ways to minimize disparities when
development or production is insufficient to supply everybody with
all that may be needed.
31.
Provide for the examination and assessment of technological
innovations which are or may be of supranational consequence, to
determine possible hazards or perils to humanity or the environment;
institute such controls and regulations of technology as may be
found necessary to prevent or correct widespread hazards or perils
to human health and welfare.
32.
Carry out intensive programs to develop safe alternatives to any
technology or technological processes which may be hazardous to the
environment, the ecological system, or human health and welfare.
33.
Resolve supra‑national problems caused by gross disparities in
technological development or capability, capital formation,
availability of natural resources, educational opportunity, economic
opportunity, and wage and price differentials. Assist the processes
of technology transfer under conditions which safeguard human
welfare and the environment and contribute to minimizing
disparities.
34.
Intervene under procedures to be defined by the World Parliament in
cases of either intra‑state violence and intra‑state problems which
seriously affect world peace or universal human rights.
35.
Develop a world university system. Obtain the correction of
prejudicial communicative materials which cause misunderstandings or
conflicts due to differences of race, religion, sex, national origin
or affiliation.36.
Organize, coordinate and/or administer a voluntary, non‑military
World Service Corps, to carry out a wide variety of projects
designed to serve human welfare.
37.
Designate as may be found desirable an official world language or
official world languages.
38.
Establish and operate a system of world parks, wild life preserves,
natural places, and wilderness areas.
39.
Define and establish procedures for initiative and referendum by the
Citizens of Earth on matters of supra‑national legislation not
prohibited by this World Constitution.40.
Establish such departments, bureaus, commissions, institutes,
corporations, administrations, or agencies as may by needed to carry
out any and all of the functions and powers of the World Government.
41.
Serve the needs of humanity in any and all ways which are now, or
may prove in the future to be, beyond the capacity of national and
local governments.
Sec. A ‑ Functions and Powers
of the World Parliament
The functions and powers of the
World Parliament shall comprise the following:
1.
To prepare and enact detailed legislation in all areas of authority
and jurisdiction granted to the World Government under Article IV of
this World Constitution.
2.
To amend or repeal world laws as may be found necessary or
desirable.
3.
To approve, amend or reject the international laws developed prior
to the advent of World Government, and to codify and integrate the
system of world law and world legislation under the World
Government.
4.
To establish such regulations and directions as may be needed,
consistent with this world constitution, for the proper functioning
of all organs, branches, departments, bureaus, commissions,
institutes, agencies or parts of the World Government.
5.
To review, amend and give final approval to each budget for the
World Government, as submitted by the World Executive; to devise the
specific means for directly raising funds needed to fulfill the
budget, including taxes, licenses, fees, globally accounted social
and public costs which must be added into the prices for goods and
services, loans and credit advances, and any other appropriate
means; and to appropriate and allocate funds for all operations and
functions of the World Government in accordance with approved
budgets, but subject to the right of the Parliament to revise any
appropriation not yet spent or contractually committed.
6.
To create, alter, abolish or consolidate the departments, bureaus,
commissions, institutes, agencies or other parts of the World
Government as may be needed for the best functioning of the several
organs of the World Government, subject to the specific provisions
of this World Constitution.
7.
To approve the appointments of the heads of all major departments,
commissions, offices, agencies and other parts of the several organs
of the World Government, except those chosen by electoral or civil
service procedures.
8.
To remove from office for cause any member of the World Executive,
and any elective or appointive head of any organ, department,
office, agency or other part of the World Government, subject to the
specific provisions in this World Constitution concerning specific
offices.
9.
To define and revise the boundaries of the World Electoral and
Administrative Districts, the World Electoral and Administrative
Regions and Magna Regions, and the Continental Divisions.
10.
To schedule the implementation of those provisions of the World
Constitution which require implementation by stages during the
several stages of Provisional World Government, First Operative
Stage of World Government, Second Operative Stage of World
Government, and Full Operative Stage of World Government, as defined
in Articles XVII and XIX of this World Constitution.
11.
To plan and schedule the implementation of those provisions of the
World Constitution which may require a period of years to be
accomplished.
Sec. B ‑ Composition of the World
Parliament
1.
The World Parliament shall be composed of three houses, designated
as follows:
a.
The House of Peoples, to represent the people of Earth directly and
equally;
b.
The House of Nations, to represent the nations which are joined
together in the Federation of Earth; and
c.
A House of Counselors with particular functions to represent the
highest good and best interests of humanity as a whole.
2.
All members of the World Parliament, regardless of House, shall be
designated as Members of the World Parliament.
Sec. C ‑ The House of Peoples
1.
The House of Peoples shall be composed of the peoples delegates
directly elected in proportion to population from the World
Electoral and Administrative Districts, as defined in Article 2‑4.
2.
Peoples delegates shall be elected by universal adult suffrage, open
to all persons of age 18 and above.
3.
One peoples delegate shall be elected from each World Electoral and
Administrative District to serve a five year term in the House of
Peoples. Peoples delegates may be elected to serve successive terms
without limit. Each peoples delegate shall have o ne vote.
4.
A candidate for election to serve as a peoples delegate must be at
least 21 years of age, a resident for at least one year of the
electoral district from which the candidate is seeking election, and
shall take a pledge of service to humanity.
Sec. D ‑ The House of Nations
1.
The House of Nations shall be composed of national delegates elected
or appointed by procedures to be determined by each national
government on the following basis:
a.
One national delegate from each nation of at least 100,000
population, but less than 10,000,000 population.
b.
Two national delegates from each nation of at least 10,000,000
population, but less than 100,000,000 population.
c.
Three national delegates from each nation of 100,000,000 population
or more.
2.
Nations of less than 100,000 population may join in groups with
other nations for purposes of representation in the House of
Nations.
3.
National delegates shall be elected or appointed to serve for terms
of five years, and may be elected or appointed to serve successive
terms without limit. Each national delegate shall have one vote.
4.
Any person to serve as a national delegate shall be a citizen for at
least two years of the nation to be represented, must be at least 21
years of age, and shall take a pledge of service to humanity.
Sec. E ‑ The House of Counselors
1.
The House of Counselors shall be composed of 200 counselors chosen
in equal numbers from nominations submitted from the twenty World
Electoral and Administrative Regions, as defined in Article II‑5 and
II‑6, ten from each Region.
2.
Nominations for members of the House of Counselors shall be made by
the teachers and students of universities and colleges and of
scientific academies and institutes within each world electoral and
administrative region. Nominees may be persons who are off campus in
any walk of life as well as on campus.
3.
Nominees to the House of Counselors from each World Electoral and
Administrative Region shall, by vote taken among themselves, reduce
the number of nominees to no less than two times and no more than
three times the number to be elected.
4.
Nominees to serve as members of the House of Counselors must be at
least 25 years of age, and shall take a pledge of service to
humanity. There shall be no residence requirement, and a nominee
need not be a resident of the region from which nominated or
elected.5.
The members of the House of Counselors from each region shall be
elected by the members of the other two houses of the World
Parliament from the particular region.
6.
Counselors shall be elected to serve terms of ten years. One‑half of
the members of the House of Counselors shall be elected every five
years. Counselors may serve successive terms without limit. Each
Counselor shall have one vote.
Sec. F ‑ Procedures of the World
Parliament
1.
Each house of the World Parliament during its first session after
general elections shall elect a panel of five chairpersons from
among its own members, one from each of five Continental Divisions.
The chairpersons shall rotate annually so that each will serve for
one year as chief presiding officer, while the other four serve as
vice‑chairpersons.
2.
The panels of Chairpersons from each House shall meet together, as
needed, for the purpose of coordinating the work of the Houses of
the World Parliament, both severally and jointly.
3.
Any legislative measure or action may be initiated in either House
of Peoples or House of Nations or both concurrently, and shall
become effective when passed by a simple majority vote of both the
House of Peoples and of the House of Nations, except in those cases
where an absolute majority vote or other voting majority is
specified in this World Constitution.
4.
In case of deadlock on a measure initiated in either the House of
Peoples or House of Nations, the measure shall then automatically go
to the House of Counselors for decision by simple majority vote of
the House of Counselors, except in the cases where other majority
vote is required in this World Constitution. Any measure may be
referred for decision to the House of Counselors by a concurrent
vote of the other two houses.
5.
The House of Counselors may initiate any legislative measure, which
shall then be submitted to the other two houses and must be passed
by simple majority vote of both the House of Peoples and House of
Nations to become effective, unless other voting majority is
required by some provision of this World Constitution.
6.
The House of Counselors may introduce an opinion or resolution on
any measure pending before either of the other two houses; either of
the other houses may request the opinion of the House of Counselors
before acting upon a measure.
7.
Each house of the World Parliament shall adopt its own detailed
rules of procedure, which shall by consistent with the procedures
set forth in this World Constitution, and which shall be designed to
facilitate coordinated functioning of the three houses.
8.
Approval of appointments by the World Parliament or any house
thereof shall require simple majority votes, while removals for
cause shall require absolute majority votes.
9.
After the full operative stage of World Government is declared,
general elections for members of the World Parliament to the House
of Peoples shall be held every five years. The first general
elections shall be held within the first two years following the
declaration of the full operative stage of World Government.
10.
Until the full operative stage of World Government is declared,
elections for members of the World Parliament to the House of
Peoples may be conducted whenever feasible in relation to the
campaign for ratification of this World Constitution.
11.
Regular sessions of the House of Peoples and House of Nations of the
World Parliament shall convene on the second Monday of January of
each and every Year.
12.
Each nation, according to its own procedures, shall appoint or elect
members of the World Parliament to the House of Nations at least
thirty days prior to the date for convening the World Parliament in
January.
13.
The House of Peoples together with the House of Nations shall elect
the members of the World Parliament to the House of Counselors
during the month of January after the general elections. For its
first session after general elections, the House of Counselors shall
convene on the second Monday of March, and thereafter concurrently
with the other two houses.
14.
Bi‑elections to fill vacancies shall be held within three months
from occurrence of the vacancy or vacancies.
15.
The World Parliament shall remain in session for a minimum of nine
months of each year. One or two breaks may be taken during each
year, at times and for durations to be decided by simple majority
vote of the House of Peoples and House of Nations sitting jointly.
16.
Annual salaries for members of the World Parliament of all three
houses shall be the same, except for those who serve also as members
of the Presidium and of the Executive Cabinet.
17.
Salary schedules for members of the World Parliament and for members
of the Presidium and of the Executive Cabinet shall be determined by
the World Parliament.
Sec. A Functions and Powers
of the World Executive
1.
To implement the basic system of world law as defined in the World
Constitution and in the codified system of world law after approval
by the World Parliament.
2.
To implement legislation enacted by the World Parliament.
3.
To propose and recommend legislation for enactment by the World
Parliament.
4.
To convene the World Parliament in special sessions when necessary.
5.
To supervise the World Administration and the Integrative Complex
and all of the departments, bureaus, offices, institutes and
agencies thereof.
6.
To nominate, select and remove the heads of various organs,
branches, departments, bureaus, offices, commissions, institutes,
agencies and other parts of the World Government, in accordance with
the provisions of this World Constitution and as specified in
measures enacted by the World Parliament.
7.
To prepare and submit annually to the World Parliament a
comprehensive budget for the operations of the World Government, and
to prepare and submit periodically budget projections over periods
of several years.
8.
To define and propose priorities for world legislation and budgetary
allocations.
9.
To be held accountable to the World Parliament for the expenditures
of appropriations made by the World Parliament in accordance with
approved and longer term budgets, subject to revisions approved by
the World Parliament.
Sec. B Composition of the World
Executive
The World Executive shall consist of
a Presidium of five members, and of an Executive Cabinet of from
twenty to thirty members, all of whom shall be members of the World
Parliament.
Sec. C The Presidium
1.
The Presidium shall be composed of five members, one to be
designated as President and the other four to be designated as Vice
Presidents. Each member of the Presidium shall be from a different
Continental Division.
2.
The Presidency of the Presidium shall rotate each year, with each
member in turn to serve as President, while the other four serve as
Vice Presidents. The order of rotation shall be decided by the
Presidium.
3.
The decisions of the Presidium shall be taken collectively, on the
basis of majority decisions.
4.
Each member of the Presidium shall be a member of the World
Parliament, either elected to the House of Peoples or to the House
of Counselors, or appointed or elected to the House of Nations.
5.
Nominations for the Presidium shall be made by the House of
Counselors. The number of nominees shall be from two to three times
the number to be elected. No more than one‑third of the nominees
shall be from the House of Counselors or from the House of Nations,
and nominees must be included from all Continental Divisions.
6.
From among the nominees submitted by the House of Counselors, the
Presidium shall be elected by vote of the combined membership of all
three houses of the World Parliament in joint session. A plurality
vote equal to at least 40 percent of the total membership of the
World Parliament shall be required for the election of each member
to the Presidium, with successive elimination votes taken as
necessary until the required plurality is achieved.
7.
Members of the Presidium may be removed for cause, either
individually or collectively, by an absolute majority vote of the
combined membership of the three houses of the World Parliament in
joint session.
8.
The term of office for the Presidium shall be five years and shall
run concurrently with the terms of office for the members as Members
of the World Parliament, except that at the end of each five year
period, the Presidium members in office shall continue to serve
until the new Presidium for the succeeding term is elected.
Membership in the Presidium shall be limited to two consecutive
terms.
Sec. D The Executive Cabinet
1.
The Executive Cabinet shall be composed of from twenty to thirty
members, with at least one member from each of the ten World
Electoral and Administrative Magna Regions of the world.
2.
All members of the Executive Cabinet shall be Members of the World
Parliament.
3.
There shall be no more than two members of the Executive Cabinet
from any single nation of the World Federation. There may be only
one member of the Executive Cabinet from a nation from which a
Member of the World Parliament is serving as a member of the
Presidium.
4.
Each member of the Executive Cabinet shall serve as the head of a
department or agency of the World Administration or Integrative
Complex, and in this capacity shall be designated as Minister of the
particular department or agency.
5.
Nominations for members of the Executive Cabinet shall be made by
the Presidium, taking into consideration the various functions which
Executive Cabinets members are to perform. The Presidium shall
nominate no more than two times the number to be elected.
6.
The Executive Cabinet shall be elected by simple majority vote of
the combined membership of all three houses of the World Parliament
in joint session.
7.
Members of the Executive Cabinet either individually or collectively
may be removed for cause by an absolute majority vote of the
combined membership of all three houses of the World Parliament
sitting in joint session.
8.
The term of office in the Executive Cabinet shall be five years, and
shall run concurrently with the terms of office for the members as
Members of the World Parliament, except that at the end of each five
year period, the Cabinet members in office s hall continue to serve
until the new Executive Cabinet for the succeeding term is elected.
Membership in the Executive Cabinet shall be limited to three
consecutive terms, regardless of change in ministerial position.
Sec. E Procedures of the World
Executive
1.
The Presidium shall assign the ministerial positions among the
Cabinet members to head the several administrative departments and
major agencies of the Administration and of the Integrative Complex.
Each Vice President may also serve as a Minister to head an
administrative department, but not the President. Ministerial
positions may be changed at the discretion of the Presidium. A
Cabinet member or Vice President may hold more than one ministerial
post, but no more than three, providing that no Cabinet member is
without a Ministerial post.
2.
The Presidium, in consultation with the Executive Cabinet, shall
prepare and present to the World Parliament near the beginning of
each year a proposed program of world legislation. The Presidium may
propose other legislation during the year.
3.
The Presidium, in consultation with the Executive Cabinet, and in
consultation with the World Financial Administration, (see Article
VIII, Sec. G‑1‑i) shall be responsible for preparing and submitting
to the World Parliament the proposed annual budget, and budgetary
projections over periods of years.
4.
Each Cabinet Member and Vice President as Minister of a particular
department or agency shall prepare an annual report for the
particular department or agency, to be submitted both to the
Presidium and to the World Parliament.
5.
The members of the Presidium and of the Executive Cabinet at all
times shall be responsible both individually and collectively to the
World Parliament.
6.
Vacancies occurring at any time in the World Executive shall be
filled within sixty days by nomination and election in the same
manner as specified for filling the offices originally.
Sec. F Limitations on
the World Executive
1.
The World Executive shall not at any time alter, suspend, abridge,
infringe or otherwise violate any provision of this World
Constitution or any legislation or world law enacted or approved by
the World Parliament in accordance with the provisions of this World
Constitution.
2.
The World Executive shall not have veto power over any legislation
passed by the World Parliament.
3.
The World Executive may not dissolve the World Parliament or any
House of the World Parliament.
4.
The World Executive may not act contrary to decisions of the World
Courts.
5.
The World Executive shall be bound to faithfully execute all
legislation passed by the World Parliament in accordance with the
provisions of this World Constitution, and may not impound or refuse
to spend funds appropriated by the World Parliament, nor spend more
funds than are appropriated by the World Parliament.
6.
The World Executive may not transcend or contradict the decisions or
controls of the World Parliament, the World Judiciary or the
Provisions of this World Constitution by any device of executive
order or executive privilege or emergency declaration or decree.
Sec.
A ‑ Functions of the World Administration
1.
The World Administration shall be organized to carry out the
detailed and continuous administration and implementation of world
legislation and world law.
2.
The World Administration shall be under the direction of the World
Executive, and shall at all times be responsible to the World
Executive.
3.
The World Administration shall be organized so as to give
professional continuity to the work of administration and
implementation.
Sec. B ‑ Structure and Procedures of
the World Administration
1.
The World Administration shall be composed of professionally
organized departments and other agencies in all areas of activity
requiring continuity of administration and implementation by the
World Government.
2.
Each Department or major agency of the World Administration shall be
headed by a Minister who shall be either a member of the Executive
Cabinet or a Vice President of the Presidium.
3.
Each Department or major agency of the World Administration shall
have as chief of staff a Senior Administrator, who shall assist the
Minister and supervise the detailed work of the Department or
agency.
4.
Each Senior Administrator shall be nominated by the Minister of the
particular Department or agency from among persons in the senior
lists of the World Civil Service Administration, as soon as senior
lists have been established by the World Civil Service
Administration, and shall be confirmed by the Presidium. Temporary
qualified appointments shall be made by the Ministers, with
confirmation by the Presidium, pending establishment of the senior
lists.
5.
There shall be a Secretary General of the World
Administration, who shall be nominated by the Presidium and
confirmed by absolute majority vote of the entire Executive Cabinet.
6.
The functions and responsibilities of the Secretary General of the
World Administration shall be to assist in coordinating the work of
the Senior Administrators of the several Departments and agencies of
the World Administration. The Secretary General shall at all times
be subject to the direction of the Presidium, and shall be directly
responsible to the Presidium.
7.
The employment of any Senior Administrator and of the Secretary
General may be terminated for cause by absolute majority vote of
both the Executive Cabinet and Presidium combined, but not contrary
to civil service rules which protect tenure on grounds of
competence.
8.
Each Minister of a Department or agency of the World Administration,
being also a Member of the World Parliament, shall provide
continuous liaison between the particular Department or agency and
the World Parliament, shall respond at any time to any questions or
requests for information from the Parliament, including committees
of any House of the World Parliament.
9.
The Presidium, in cooperation with the particular Ministers in each
case, shall be responsible for the original organization of each of
the Departments and major agencies of the World Administration.
10.
The assignment of legislative measures, constitutional provisions
and areas of world law to particular Departments and agencies for
administration and implementation shall be done by the Presidium in
consultation with the Executive Cabinet and Secretary General,
unless specifically provided in legislation passed by the World
Parliament.
11.
The Presidium, in consultation with the Executive Cabinet, may
propose the creation of other departments and agencies to have
ministerial status; and may propose the alteration, combination or
termination of existing Departments and agencies of ministerial
status as may seem necessary or desirable. Any such creation,
alteration, combination or termination shall require a simple
majority vote of approval of the three houses of the World
Parliament in joint session.
12.
The World Parliament by absolute majority vote of the three houses
in joint session may specify the creation of new departments or
agencies of ministerial status in the World Administration, or may
direct the World Executive to alter, combine, or terminate existing
departments or agencies of ministerial status.
13.
The Presidium and the World Executive may not create, establish or
maintain any administrative or executive department or agency for
the purpose of circumventing control by the World Parliament.
Sec. C ‑ Departments of the World
Administration
Among the Departments and agencies
of the World Administration of ministerial status, but not limited
thereto and subject to combinations and to changes in descriptive
terminology, shall be those listed under this Section. Each major
area of administration shall be headed by a Cabinet Minister and a
Senior Administrator, or by a Vice President and a Senior
Administrator.
1.
Disarmament and War Prevention.
2.
Population.
3.
Food and Agriculture.
4.
Water Supplies and Waterways.
5.
Health and Nutrition.
6.
Education.
7.
Cultural Diversity and the Arts.
8.
Habitat and Settlements.
9.
Environment and Ecology.
10.
World Resources.
11.
Oceans and Seabeds.
12.
Atmosphere and Space.
13.
Energy.
14.
Science and Technology.
15.
Genetic Research and Engineering.
16.
Labor and Income.
17.
Economic and Social Development.
18.
Commerce and Industry.
19.
Transportation and Travel.
20.
Multi‑National Corporations.
21.
Communications and Information.
22.
Human Rights.
23.
Distributive Justice.
24.
World Service Corps.
25.
World Territories, Capitals and Parks.
26.
Exterior Relations.
27.
Democratic Procedures.
28.
Revenue.
Sec. A ‑ Definition
1.
Certain administrative, research, planning and facilitative agencies
of the World Government which are particularly essential for the
satisfactory functioning of all or most aspects of the World
Government, shall be designated as the Integrative Complex. The
Integrative Complex shall include the agencies listed under this
Section, with the proviso that other such agencies may be added upon
recommendation of the Presidium followed by decision of the World
Parliament.
a.
The World Civil Service Administration.
b.
The World Boundaries and Elections Administration.
c.
The Institute on Governmental Procedures and World Problems.
d.
The Agency for Research and Planning.
e.
The Agency for Technological and Environmental Assessment.
f.
The World Financial Administration.
g.
Commission for Legislative Review.
2.
Each agency of the Integrative Complex shall be headed by a Cabinet
Minister and a Senior Administrator, or by a Vice President and a
Senior Administrator, together with a Commission as provided
hereunder. The rules of procedure for each agency shall be decided
by majority decision of the Commission members together with the
Administrator and the Minister or Vice President.
3.
The World Parliament may at any time define further the
responsibilities, functioning and organization of the several
agencies of the Integrative Complex, consistent with the provisions
of Article VIII and other provisions of the World Constitution.
4.
Each agency of the Integrative Complex shall make an annual report
to the World Parliament and to the Presidium.
Sec. B ‑ The World Civil
Service Administration
1.
The functions of the World Civil Service Administration shall be the
following, but not limited thereto:
a. To formulate and define
standards, qualifications, tests, examinations and salary scales for
the personnel of all organs, departments, bureaus, offices,
commissions and agencies of the World Government, in conformity with
the provisions of this World Constitution and requiring approval by
the Presidium and Executive Cabinet, subject to review and approval
by the World Parliament.
b. To establish rosters or
lists of competent personnel for all categories of personnel to be
appointed or employed in the service of the World Government.
c. To select and employ upon
request by any government organ, department, bureau, office,
institute, commission, agency or authorized official, such competent
personnel as may be needed and authorized, except for those
positions which are made elective or appointive under provisions of
the World Constitution or by specific legislation of the World
Parliament.
2.
The World Civil Service Administration shall be headed by a ten
member commission in addition to the Cabinet Minister or Vice
President and Senior Administrator. The Commission shall be composed
of one commissioner from each of ten World Electoral and
Administrative Magna‑Regions. The persons to serve as Commissioners
shall be nominated by the House of Counselors and then appointed by
the Presidium for five year terms. Commissioners may serve
consecutive terms.
Sec. C ‑ The World Boundaries and
Elections Administration
1.
The functions of the World Boundaries and Elections Administration
shall include the following, but not limited thereto:
a.
To define the boundaries for the basic World Electoral and
Administrative Districts, the World Electoral and Administrative
Regions and Magna‑Regions, and the Continental Divisions, for
submission to the World Parliament for approval by legislative
action.
b.
To make periodic adjustments every ten or five years, as needed, of
the boundaries for the World Electoral and Administrative Districts,
the World Electoral and Administrative Regions and Magna‑Regions,
and of the Continental Divisions, subject to approval by the World
Parliament.
c.
To define the detailed procedures for the nomination and election of
Members of the World Parliament to the House of Peoples and to the
House of Counselors, subject to approval by the World Parliament.
d.
To conduct the elections for Members of the World Parliament to the
House of Peoples and to the House of Counselors.
e.
Before each World Parliamentary Election, to prepare Voters'
Information Booklets which shall summarize major current public
issues, and shall list each candidate for elective office together
with standard information about each candidate, and give space for
each candidate to state his or her views on the defined major issues
as well as on any other major issue of choice; to include
information on any initiatives or referendums which are to be voted
upon; to distribute the Voter's Information Booklets for each World
Electoral District, or suitable group of Districts; and to obtain
the advice of the Institute on Governmental Procedures and World
Problems, the Agency for Research and Planning, and the Agency for
Technological and Environmental Assessment in preparing the
booklets.
f.
To define the rules for world political parties, subject to approval
by the World Parliament, and subject to review and recommendations
of the World Ombudsmus.
g.
To define the detailed procedures for legislative initiative and
referendum by the Citizens of Earth, and to conduct voting on supra‑
national or global initiatives and referendums in conjunction with
world parliamentary elections.
h.
To conduct plebiscites when requested by other Organs of the World
Government, and to make recommendations for the settlement of
boundary disputes.
i.
To conduct a global census every five years, and to prepare and
maintain complete demographic analyses for Earth.
2.
The World Boundaries and Elections Administration shall be headed by
a ten member commission in addition to the Senior Administrator and
the Cabinet Minister or Vice President. The commission shall be
composed of one commissioner each from ten World Electoral and
Administrative Magna‑ Regions. The persons to serve as commissioners
shall be nominated by the House of Counselors and then appointed by
the World Presidium for five year terms. Commissioners may serve
consecutive terms.
Sec. D ‑ Institute on Governmental Procedures and World Problems
1.
The functions of the Institute on Governmental Procedures and World
Problems shall be as follows, but not limited thereto:
a.
To prepare and conduct courses of information, education and
training for all personnel in the service of the World Government,
including Members of the World Parliament and of all other elective,
appointive and civil service personnel, so that every person in the
service of the World Government may have a better understanding of
the functions, structure, procedures and inter‑relationships of the
various organs, departments, bureaus, offices, institutes,
commissions, agencies and other parts of the World Government.
b.
To prepare and conduct courses and seminars for information,
education, discussion, updating and new ideas in all areas of world
problems, particularly for Members of the World Parliament and of
the World Executive, and for the chief personnel of all organs,
departments and agencies of the World Government, but open to all in
the service of the World Government.
c.
To bring in qualified persons from private and public universities,
colleges and research and action organizations of many countries, as
well as other qualified persons, to lecture and to be resource
persons for the courses and seminars organized by the Institute on
Governmental Procedures and World Problems.
d.
To contract with private or public universities and colleges or
other agencies to conduct courses and seminars for the Institute.
2.
The Institute on Governmental Procedures and World Problems shall be
supervised by a ten member commission in addition to the Senior
Administrator and Cabinet Minister or Vice President. The commission
shall be composed of one commissioner each to be named by the House
of Peoples, the House of Nations, the House of Counselors, the
Presidium, the Collegium of World Judges, The World Ombudsmus, The
World Attorneys General Office, the Agency for Research and
Planning, the Agency for Technological and Environmental Assessment,
and the World Financial Administration. Commissioners shall serve
five year terms, and may serve consecutive terms.
Sec. E ‑ The Agency for
Research and Planning
1.
The functions of the Agency for Research and Planning shall be as
follows, but not limited thereto:
a.
To serve the World Parliament, the World Executive, the World
Administration, and other organs, departments and agencies of the
World Government in any matter requiring research and planning
within the competence of the agency.
b.
To prepare and maintain a comprehensive inventory of world
resources.
c.
To prepare comprehensive long‑range plans for the development,
conservation, re‑cycling and equitable sharing of the resources of
Earth for the benefit of all people on Earth, subject to legislative
action by the World Parliament.
d.
To prepare and maintain a comprehensive list and description of all
world problems, including their inter‑relationships, impact time
projections and proposed solutions, together with bibliographies.
e.
To do research and help prepare legislative measures at the request
of any Member of the World Parliament or of any committee of any
House of the World Parliament.
f.
To do research and help prepare proposed legislation or proposed
legislative programs and schedules at the request of the Presidium
or Executive Cabinet or of any Cabinet Minister.
g.
To do research and prepare reports at the request of any other
organ, department or agency of the World Government.
h.
To enlist the help of public and private universities, colleges,
research agencies, and other associations and organizations for
various research and planning projects.
i.
To contract with public and private universities, colleges, research
agencies and other organizations for the preparation of specific
reports, studies and proposals.
j.
To maintain a comprehensive World Library for the use of all Members
of the World Parliament, and for the use of all other officials and
persons in the service of the World Government, as well as for
public information.
2.
The Agency for Research and Planning shall be supervised by a ten
member commission in addition to the Senior Administrator and
Cabinet Minister or Vice President. The commission shall be composed
of one commissioner each to be named by the House of Peoples, the
House of Nations, the House of Counselors, the Presidium, the
Collegium of World Judges, the Office of World Attorneys General,
World Ombudsmus, the Agency for Technological and Environmental
Assessment, the Institute on Governmental Procedures and World
Problems, and the World Financial Administration. Commissioners
shall serve five year terms, and may serve consecutive terms.
Sec. F ‑ The Agency for
Technological and Environmental Assessment
1.
The functions of the agency for Technological and Environmental
Assessment shall include the following, but not limited thereto:
a.
To establish and maintain a registration and description of all
significant technological innovations, together with impact
projections.
b.
To examine, analyze and assess the impacts and consequences of
technological innovations which may have either significant
beneficial or significant harmful or dangerous consequences for
human life or for the ecology of life on Earth, or which may require
particular regulations or prohibitions to prevent or eliminate
dangers or to assure benefits.
c.
To examine, analyze and assess environmental and ecological
problems, in particular the environmental and ecological problems
which may result from any intrusions or changes of the environment
or ecological relationships which may be caused by technological
innovations, processes of resource development, patterns of human
settlements, the production of energy, patterns of economic and
industrial development, or other man‑made intrusions and changes of
the environment, or which may result from natural causes.
d.
To maintain a global monitoring network to measure possible harmful
effects of technological innovations and environmental disturbances
so that corrective measures can be designed.
e.
To prepare recommendations based on technological and environmental
analyses and assessments, which can serve as guides to the World
Parliament, the World Executive, the World Administration, the
Agency for Research and Planning, and to the other organs,
departments and agencies of the World Government, as well as to
individuals in the service of the World Government and to national
and local governments and legislative bodies.
f.
To enlist the voluntary or contractual aid and participation of
private and public universities, colleges, research institutions and
other associations and organizations in the work of technological
and environmental assessment.
g.
To enlist the voluntary or contractual aid and participation of
private and public universities and colleges, research institutions
and other organizations in devising and developing alternatives to
harmful or dangerous technologies and environmentally disruptive
activities, and in devising controls to assure beneficial results
from technological innovations or to prevent harmful results from
either technological innovations or environmental changes, all
subject to legislation for implementation by the World Parliament.
2.
The Agency for Technological and Environmental Assessment shall be
supervised by a ten member commission in addition to the Senior
Administrator and Cabinet Minister or Vice President. The commission
shall be composed of one commissioner from each of ten World
Electoral and Administrative Magna‑Regions. The persons to serve as
commissioners shall be nominated by the House of Counselors, and
then appointed by the World Presidium for five year terms.
Commissioners may serve consecutive terms.
Sec. G ‑ The World Financial
Administration
1.
The functions of the World Financial Administration shall include
the following, but not limited thereto:
a.
To establish and operate the procedures for the collection of
revenues for the World Government, pursuant to legislation by the
World Parliament, inclusive of taxes, globally accounted social and
public costs, licenses, fees, revenue sharing arrangements, income
derived from supra‑national public enterprises or projects or
resource developments, and all other sources.
b.
To operate a Planetary Accounting Office, and thereunder to make
cost/benefit studies and reports of the functioning and activities
of the World Government and of its several organs, departments,
branches, bureaus, offices, commissions, institutes, agencies and
other parts or projects. In making such studies and reports, account
shall be taken not only of direct financial costs and benefits, but
also of human, social, environmental, indirect, long‑term and other
costs and benefits, and of actual or possible hazards and damages.
Such studies and reports shall also be designed to uncover any
wastes, inefficiencies, misapplications, corruptions, diversions,
unnecessary costs, and other possible irregularities.
c.
To make cost/benefit studies and reports at the request of any House
or committee of the World Parliament, and of the Presidium, the
Executive Cabinet, the World Ombudsmus, the Office of World
Attorneys General, the World Supreme Court, or of any administrative
department or any agency of the Integrative Complex, as well as upon
its own initiative.
d.
To operate a Planetary Comptrollers Office and thereunder to
supervise the disbursement of the funds of the World Government for
all purposes, projects and activities duly authorized by this World
Constitution, the World Parliament, the World Executive, and other
organs, departments and agencies of the World Government.
e.
To establish and operate a Planetary Banking System, making the
transition to a common global currency, under the terms of specific
legislation passed by the World Parliament.
f.
Pursuant to specific legislation enacted by the World Parliament,
and in conjunction with the Planetary Banking System, to establish
and implement the procedures of a Planetary Monetary and Credit
System based upon useful productive capacity and performance, both
in goods and services. Such a monetary and credit system shall be
designed for use within the Planetary Banking System for the
financing of the activities and projects of the World Government,
and for all other financial purposes approved by the World
Parliament, without requiring the payment of interest on bonds,
investments or other claims of financial ownership or debt.
g.
To establish criteria for the extension of financial credit based
upon such considerations as people available to work, usefulness,
cost/benefit accounting, human and social values, environmental
health and esthetics, minimizing disparities, integrity , competent
management, appropriate technology, potential production and
performance.
h.
To establish and operate a Planetary Insurance System in areas of
world need which transcend national boundaries and in accordance
with legislation passed by the World Parliament.
i.
To assist the Presidium as may be requested in the technical
preparation of budgets for the operation of the World Government.
2.
The World Financial Administration shall be supervised by a
commission of ten members, together with a Senior Administrator and
a Cabinet Minister or Vice President. The commission shall be
composed of one commissioner each to be named by the House of
Peoples, the House of Nations, the House of Counselors, the
Presidium, the Collegium of World Judges, the Office of Attorneys
General, the World Ombudsmus, the Agency for Research and Planning,
the Agency for Technological and Environmental Assessment, and the
Institute on Governmental Procedures and World Problems.
Commissioners shall serve terms of five years, and may serve
consecutive terms.
Sec. H ‑ Commission for Legislative
Review
1.
The functions of the Commission for Legislative Review shall be to
examine World Legislation and World Laws which the World Parliament
enacts or adopts from the previous Body of International Law for the
purpose of analyzing whether any particular legislation or law has
become obsolete or obstructive or defective in serving the purposes
intended; and to make recommendations to the World Parliament
accordingly for repeal or amendment or replacement.
2.
The Commission for Legislative Review shall be composed of twelve
members, including two each to be elected by the House of Peoples,
the House of Nations, the House of Counselors, the Collegium of
World Judges, the World Ombudsmus and the Presidium. Members of the
Commission shall serve terms of ten years, and may be re‑elected to
serve consecutive terms. One half of the Commission members after
the Commission is first formed shall be elected every five years,
with the first terms for one half of the members to be only five
years.
Sec. A ‑ Jurisdiction of the World Supreme Court
1.
A World Supreme Court shall be established, together with such
regional and district World Courts as may subsequently be found
necessary. The World Supreme Court shall comprise a number of
benches.
2.
The World Supreme Court, together with such regional and district
World Courts as may be established, shall have mandatory
jurisdiction in all cases, actions, disputes, conflicts, violations
of law, civil suits, guarantees of civil and human rights,
constitutional interpretations, and other litigations arising under
the provisions of this World Constitution, world legislation, and
the body of world law approved by the World Parliament.
3.
Decisions of the World Supreme Court shall be binding on all parties
involved in all cases, actions and litigations brought before any
bench of the World Supreme Court for settlement. Each bench of the
World Supreme Court shall constitute a court of highest appeal,
except when matters of extra‑ordinary public importance are assigned
or transferred to the Superior Tribunal of the World Supreme Court,
as provided in Section E of Article IX.
Sec. B ‑ Benches of the World
Supreme Court
The benches of the World Supreme
Court and their respective jurisdictions shall be as follows:
1.
Bench for Human Rights: To deal with issues of human rights arising
under the guarantee of civil and human rights provided by Article
XIII of this World Constitution, and arising in pursuance of the
provisions of Article XIII of this World Constitution, and arising
otherwise under world legislation and the body of world law approved
by the World Parliament.
2.
Bench for Criminal Cases: To deal with issues arising from the
violation of world laws and world legislation by individuals,
corporations, groups and associations, but not issues primarily
concerned with human rights.
3.
Bench for Civil Cases: To deal with issues involving civil law suits
and disputes between individuals, corporations, groups and
associations arising under world legislation and world law and the
administration thereof.
4.
Bench for Constitutional Cases: To deal with the interpretation of
the World Constitution and with issues and actions arising in
connection with the interpretation of the World Constitution.5.
Bench for International Conflicts: To deal with disputes, conflicts
and legal contest arising between or among the nations which have
joined in the Federation of Earth.
6.
Bench for Public Cases: To deal with issues not under the
jurisdiction of another bench arising from conflicts, disputes,
civil suits or other legal contests between the World Government and
corporations, groups or individuals, or between national governments
and corporations, groups or individuals in cases involving world
legislation and world law.
7.
Appellate Bench: To deal with issues involving world legislation and
world law which may be appealed from national courts; and to decide
which bench to assign a case or action or litigation when a question
or disagreement arises over the proper jurisdiction.
8.
Advisory Bench: To give opinions upon request on any legal question
arising under world law or world legislation, exclusive of contests
or actions involving interpretation of the World Constitution.
Advisory opinions may be requested by any House or committee of the
World Parliament, by the Presidium, any Administrative Department,
the Office of World Attorneys General, the World Ombudsmus, or by
any agency of the Integrative Complex.
9.
Other benches may be established, combined or terminated upon
recommendation of the Collegium of World Judges with approval by the
World Parliament; but benches number one through eight may not be
combined nor terminated except by amendment of this World
Constitution.
Sec. C ‑ Seats of the World Supreme
Court
1.
The primary seat of the World Supreme Court and all benches shall be
the same as for the location of the Primary World Capital and for
the location of the World Parliament and the World Executive.
2.
Continental seats of the World Supreme Court shall be established in
the four secondary capitals of the World Government located in four
different Continental Divisions of Earth, as provided in Article XV.
3.
The following permanent benches of the World Supreme Court shall be
established both at the primary seat and at each of the continental
seats: Human Rights, Criminal Cases, Civil Cases, and Public Cases.
4.
The following permanent benches of the World Supreme Court shall be
located only at the primary seat of the World Supreme Court:
Constitutional Cases, International Conflicts, Appellate Bench, and
Advisory Bench.
5.
Benches which are located permanently only at the primary seat of
the World Supreme Court may hold special sessions at the other
continental seats of the World Supreme Court when necessary, or may
establish continental circuits if needed.
6.
Benches of the World Supreme Court which have permanent continental
locations may hold special sessions at other locations when needed,
or may establish regional circuits if needed.
Sec. D ‑ The Collegium of World
Judges
1.
A Collegium of World Judges shall be established by the World
Parliament. The Collegium shall consist of a minimum of twenty
member judges, and may be expanded as needed but not to exceed sixty
members.
2.
The World Judges to compose the Collegium of World Judges shall be
nominated by the House of Counselors and shall be elected by
plurality vote of the three Houses of the World Parliament in joint
session. The House of Counselors shall nominate between two and
three times the number of world judges to be elected at any one
time. An equal number of World Judges shall be elected from each of
ten World Electoral and Administrative Magna‑Regions, if not
immediately then by rotation.
3.
The term of office for a World Judge shall be ten years. Successive
terms may be served without limit.
4.
The Collegium of World Judges shall elect a Presiding Council of
World Judges, consisting of a Chief Justice and four Associate Chief
Justices. One member of the Presiding Council of World Judges shall
be elected from each of five Continental Divisions of Earth. Members
of the Presiding Council of World Judges shall serve five year terms
on the Presiding Council, and may serve two successive terms, but
not two successive terms as Chief Justice.
5.
The Presiding Council of World Judges shall assign all World Judges,
including themselves, to the several benches of the World Supreme
Court. Each bench for a sitting at each location shall have a
minimum of three World Judges, except that the number of World
Judges for benches on Continental Cases and International Conflicts,
and the Appellate Bench, shall be no less than five.
6.
The member judges of each bench at each location shall choose
annually a Presiding Judge, who may serve two successive terms.
7.
The members of the several benches may be reconstituted from time to
time as may seem desirable or necessary upon the decision of the
Presiding Council of World Judges. Any decision to re‑constitute a
bench shall be referred to a vote of the entire Collegium of World
Judges by request of any World Judge.
8.
Any World Judge may be removed from office for cause by an absolute
two‑ thirds majority vote of the three Houses of the World
Parliament in joint session.
9.
Qualifications for Judges of the World Supreme Court shall be at
least ten years of legal or juristic experience, minimum age of
thirty years, and evident competence in world law and the
humanities.
10.
The salaries, expenses, remunerations and prerogatives of the World
Judges shall be determined by the World Parliament, and shall be
reviewed every five years, but shall not be changed to the
disadvantage of any World Judge during a term of office. A ll
members of the Collegium of World Judges shall receive the same
salaries, except that additional compensation may be given to the
Presiding Council of World Judges.
11.
Upon recommendation by the Collegium of World Judges, the World
Parliament shall have the authority to establish regional and
district world courts below the World Supreme Court, and to
establish the jurisdictions thereof, and the procedures for appeal
to the World Supreme Court or to the several benches thereof.
12.
The detailed rules of procedure for the functioning of the World
Supreme Court, the Collegium of World Judges, and for each bench of
the World Supreme Court, shall be decided and amended by absolute
majority vote of the Collegium of World Judges.
Sec. E ‑ The Superior Tribunal of
the World Supreme Court
1.
A Superior Tribunal of the World Supreme Court shall be established
to take cases which are considered to be of extra‑ordinary public
importance. The Superior Tribunal for any calendar year shall
consist of the Presiding Council of World Judges together with one
World Judge named by the Presiding Judge of each bench of the World
Court sitting at the primary seat of the World Supreme Court. The
composition of the Superior Tribunal may be continued unchanged for
a second year by decision of the Presiding Council of World Judges.
2.
Any party to any dispute, issue, case or litigation coming under the
jurisdiction of the World Supreme Court, may apply to any particular
bench of the World Supreme Court or to the Presiding Council of
World Judges for the assignment or transfer of the case to the
Superior Tribunal on the grounds of extra‑ordinary public
importance. If the application is granted, the case shall be heard
and disposed of by the Superior Tribunal. Also, any bench taking any
particular case, if satisfied that the case is of extra‑ordinary
public importance, may of its own discretion transfer the case to
the Superior Tribunal.
Sec. A ‑ Basic Principles
1.
The enforcement of world law and world legislation shall apply
directly to individuals, and individuals shall be held responsible
for compliance with world law and world legislation regardless of
whether the individuals are acting in their own capacity or as
agents or officials of governments at any level or of the
institutions of governments, or as agents or officials of
corporations, organizations, associations or groups of any kind.
2.
When world law or world legislation or decisions of the world courts
are violated, the Enforcement System shall operate to identify and
apprehend the individuals responsible for violations.
3.
Any enforcement action shall not violate the civil and human rights
guaranteed under this World Constitution.
4.
The enforcement of world law and world legislation shall be carried
out in the context of a non‑military world federation wherein all
member nations shall disarm as a condition for joining and
benefitting from the world federation, subject to Article X VII,
Sec. C‑8 and D‑6. The Federation of Earth and World Government under
this World Constitution shall neither keep nor use weapons of mass
destruction.
5.
Those agents of the enforcement system whose function shall be to
apprehend and bring to court violators of world law and world
legislation shall be equipped only with such weapons as are
appropriate for the apprehension of the individuals responsible for
violations.
6.
The enforcement of world law and world legislation under this World
Constitution shall be conceived and developed primarily as the
processes of effective design and administration of world law and
world legislation to serve the welfare of all people on Earth, with
equity and justice for all, in which the resources of Earth and the
funds and the credits of the World Government are used only to serve
peaceful human needs, and none used for weapons of mass destruction
or for war making capabilities.
Sec. B ‑ The Structure for
Enforcement: World Attorneys General
1. The Enforcement System
shall be headed by an Office of World Attorneys General and a
Commission of Regional World Attorneys.
2. The Office of World
Attorneys General shall be comprised of five members, one of whom
shall be designated as the World Attorney General and the other four
shall each be designated an Associate World Attorney General.
3. The Commission of Regional
World Attorneys shall consist of twenty Regional World Attorneys.
4. The members to comprise the
Office of World Attorneys General shall be nominated by the House of
Counselors, with three nominees from each Continental Division of
Earth. One member of the Office shall be elected from each of five
Continental Divisions by plurality vote of the three houses of the
World Parliament in joint session.
5. The term of office for a
member of the Office of World Attorneys General shall be ten years.
A member may serve two consecutive terms. The position of World
Attorney General shall rotate every two years among the five members
of the Office. The order of rotation shall be decided among the five
members of the Office.
6. The Office of World
Attorneys General shall nominate members for the Commission of
twenty Regional World Attorneys from the twenty World Electoral and
Administrative Regions, with between two and three nominees
submitted for each Region. From these nominations, the three Houses
of the World Parliament in joint session shall elect one Regional
World Attorney from each of the twenty Regions. Regional World
Attorneys shall serve terms of five years, and may serve three
consecutive terms.
7. Each Regional World
Attorney shall organize and be in charge of an Office of Regional
World Attorney. Each Associate World Attorney General shall
supervise five Offices of Regional World Attorneys.
8. The staff to carry out the
work of enforcement, in addition to the five members of the Office
of World Attorneys
General and the twenty Regional
World Attorneys, shall be selected from civil service lists, and
shall be organized for the following functions:
a. Investigation.
b. Apprehension and arrest.
c. Prosecution.
d. Remedies and correction.
e. Conflict resolution.
9. Qualifications for a member
of the Office of World Attorneys General and for the Regional World
Attorneys shall be at least thirty years of age, at least seven
years legal experience, and education in law and the humanities.
10. The World Attorney
General, the Associate World Attorneys General, and the Regional
World Attorneys shall at all times be responsible to the World
Parliament. Any member of the Office of World Attorneys General and
any Regional World Attorney can be removed from office for cause by
a simple majority vote of the three Houses of the World Parliament
in joint session.
Sec. C ‑ The World Police
1. That section of the staff
of the Office of World Attorneys General and of the Offices of
Regional World Attorneys responsible for the apprehension and arrest
of violators of world law and world legislation, shall be designated
as World Police.
2. Each regional staff of the
World Police shall be headed by a Regional World Police Captain, who
shall be appointed by the Regional World Attorney.
3. The Office of World
Attorneys General shall appoint a World Police Supervisor, to be in
charge of those activities which transcend regional boundaries. The
World Police Supervisor shall direct the Regional World Police
Captains in any actions which require coordinated or joint action
transcending regional boundaries, and shall direct any action which
requires initiation or direction from the Office of World Attorneys
General.
4. Searches and arrests to be
made by World Police shall be made only upon warrants issued by the
Office of World Attorneys General or by a Regional World Attorney.
5. World Police shall be armed
only with weapons appropriate for the apprehension of the
individuals responsible for violation of world law.
6. Employment in the capacity
of World Police Captain and World Police Supervisor shall be limited
to ten years.
7. The World Police Supervisor
and any Regional World Police Captain may be removed from office for
cause by decision of the Office of World Attorneys General or by
absolute majority vote of the three Houses of the World Parliament
in joint session.
Sec. D ‑ The Means of Enforcement
1. Non‑military means of
enforcement of world law and world legislation shall be developed by
the World Parliament and by the Office of World Attorneys General in
consultation with the Commission of Regional World Attorneys, the
Collegium of World Judges , the World Presidium, and the World
Ombudsmus. The actual means of enforcement shall require legislation
by the World Parliament.
2. Non‑military means of
enforcement which can be developed may include: Denial of financial
credit; denial of material resources and personnel; revocation of
licenses, charters, or corporate rights; impounding of equipment;
fines and damage payments; performance of work to rectify damages;
imprisonment or isolation; and other means appropriate to the
specific situations.
3. To cope with situations of
potential or actual riots, insurrection and resort to armed
violence, particular strategies and methods shall be developed by
the World Parliament and by the Office of World Attorneys General in
consultation with the Commission of Regional World Attorneys, the
collegium of World Judges, the Presidium and the World Ombudsmus.
Such strategies and methods shall require enabling legislation by
the World Parliament where required in addition to the specific
provisions of this World Constitution.
4. A basic condition for
preventing outbreaks of violence which the Enforcement System shall
facilitate in every way possible, shall be to assure a fair hearing
under non‑violent circumstances for any person or group having a
grievance, and likewise to assure a fair opportunity for a just
settlement of any grievance with due regard for the rights and
welfare of all concerned.
Sec. A ‑ Functions and Powers of the World Ombudsmus
The functions and powers of the
World Ombudsmus, as public defender, shall include the following:
1.
To protect the People of Earth and all individuals against
violations or neglect of universal human and civil rights which are
stipulated in Article 12 and other sections of this World
Constitution.
2. To protect the People of
Earth against violations of this World Constitution by any official
or agency of the World Government, including both elected and
appointed officials or public employees regardless of organ,
department, office, agency or rank.
3. To press for the
implementation of the Directive Principles for the World Government
as defined in Article 13 of this World Constitution.
4. To promote the welfare of
the people of Earth by seeking to assure that conditions of social
justice and of minimizing disparities are achieved in the
implementation and administration of world legislation and world
law.
5. To keep on the alert for
perils to humanity arising from technological innovations,
environmental disruptions and other diverse sources, and to launch
initiatives for correction or prevention of such perils.
6. To ascertain that the
administration of otherwise proper laws, ordinances and procedures
of the World Government do not result in unforseen injustices or
inequities, or become stultified in bureaucracy or the details of
administration.
7. To receive and hear
complaints, grievances or requests for aid from any person, group,
organization, association, body politic or agency concerning any
matter which comes within the purview of the World Ombudsmus.
8. To request the Office of
World Attorneys General or any Regional World Attorney to initiate
legal actions or court proceedings whenever and wherever considered
necessary or desirable in the view of the World Ombudsmus.
9. To directly initiate legal
actions and court proceedings whenever the World Ombudsmus deems
necessary.
10. To review the functioning
of the departments, bureaus, offices, commissions, institutes,
organs and agencies of the World Government to ascertain whether the
procedures of the World government are adequately fulfilling their
purposes and serving the welfare of humanity in optimum fashion, and
to make recommendations for improvements.
11. To present an annual
report to the World Parliament and to the Presidium on the
activities of the World Ombudsmus, together with any recommendations
for legislative measures to improve the functioning of the World
Government for the purpose of better serving the welfare of the
People of Earth.
Sec. B ‑ Composition of the World
Ombudsmus
1. The World Ombudsmus shall
be headed by a Council of World Ombudsmen of five members, one of
whom shall be designated as Principal World Ombudsman, while the
other four shall each be designated as an Associate World Ombudsman.
2. Members to compose the
Council of World Ombudsmen shall be nominated by the House of
Counselors, with three nominees from each Continental Division of
Earth. One member of the Council shall be elected from each of five
Continental Divisions by plurality vote of the three Houses of the
World Parliament in joint session.
3. The term of office for a
World Ombudsman shall be ten years. A World Ombudsman may serve two
successive terms. The position of Principal World Ombudsman shall be
rotated every two years. The order of rotation shall be determined
by the Council of World Ombudsmen.
4. The Council of World
Ombudsmen shall be assisted by a Commission of World Advocates of
twenty members. Members for the Commission of World Advocates shall
be nominated by the Council of World Ombudsmen from twenty World
Electoral and Administrative Regions, with between two and three
nominees submitted for each Region. One World Advocate shall be
elected from each of the twenty World Electoral and Administrative
Regions by the three Houses of the World Parliament in joint
session. World Advocates shall serve terms of five years, and may
serve a maximum of four successive terms.
5. The Council of World Ombudsmen
shall establish twenty regional offices, in addition to the
principal world office at the primary seat of the World Government.
The twenty regional offices of the World Ombudsmus shall parallel
the organization of the twenty Offices of Regional World Attorney.
6. Each regional office of the
World Ombudsmus shall be headed by a World Advocate. Each five
regional offices of the World Ombudsmus shall be supervised by an
Associate World Ombudsman.
7. Any World Ombudsman and any
World Advocate may be removed from office for cause by an absolute
majority vote of the three Houses of the World Parliament in joint
session.
8. Staff members for the World
Ombudsmus and for each regional office of the World Ombudsmus shall
be selected and employed from civil service lists.
9. Qualifications for World
Ombudsman and for World Advocate shall be at least thirty years of
age, at least five years legal experience, and education in law and
other relevant education.
The
inhabitants and citizens of Earth who are within the Federation of
Earth shall have certain inalienable rights defined hereunder. It
shall be mandatory for the World Parliament, the World Executive,
and all organs and agencies of the World Government to honor,
implement and enforce these rights, as well as for the national
governments of all member nations in the Federation of Earth to do
likewise. Individuals or groups suffering violation or neglect of
such rights shall have full recourse through the World Ombudsmus,
the Enforcement System and the World Courts for redress of
grievances. The inalienable rights shall include the following:
1. Equal rights for all
citizens of the Federation of Earth, with no discrimination on
grounds of race, color, caste, nationality, sex, religion, political
affiliation, property, or social status.
2. Equal protection and
application of world legislation and world laws for all citizens of
the Federation of Earth.
3. Freedom of thought and
conscience, speech, press, writing, communication, expression,
publication, broadcasting, telecasting, and cinema, except as an
overt part of or incitement to violence, armed riot or insurrection.
4. Freedom of assembly,
association, organization, petition and peaceful demonstration.
5. Freedom to vote without
duress, and freedom for political organization and campaigning
without censorship or recrimination.
6. Freedom to profess,
practice and promote religious or religious beliefs or no religion
or religious belief.
7. Freedom to profess and
promote political beliefs or no political beliefs.
8. Freedom for investigation,
research and reporting.
9. Freedom to travel without
passport or visas or other forms of registration used to limit
travel between, among or within nations.
10. Prohibition against
slavery, peonage, involuntary servitude, and conscription of labor.
11. Prohibition against
military conscription.
12. Safety of person from
arbitrary or unreasonable arrest, detention, exile, search or
seizure; requirement of warrants for searches and arrests.
13. Prohibition against
physical or psychological duress or torture during any period of
investigation, arrest, detention or imprisonment, and against cruel
or unusual punishment.
14. Right of habeas corpus; no
ex‑post‑facto laws; no double jeopardy; right to refuse
self‑incrimination or the incrimination of another.
15. Prohibition against private
armies and paramilitary organizations as being threats to the common
peace and safety.
16. Safety of property from
arbitrary seizure; protection against exercise of the power of
eminent domain without reasonable compensation.
17. Right to family planning
and free public assistance to achieve family planning objectives.
18. Right of privacy of
person, family and association; prohibition against surveillance as
a means of political control.
It
shall be the aim of the World Government to secure certain other
rights for all inhabitants within the Federation of Earth, but
without immediate guarantee of universal achievement and
enforcement. These rights are defined as Directive Principles,
obligating the World Government to pursue every reasonable means for
universal realization and implementation, and shall include the
following:
1. Equal opportunity for
useful employment for everyone, with wages or remuneration
sufficient to assure human dignity.
2. Freedom of choice in work,
occupation, employment or profession.
3. Full access to information
and to the accumulated knowledge of the human race.
4. Free and adequate public
education available to everyone, extending to the pre‑university
level; Equal opportunities for elementary and higher education for
all persons; equal opportunity for continued education for all
persons throughout life; the right of any person or parent to choose
a private educational institution at any time.
5. Free and adequate public
health services and medical care available to everyone throughout
life under conditions of free choice.
6. Equal opportunity for
leisure time for everyone; better distribution of the work load of
society so that every person may have equitable leisure time
opportunities.
7. Equal opportunity for
everyone to enjoy the benefits of scientific and technological
discoveries and developments.
8. Protection for everyone
against the hazards and perils of technological innovations and
developments.
9. Protection of the natural
environment which is the common heritage of humanity against
pollution, ecological disruption or damage which could imperil life
or lower the quality of life.
10. Conservation of those
natural resources of Earth which are limited so that present and
future generations may continue to enjoy life on the planet Earth.
11. Assurance for everyone of
adequate housing, of adequate and nutritious food supplies, of safe
and adequate water supplies, of pure air with protection of oxygen
supplies and the ozone layer, and in general for the continuance of
an environment which can sustain healthy living for all.
12. Assure to each child the
right to the full realization of his or her potential.
13. Social Security for
everyone to relieve the hazards of unemployment, sickness, old age,
family circumstances, disability, catastrophes of nature, and
technological change, and to allow retirement with sufficient
lifetime income for living under conditions of human dignity during
older age.
14. Rapid elimination of and
prohibitions against technological hazards and man‑made
environmental disturbances which are found to create dangers to life
on Earth.
15. Implementation of
intensive programs to discover, develop and institute safe
alternatives and practical substitutions for technologies which must
be eliminated and prohibited because of hazards and dangers to life.
16. Encouragement for cultural
diversity; encouragement for decentralized administration.
17. Freedom for peaceful
self‑determination for minorities, refugees and dissenters.
18. Freedom for change of
residence to anywhere on Earth conditioned by provisions for
temporary sanctuaries in events of large numbers of refugees,
stateless persons, or mass migrations.
19. Prohibition against the
death penalty.
Sec. A ‑ Certain Safeguards
The World Government shall operate
to secure for all nations and peoples within the Federation of Earth
the safeguards which are defined hereunder:
1. Guarantee that full faith
and credit shall be given to the public acts, records, legislation
and judicial proceedings of the member nations within the Federation
of Earth, consistent with the several provisions of this World
Constitution.
2. Assure freedom of choice
within the member nations and countries of the Federation of Earth
to determine their internal political, economic and social systems,
consistent with the guarantees and protections given under this
World Constitution to assure civil liberties and human rights and a
safe environment for life, and otherwise consistent with the several
provisions of this World Constitution.
3. Grant the right of asylum
within the Federation of Earth for persons who may seek refuge from
countries or nations which are not yet included within the
Federation of Earth.
4. Grant the right of
individuals and groups, after the Federation of Earth includes 90
percent of the territory of Earth, to peacefully leave the hegemony
of the Federation of Earth and to live in suitable territory set
aside by the Federation neither restricted nor protected by the
World Government, provided that such territory does not extend
beyond five percent of Earth's habitable territory, is kept
completely disarmed and not used as a base for inciting violence or
insurrection within or against the Federation of Earth or any member
nation, and is kept free of acts of environmental or technological
damage which seriously affect Earth outside such territory.
Sec. B ‑ Reservation of Powers
The powers not delegated to the
World Government by this World Constitution shall be reserved to the
nations of the Federation of Earth and to the people of Earth.
Sec. A ‑ World Federal Zones
1.
Twenty World Federal Zones shall be established within the twenty
World Electoral and Administrative Regions, for the purposes of the
location of the several organs of the World Government and of the
administrative departments, the world courts, the offices of the
Regional World Attorneys, the offices of the World Advocates, and
for the location of other branches, departments, institutes,
offices, bureaus, commissions, agencies and parts of the World
Government.
2. The World Federal Zones
shall be established as the needs and resources of the World
Government develop and expand. World Federal Zones shall be
established first within each of five Continental Divisions.
3. The location and
administration of the World Federal Zones, including the first five,
shall be determined by the World Parliament.
Sec. B ‑ The World Capitals
1. Five World Capitals shall
be established in each of five Continental Divisions of Earth, to be
located in each of the five World Federal Zones which are
established first as provided in Article 15 of this World
Constitution.
2. One of the World Capitals
shall be designated by the World Parliament as the Primary World
Capital, and the other four shall be designated as Secondary World
Capitals.
3. The primary seats of all
organs of the World Government shall be located in the Primary World
Capital, and other major seats of the several organs of the World
Government shall be located in the Secondary World Capitals.
Sec. C ‑ Locational Procedures
1. Choices for location of the
twenty World Federal Zones and for the five World Capitals shall be
proposed by the Presidium, and then shall be decided by a simple
majority vote of the three Houses of the World Parliament in joint
session. The Presidium shall offer choices of two or three locations
in each of the twenty World Electoral and Administrative Regions to
be World Federal Zones, and shall offer two alternative choices for
each of the five World Capitals.
2. The Presidium in
consultation with the Executive Cabinet shall then propose which of
the five World Capitals shall be the Primary World Capital, to be
decided by a simply majority vote of the three Houses of the World
Parliament in joint session.
3. Each organ of the World
Government shall decide how best to apportion and organize its
functions and activities among the five World Capitals, and among
the twenty World Federal Zones, subject to specific directions from
the World Parliament.
4. The World Parliament may
decide to rotate its sessions among the five World Capitals, and if
so, to decide the procedure for rotation.
5. For the first two operative
stages of World Government as defined in Article 17, and for the
Provisional World
Government as defined in Article 19,
a provisional location may be selected for the Primary World
Capital. The provisional location need not be continued as a
permanent location.
6. Any World Capital or World
Federal Zone may be relocated by an absolute two‑thirds majority
vote of the three Houses of the World Parliament in joint session.
7. Additional World Federal
Zones may be designated if found necessary by proposal of the
Presidium and approval by an absolute majority vote of the three
Houses of the World Parliament in joint session.
Sec. A ‑ World Territory
1. Those areas of the Earth
and Earth's moon which are not under the jurisdiction of existing
nations at the time of forming the Federation of Earth, or which are
not reasonably within the province of national ownership and
administration, or which are declared to be World Territory
subsequent to establishment of the Federation of Earth, shall be
designated as World Territory and shall belong to all of the people
of Earth.
2. The administration of World
Territory shall be determined by the World Parliament and
implemented by the World Executive, and shall apply to the following
areas:
a. All oceans and seas having
an international or supra‑national character, together with the
seabeds and resources thereof, beginning at a distance of twenty
kilometers offshore, excluding inland seas of traditional national
ownership.
b. Vital straits, channels,
and canals.
c. The atmosphere enveloping
Earth, beginning at an elevation of one kilometer above the general
surface of the land, excluding the depressions in areas of much
variation in elevation.
d. Man‑made satellites and
Earth's moon.
e. Colonies which may choose
the status of World Territory; non‑independent territories under the
trust administration of nations or of the United Nations; any
islands or atolls which are unclaimed by any nation; independent
lands or countries which choose the status of World Territory; and
disputed lands which choose the status of World Territory.
3. The residents of any World
Territory, except designated World Federal Zones, shall have the
right within reason to decide by plebiscite to become a
self‑governing nation within the Federation of Earth, either singly
or in combination with other World Territories, or to unite with an
existing nation with the Federation of Earth.
Sec. B ‑ Exterior Relations
1. The World Government shall
maintain exterior relations with those nations of Earth which have
not joined the Federation of Earth. Exterior relations shall be
under the administration of the Presidium, subject at all times to
specific instructions and approval by the World Parliament.
2. All treaties and agreements
with nations remaining outside the Federation of Earth shall be
negotiated by the Presidium and must be ratified by a simple
majority vote of the three Houses of the World Parliament.
3. The World Government for
the Federation of Earth shall establish and maintain peaceful
relations with other planets and celestial bodies where and when it
may become possible to establish communications with the possible
inhabitants thereof.
4. All explorations into outer
space, both within and beyond the solar system in which Planet Earth
is located, shall be under the exclusive direction and control of
the World Government, and shall be conducted in such manner as shall
be determined by the World Parliament.
Sec. A ‑ Ratification of the
World Constitution
This World Constitution shall be
submitted to the nations and people of Earth for ratification by the
following procedures:
1. The World Constitution
shall be transmitted to the General Assembly of the United Nations
Organization and to each national government on Earth, with the
request that the World Constitution be submitted to the national
legislature of each nation for preliminary ratification and to the
people of each nation for final ratification by popular referendum.
2. Preliminary ratification by
a national legislature shall be accomplished by simple majority vote
of the national legislature.
3. Final ratification by the
people shall be accomplished by a simple majority of votes cast in a
popular referendum, provided that a minimum of twenty‑five percent
of eligible voters of age eighteen years and over have cast ballots
within the nation or country or within World Electoral and
Administrative Districts.
4. In the case of a nation
without a national legislature, the head of the national government
shall be requested to give preliminary ratification and to submit
the World Constitution for final ratification by popular referendum.
5. In the event that a
national government, after six months, fails to submit the World
Constitution for ratification as requested, then the global agency
assuming responsibility for the worldwide ratification campaign may
proceed to conduct a direct referendum for ratification of the World
Constitution by the people. Direct referendums may be organized on
the basis of entire nations or countries, or on the basis of
existing defined communities within nations.
6. In the event of a direct
ratification referendum, final ratification shall be accomplished by
a majority of the votes cast whether for an entire nation or for a
World Electoral and Administrative District, provided that ballots
are cast by a minimum o f twenty‑five percent of eligible voters of
the area who are over eighteen years of age.
7. For ratification by
existing communities within a nation, the procedure shall be to
request local communities, cities, counties, states, provinces,
cantons, prefectures, tribal jurisdictions, or other defined
political units within a nation to ratify the World Constitution,
and to submit the World Constitution for a referendum vote by the
citizens of the community or political unit. Ratification may be
accomplished by proceeding in this way until all eligible voters of
age eighteen and above within the nation or World Electoral and
Administrative District have had the opportunity to vote, provided
that ballots are cast by a minimum of twenty‑five percent of those
eligible to vote.
8. Prior to the Full Operative
Stage of World Government, as defined under Section E of Article
XVII, the universities, colleges and scientific academies and
institutes in any country may ratify the World Constitution, thus
qualifying them for participation in the nomination of Members of
the World Parliament to the House of Counselors.
9. In the case of those
nations currently involved in serious international disputes or
where traditional enmities and chronic disputes may exist among two
or more nations, a procedure for concurrent paired ratification
shall be instituted whereby the nations which are parties to a
current or chronic international dispute or conflict may
simultaneously ratify the World Constitution. In such cases, the
paired nations shall be admitted into the Federation of Earth
simultaneously, with the obligation for each such nation to
immediately turn over all weapons of mass destruction to the World
Government, and to turn over the conflict or dispute for mandatory
peaceful settlement by the World Government.
10. Each nation or political
unit which ratifies this World Constitution, either by preliminary
ratification or final ratification, shall be bound never to use any
armed forces or weapons of mass destruction against another member
or unit of the Federation of Earth, regardless of how long it may
take to achieve full disarmament of all the nations and political
units which ratify this World Constitution.
11. When ratified, the
Constitution for the Federation of Earth becomes the supreme law of
Earth. By the act of ratifying this Earth Constitution, any
provision in the Constitution or Legislation of any country so
ratifying, which is contrary to this Earth Constitution, is either
repealed or amended to conform with the Constitution for the
Federation of Earth, effective as soon as 25 countries have so
ratified. The amendment of National or State Constitutions to allow
entry into World Federation is not necessary prior to ratification
of the Constitution for the Federation of Earth.
Sec. B ‑ Stages of Implementation
1. Implementation of this
World Constitution and the establishment of World Government
pursuant to the terms of this World Constitution, may be
accomplished in three stages, as follows, in addition to the stage
of a Provisional World Government as provided under Article 19:
a. First Operative Stage of World Government.
b. Second Operative Stage of World Government.
c. Full Operative Stage of
World Government.
2. At the beginning and during
each stage, the World Parliament and the World Executive together
shall establish goals and develop means for the progressive
implementation of the World Constitution, and for the implementation
of legislation enacted by the World Parliament.
Sec. C ‑ First Operative Stage of
World Government
1. The first operative stage
of World Government under this World Constitution shall be
implemented when the World Constitution is ratified by a sufficient
number of nations and/or people to meet one or the other of the
following conditions or equivalent :
a. Preliminary or final
ratification by a minimum of twenty‑five nations, each having a
population of more than 100,000.
b. Preliminary or final
ratification by a minimum of ten nations above 100,000 population,
together with ratification by direct referendum within a minimum of
fifty additional World Electoral and Administrative Districts.
c. Ratification by direct
referendum within a minimum of 100 World Electoral and
Administrative Districts, even though no nation as such has
ratified.
2. The election of Members of
the World Parliament to the House of Peoples shall be conducted in
all World Electoral and Administrative Districts where ratification
has been accomplished by popular referendum.
3. The Election of Members of
the World Parliament to the House of Peoples may proceed
concurrently with direct popular referendums both prior to and after
the First Operative Stage of World Government is reached.
4. The appointment or election
of Members of the World Parliament to the House of Nations shall
proceed in all nations where preliminary ratification has been
accomplished.
5. One‑fourth of the Members
of the World Parliament to the House of Counselors may be elected
from nominees submitted by universities and colleges which have
ratified the World Constitution.
6. The World Presidium and the
Executive Cabinet shall be elected according to the provisions in
article VI, except that in the absence of a House of Counselors, the
nominations shall be made by the members of the House of Peoples and
of the House of Nations in joint session. Until this is
accomplished, the Presidium and Executive Cabinet of the Provisional
World Government as provided in Article 19, shall continue to serve.
7. When composed, the
Presidium for the first operative stage of World Government shall
assign or re‑assign Ministerial posts among Cabinet and Presidium
members, and shall immediately establish or confirm a World
Disarmament Agency and a World Economic and Development
Organization.
8. Those nations which ratify
this World Constitution and thereby join the Federation of Earth,
shall immediately transfer all weapons of mass destruction as
defined and designated by the World Disarmament Agency to that
Agency. (See Article 19, Sections A‑2‑d, B‑6 and E‑5). The World
Disarmament Agency shall immediately immobilize all such weapons and
shall proceed with dispatch to dismantle, convert to peacetime use,
re‑cycle the materials thereof or otherwise destroy all such
weapons. During the first operative stage of World Government, the
ratifying nations may retain armed forces equipped with weapons
other than weapons of mass destruction as defined and designated by
the World Disarmament Agency.
9. Concurrently with the
reduction or elimination of such weapons of mass destruction and
other military expenditures as can be accomplished during the first
operative stage of World Government, the member nations of the
Federation of Earth shall pay annually to the Treasury of the World
Government amounts equal to one‑half the amounts saved from their
respective national military budgets during the last year before
joining the Federation, and shall continue such payments until the
full operative stage of World Government is reached. The World
Government shall use fifty percent of the funds thus received to
finance the work and projects of the World Economic Development
Organization.
10. The World Parliament and
the World Executive shall continue to develop the organs,
departments, agencies and activities originated under the
Provisional World Government, with such amendments as deemed
necessary; and shall proceed to establish and beg in the following
organs, departments and agencies of the World Government, if not
already underway, together with such other departments, and agencies
as are considered desirable and feasible during the first operative
stage of World Government:
a. The World Supreme Court;
b. The Enforcement System;
c. The World Ombudsmus;
d. The World Civil Service
Administration;
e. The World Financial
Administration;
f. The Agency for Research and
Planning;
g. The Agency for
Technological and Environmental Assessment;
h. An Emergency Earth Rescue
Administration, concerned with all aspects of climate change and
related factors;
i. An Integrated Global Energy
System, based on environmentally safe sources;
j. A World University System,
under the Department of Education;
k. A World Corporations
Office, under the Department of Commerce and Industry;
l. The World Service Corps;
m. A World Oceans and Seabeds
Administration.
11. At the beginning of the
first operative stage, the Presidium in consultation with the
Executive Cabinet shall formulate and put forward a proposed program
for solving the most urgent world problems currently confronting
humanity.
12. The World Parliament shall
proceed to work upon solutions to world problems. The World
Parliament and the World Executive working together shall institute
through the several organs, departments and agencies of the World
Government whatever means shall seem appropriate and feasible to
accomplish the implementation and enforcement of world legislation,
world law and the World Constitution; and in particular shall take
certain decisive actions for the welfare of all people on Earth,
applicable throughout the world, including but not limited to the
following:
a. Expedite the organization
and work of an Emergency Earth Rescue Administration, concerned with
all aspects of climate change and climate crises;
b. Expedite the new finance,
credit and monetary system, to serve human needs;
c. Expedite an integrated
global energy system, utilizing solar energy, hydrogen energy, and
other safe and sustainable sources of energy;
d. Push forward a global
program for agricultural production to achieve maximum sustained
yield under conditions which are ecologically sound;
e. Establish conditions for
free trade within the Federation of Earth;
f. Call for and find ways to
implement a moratorium on nuclear energy projects until all problems
are solved concerning safety, disposal of toxic wastes and the
dangers of use or diversion of materials for the production of
nuclear weapons;
g. Outlaw and find ways to
completely terminate the production of nuclear weapons and all
weapons of mass destruction;
h. Push forward programs to
assure adequate and non‑polluted water supplies and clean air
supplies for everybody on Earth;
i. Push forward a global
program to conserve and re‑cycle the resources of Earth.
j. Develop an acceptable
program to bring population growth under control, especially by
raising standards of living.
Sec. D ‑ Second Operative Stage of
World Government
1. The second operative stage
of World Government shall be implemented when fifty percent or more
of the nations of Earth have given either preliminary or final
ratification to this World Constitution, provided that fifty percent
of the total population of Earth is included either within the
ratifying nations or within the ratifying nations together with
additional World Electoral and Administrative Districts where people
have ratified the World Constitution by direct referendum.
2. The election and
appointment of Members of the World Parliament to the several Houses
of the World Parliament shall proceed in the same manner as
specified for the first operative stage in Section C‑2,3,4 and 5 of
Article 17.
3. The terms of office of the
Members of the World Parliament elected or appointed for the first
operative stage of World Government, shall be extended into the
second operative stage unless they have already served five year
terms, in which case new elections or appointments shall be
arranged. The terms of holdover Members of the World Parliament into
the second operative stage shall be adjusted to run concurrently
with the terms of those who are newly elected at the beginning of
the second operative stage.
4. The World Presidium and the
Executive Cabinet shall be re‑constituted or reconfirmed, as needed,
at the beginning of the second operative stage of World Government.
5. The World Parliament and
the World Executive shall continue to develop the organs,
departments, agencies and activities which are already underway from
the first operative stage of World Government, with such amendments
as deemed necessary; and shall proceed to establish and develop all
other organs and major departments and agencies of the World
Government to the extent deemed feasible during the second operative
stage.
6. All nations joining the
Federation of Earth to compose the second operative stage of World
Government, shall immediately transfer all weapons of mass
destruction and all other military weapons and equipment to the
World Disarmament Agency, which shall immediately immobilize such
weapons and equipment and shall proceed forthwith to dismantle,
convert to peacetime uses, recycle the materials thereof, or
otherwise destroy such weapons and equipment. During the second
operative stage, all armed forces and para‑military forces of the
nations which have joined the Federation of Earth shall be
completely disarmed and either disbanded or converted on a voluntary
basis into elements of the non‑military World Service Corps.
7. Concurrently with the
reduction or elimination of such weapons, equipment and other
military expenditures as can be accomplished during the second
operative stage of World Government, the member nations of the
Federation of Earth shall pay annually to the Treasury of the World
Government amounts equal to one‑half of the amounts saved from their
national military budgets during the last year before joining the
Federation and shall continue such payments until the full operative
stage of World Government is reached. The World Government shall use
fifty percent of the funds thus received to finance the work and
projects of the World Economic Development Organization.
8. Upon formation of the
Executive Cabinet for the second operative stage, the Presidium
shall issue an invitation to the General Assembly of the United
Nations Organization and to each of the specialized agencies of the
United Nations, as well as to other useful international agencies,
to transfer personnel, facilities, equipment, resources and
allegiance to the Federation of Earth and to the World Government
thereof. The agencies and functions of the United Nations
Organization and of its specialized agencies and of other
international agencies which may be thus transferred, shall be
reconstituted as needed and integrated into the several organs,
departments, offices and agencies of the World Government.
9. Near the beginning of the
second operative stage, the Presidium in consultation with the
Executive cabinet, shall formulate and put forward a proposed
program for solving the most urgent world problems currently
confronting the people of Earth.
10. The World Parliament shall
proceed with legislation necessary for implementing a complete
program for solving the current urgent world problems.
11. The World Parliament and
the World Executive working together shall develop through the
several organs, departments and agencies of the World Government
whatever means shall seem appropriate and feasible to implement
legislation for solving world problems; and in particular shall take
certain decisive actions for the welfare of all people on Earth,
including but not limited to the following:
a. Declaring all oceans, seas
and canals having supra‑national character (but not including inland
seas traditionally belonging to particular nations) from twenty
kilometers offshore, and all the seabeds thereof, to be under the
ownership of the Federation of Earth as the common heritage of
humanity, and subject to the control and management of the World
Government.
b. Declare the polar caps and
surrounding polar areas, including the continent of Antarctica but
not areas which are traditionally a part of particular nations, to
be world territory owned by the Federation of Earth as the common
heritage of humanity, and subject to control and management by the
World Government.
c. Outlaw the possession,
stockpiling, sale and use of all nuclear weapons, all weapons of
mass destruction, and all other military weapons and equipment.
d. Establish an ever‑normal
granary and food supply system for the people of Earth.
e. Develop and carry forward
insofar as feasible all actions defined under Sec. C‑10 and C‑12 of
the First Operative Stage.
Sec. E ‑ Full Operative Stage of
World Government
1. The full operative stage of
World Government shall be implemented when this World Constitution
is given either preliminary or final ratification by meeting either
condition (a) or (b):
a. Ratification by eighty
percent or more of the nations of Earth comprising at least ninety
percent of the population of Earth; or
b. Ratification which includes
ninety percent of Earth's total population, either within ratifying
nations or within ratifying nations together with additional World
Electoral and Administrative Districts where ratification by direct
referendum has been accomplished, as provided in Article 17, Section
A.
2. When the full operative
stage of World Government is reached, the following conditions shall
be implemented:
a. Elections for Members of
the House of Peoples shall be conducted in all World Electoral and
Administrative Districts where elections have not already taken
place; and Members of the House of Nations shall be elected or
appointed by the national legislatures or national governments in
all nations where this has not already been accomplished.
b. The terms of office for Members
of the House of Peoples and of the House of Nations serving during
the second operative stage, shall be continued into the full
operative stage, except for those who have already served five
years, in which case elections shall be held or appointments made as
required.
c. The terms of office for all
holdover Members of the House of Peoples and of the House of Nations
who have served less than five years, shall be adjusted to run
concurrently with those Members of the World Parliament whose terms
are beginning with the full operative stage.
d. The second 100 Members of
the House of Counselors shall be elected according to the procedure
specified in Section E of Article 5. The terms of office for
holdover Members of the House of Counselors shall run five more
years after the beginning of the full operative stage, while those
beginning their terms with the full operative stage shall serve ten
years.
e. The Presidium and the
Executive Cabinet shall be reconstituted in accordance with the
provisions of Article VI.
f. All organs of the World
Government shall be made fully operative, and shall be fully
developed for the effective administration and implementation of
world legislation, world law and the provisions of this World
Constitution.
g. All nations which have not
already done so shall immediately transfer all military weapons and
equipment to the World Disarmament Agency, which shall immediately
immobilize all such weapons and shall proceed forthwith to
dismantle, convert to peaceful usage, recycle the materials thereof,
or otherwise to destroy such weapons and equipment.
h. All armies and military
forces of every kind shall be completely disarmed, and either
disbanded or converted and integrated on a voluntary basis into the
non‑military World Service Corps.
i. All viable agencies of the
United Nations Organization and other viable international agencies
established among national governments, together with their
personnel, facilities and resources, shall be transferred to the
World Government and reconstituted and integrated as may be useful
into the organs, departments, offices, institutes, commissions,
bureaus and agencies of the World Government.
j. The World Parliament and
the World Executive shall continue to develop the activities and
projects which are already underway from the second operative stage
of World Government, with such amendments as deemed necessary; and
shall proceed with a complete and full scale program to solve world
problems and serve the welfare of all people on Earth, in accordance
with the provisions of this World Constitution.
Sec. F ‑ Costs of Ratification
The work and costs of private
Citizens of Earth for the achievement of a ratified Constitution for
the Federation of Earth, are recognized as legitimate costs for the
establishment of constitutional world government by which present
and future generations will benefit, and shall be repaid double the
original amount by the World Financial Administration of the World
Government when it becomes operational after 25 countries have
ratified this Constitution for the Federation of Earth. Repayment
specifically includes contributions to the World Government Funding
Corporation and other costs and expenses recognized by standards and
procedures to be established by the World Financial Administration.
1.
Following completion of the first operative stage of World
Government, amendments to this World Constitution may be proposed
for consideration in two ways:
a.
By a simple majority vote of any House of the World Parliament.
b. By petitions signed by a
total of 200,000 persons eligible to vote in world elections from a
total of at least twenty World Electoral and Administrative
Districts where the World Constitution has received final
ratification.
2. Passage of any amendment
proposed by a House of the World Parliament shall require an
absolute two‑thirds majority vote of each of the three Houses of the
World Parliament voting separately.
3. An amendment proposed by
popular petition shall first require a simple majority vote of the
House of Peoples, which shall be obliged to take a vote upon the
proposed amendment. Passage of the amendment shall then require an
absolute two‑thirds majority vote of each of the three Houses of the
World Parliament voting separately.
4. Periodically, but no later
than ten years after first convening the World Parliament for the
First Operative Stage of World Government, and every 20 years
thereafter, the Members of the World Parliament shall meet in
special session comprising a Constitutional Convention to conduct a
review of this World Constitution to consider and propose possible
amendments, which shall then require action as specified in Clause 2
of Article XVIII for passage.
5. If the First Operative
Stage of World Government is not reached by the year 1995, then the
Provisional World Parliament, as provided under Article XIX, may
convene another session of the World Constituent Assembly to review
the Constitution for the Federation of Earth and consider possible
amendments according to procedure established by the Provisional
World Parliament.
6. Except by following the
amendment procedures specified herein, no part of this World
Constitution may be set aside, suspended or subverted, neither for
emergencies nor caprice nor convenience.
Sec. A ‑ Actions to be Taken
by the World Constituent Assembly
Upon adoption of the World
Constitution by the World Constituent Assembly, the Assembly and
such continuing agency or agencies as it shall designate shall do
the following, without being limited thereto:
1. Issue a Call to all
Nations, communities and people of Earth to ratify this World
Constitution for World Government.
2. Establish the following
preparatory commissions:
a. Ratification Commission.
b. World Elections Commission.
c. World Development
Commission.
d. World Disarmament
Commission.
e. World Problems Commission.
f. Nominating Commission.
g. Finance Commission.
h. Peace Research and
Education Commission.
i. Special commissions on each
of several of the most urgent world problems.
j. Such other commissions as
may be deemed desirable in order to proceed with the Provisional
World Government.
3. Convene Sessions of a
Provisional World Parliament when feasible under the following
conditions:
a. Seek the commitment of 500
or more delegates to attend, representing people in 20 countries
from five continents, and having credentials defined by Article 19,
Section C;
b. The minimum funds necessary
to organize the sessions of the Provisional World Parliament are
either on hand or firmly pledged.
c. Suitable locations are
confirmed at least nine months in advance, unless emergency
conditions justify shorter advance notice.
Sec. B ‑ Work of the Preparatory
Commissions
1. The Ratification Commission
shall carry out a worldwide campaign for the ratification of the
World Constitution, both to obtain preliminary ratification by
national governments, including national legislatures, and to obtain
final ratification by people, including communities. The
ratification commission shall continue its work until the full
operative stage of World Government is reached.
2. The World Elections
Commission shall prepare a provisional global map of World Electoral
and Administrative Districts and Regions which may be revised during
the first or second operative stage of World Government, and shall
prepare and proceed with plans to obtain the election of Members of
the World Parliament to the House of Peoples and to the House of
Counselors. The World Elections Commission shall in due course be
converted into the World Boundaries and Elections Administration.
3. After six months, in those
countries where national governments have not responded favorable to
the ratification call, the Ratification Commission and the World
Elections Commission may proceed jointly to accomplish both the
ratification of the World Constitution by direct popular referendum
and concurrently the election of Members of the World Parliament.
4. The Ratification Commission
may also submit the World Constitution for ratification by
universities and colleges throughout the world.
5. The World Development
Commission shall prepare plans for the creation of a World Economic
Development Organization to serve all nations and people ratifying
the World Constitution, and in particular less developed countries,
to begin functioning when the Provisional World Government is
established.
6. The World Disarmament
Commission shall prepare plans for the organization of a World
Disarmament Agency, to begin functioning when the Provisional World
Government is established.
7. The World Problems
Commission shall prepare an agenda of urgent world problems, with
documentation, for possible action by the Provisional World
Parliament and Provisional World Government.
8. The Nominating Commission
shall prepare, in advance of convening the Provisional World
Parliament, a list of nominees to compose the Presidium and the
Executive Cabinet for the Provisional World Government.
9. The Finance Commission
shall work on ways and means for financing the Provisional World
Government.
10. The several commissions on
particular world problems shall work on the preparation of proposed
world legislation and action on each problem, to present to the
Provisional World Parliament when it convenes.
Sec. C ‑ Composition of the
Provisional World Parliament
1. The Provisional World
Parliament shall be composed of the following members:
a. All those who were
accredited as delegates to the 1977 and 1991 Sessions of the World
Constituent Assembly, as well as to any previous Session of the
Provisional World Parliament, and who re‑confirm their support for
the Constitution for the Federation of Earth, as amended.
b. Persons who obtain the
required number of signatures on election petitions, or who are
designated by Non‑Governmental Organizations which adopt approved
resolutions for this purpose, or who are otherwise accredited
according to terms specified in Calls which may be issued to convene
particular sessions of the Provisional World Parliament.
c. Members of the World
Parliament to the House of Peoples who are elected from World
Electoral and Administrative Districts up to the time of convening
the Provisional World Parliament. Members of the World Parliament
elected to the House of Peoples may continue to be added to the
Provisional World Parliament until the first operative stage of
World Government is reached.
d. Members of the World
Parliament to the House of Nations who are elected by national
legislatures or appointed by national governments up to the time of
convening the Provisional World Parliament. Members of the World
Parliament to the House of Nations may continue to be added to the
Provisional World Parliament until the first operative stage of
World Government is reached.
e. Those universities and
colleges which have ratified the World Constitution may nominate
persons to serve as Members of the World Parliament to the House of
Counselors. The House of Peoples and House of Nations together may
then elect from such nominees up to fifty Members of the World
Parliament to serve in the House of Counselors of the Provisional
World Government.
2. Members of the Provisional
World Parliament in categories (a) and (b) as defined above, shall
serve only until the first operative stage of World Government is
declared, but may be duly elected to continue as Members of the
World Parliament during the first operative stage.
Sec. D ‑ Formation of the
Provisional World Executive
1. As soon as the Provisional
World Parliament next convenes, it will elect a new Presidium for
the Provisional World Parliament and Provisional World Government
from among the nominees submitted by the Nominating Commission.
2. Members of the Provisional
World Presidium shall serve terms of three years, and may be
re‑elected by the Provisional World Parliament, but in any case
shall serve only until the Presidium is elected under the First
Operative Stage of World Government.
3. The Presidium may make
additional nominations for the Executive Cabinet.
4. The Provisional World
Parliament shall then elect the members of the Executive Cabinet.
5. The Presidium shall then
assign ministerial posts among the members of the Executive Cabinet
and of the Presidium.
6. When steps (1) through (4)
of section D are completed, the Provisional World Government shall
be declared in operation to serve the welfare of humanity.
Sec. E ‑ First Actions of the
Provisional World Government
1. The Presidium, in
consultation with the Executive Cabinet, the commissions on
particular world problems and the World Parliament, shall define a
program for action on urgent world problems.
2. The Provisional World
Parliament shall go to work on the agenda of world problems, and
shall take any and all actions it considers appropriate and
feasible, in accordance with the provisions of this World
Constitution.
3. Implementation of and
compliance with the legislation enacted by the Provisional World
Parliament shall be sought on a voluntary basis in return for the
benefits to be realized, while strength of the Provisional World
Government is being increased by the progressive ratification of the
World Constitution.
4. Insofar as considered
appropriate and feasible, the Provisional World Parliament and
Provisional World Executive may undertake some of the actions
specified under Section C‑12 of Article 17 for the first operative
stage of World Government.
5. The World Economic
Development Organization and the World Disarmament Agency shall be
established, for correlated actions.
6. The World Parliament and
the Executive Cabinet of the Provisional World Government shall
proceed with the organization of other organs and agencies of the
World Government on a provisional basis, insofar as considered
desirable and feasible, in particular those specified under Section
C‑10 of Article 17.
7. The several preparatory
commissions on urgent world problems may be reconstituted as
Administrative Departments of the Provisional World Government.
8. In all of its work and
activities, the Provisional World Government shall function in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution for the
Federation of Earth.
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End of
the Constitution
The Constitution for the Federation of
Earth was originally ratified at the second session of the World
Constituent Assembly held at Innsbruck, Austria in June, 1977; and was
amended and ratified at the fourth session of the World Constituent
Assembly held at Troia, Portugal in May 1991. The Amended Constitution
is being personally ratified by outstanding personalities throughout
the world as the campaign for ratification by the people and
governments of the world continues.
CALL
to the GLOBAL RATIFICATION and ELECTIONS CAMPAIGN
In the course of history, particularly
during the past several hundred years, the technique of a Constituent
Assembly has been developed and used under various circumstances as a
means to devise the constitutions for democratic governments, either
to create new governments where none existed before or to replace old
or crumbling governments under both peaceful and revolutionary
situations.
Sometimes such assemblies have been
appointed by existing governments. At other times, under the most
favorable circumstances, such assemblies have been elected by vote of
established electorates. But at other times such assemblies have been
composed and convened under circumstances where only a limited number
of people of the country or areas involved actually took part in the
selection of delegates. Only a small minority of any electorate might
actually participate during the time when a new democratic government
is emerging under conditions of revolution from tyranny or of
political turmoil or urgent crises; or in the absence of any organized
political system which was willing or able to supervise a vote of the
total potential electorate for such an assembly or newly emerging
democratic government.
It is under the later kind of
circumstances that the move has gone forward during the years since
World War II for the organization of a World Constituent Assembly to
devise the constitution for a democratic form of federal world
government. No previous world government or competent world authority
has existed to organize or supervise elections to such a World
Constituent Assembly. No universally approved electoral lists exist
for the conduct of such elections. Existing national governments
heretofore have proved unwilling or uninterested or hostile or
otherwise unable to assist in either the appointment or election of
working delegates to such a World Constituent Assembly, despite
numerous appeals ‑‑ although these appeals are continuing.
This Constitution has been translated
into twenty-two languages and distributed world-wide for study,
debates, and organizing by the citizens of Earth.
Under Article XIX of the Constitution
Provisional World Parliaments are being held in various locations
around the world to begin the process of elaboration of world law as a
model and an incentive for the people of the Earth to assert their
sovereignty and begin an official World Parliament upon ratification
of this Constitution. These have been organized by the World
Constitution and Parliament Association and The Institute on World
Problems.
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