Establishing a Global Citizen Council: A Call for Equal Democracy

In an era where climate change threatens our very existence, it’s clear that traditional governance structures fail. We stand at a crossroads where global challenges demand global solutions, and it’s time for us to take collective action. We propose the first global referendum. Its purpose is to create a Global Citizen Council (GCC). This council is governed by the principles of Equal Democracy (ED). ED gives every global citizen the same amount of influence. It uses smartphones, cryptocurrency, and cloud storage to allow secure, transparent, and versatile participation.

Nations are not made to Solve Global Problems

Global problems need global solutions. Climate change affects every corner of the planet, regardless of political boundaries. No single nation, no matter how powerful, can mitigate its impacts unilaterally. Greenhouse gas emissions in one country contribute to rising temperatures and extreme weather events worldwide.

As Albert Einstein once noticed, while the United Nations is important, it is merely a transition toward a final goal. Issues like war, climate change, pandemics, and economic instability can not be effectively addressed by nations acting alone.

The current situation is unsustainable. The veto principle makes the UN powerless. National interests and geopolitical rivalries hinder collective action. Many global institutions are suffering from a lack of democratic legitimacy. Decisions are often made by a select few, leaving billions without a voice in matters that affect their future.

Rethinking Governance: No Physical Chambers Needed

Traditional governance structures often rely on physical assemblies and hierarchical systems, which can be slow and susceptible to corruption. During the COVID pandemic, we learned that a modern council doesn’t need a physical location. Meetings were held on digital platforms worldwide. Virtual meetings not only reduce the risk of infections. They saved money, increased accessibility, and made decision-making faster.

Can the decisions even become better if they are digital? According to Condorcet’s Jury Theorem, certainly. If the jury members’ opinions are just a little better than random, the more members, the better the decision. This holds for a council too. GCC can make better decisions if not restricted to a physical room.

History showed that power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The idea of a Global President concentrates too much authority on one individual, posing significant risks. In contrast, a GCC governed by Equal Democracy ensures equal power resides among all global citizens. This effectively eliminates tyranny or corruption at the highest level. In the digital age, we can imagine how the GCC operates:

• GCC is a virtual online council, accessible from your smartphone. It allows for continuous and flexible participation without the need for a physical chamber.
• Decisions are made through digital voting and communication platforms in response to urgent global issues.
• Nothing is hidden. Digital records of debates and decisions enhance accountability and public trust.
• The topic of decision is connected to the UN 17 Sustainable Goals.

Why govern GCC by Equal Democracy?

Equal Democracy (ED) is built on equal participation. Every person has the right to propose, debate, and vote. The right is equal but restricted to a few issues every year. Importantly, the person chooses for themselves which of the UN 17 Goals to concentrate on. Every goal will have many proposals, and the person selects only one from a menu. This specialization creates a political division of labor.

When individuals focus on issues they know and are passionate about, we get competent decision-making. ED offers a solution to the problem that everybody wants to rule: Let’s divide the tasks and rule together! The power is distributed evenly so that everyone has an equal say.

To promote democratic activity, participation is encouraged and rewarded in PD, fostering a culture of involvement and responsibility. Besides the common interest, privacy is highly respected. The voting is safeguarded and secret. Advanced security measures protect the integrity of votes while ensuring voter privacy.

There are no representatives who can accumulate excessive power or be swayed by special interests. By involving all citizens, we harness collective intelligence and reduce the risks of corruption and abuse of power. Without a hierarchical structure, the GCC operates on principles of equality and fairness. This ensures that the policies will show the will of the people.

Introducing the First Global Referendum

To implement this innovation, we propose conducting the world’s first Global Referendum to create a Global Citizen Council (GCC). This council would be empowered to enact and enforce global laws aimed at solving the UN 17 SDGs.

• A global referendum gives democratic legitimacy. A referendum with billions voting transcends national politics, giving equal voice to all and fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
• Every global citizen (+18) can vote in the referendum, ensuring that the GCC has a legitimate mandate.
• Information and communication technology can implement secure individual voting booths in smartphones and computers.

A Global Referendum is no Science Fiction; the technology already exists. Smartphones and Internet connectivity allow for global participation. A secure app backed in the cloud can be accessible to billions. Blockchain and encryption safeguard against fraud and prove that each vote counts. Efforts will be made to reach marginalized populations by providing access points, education, and support in multiple languages. The app implementation requires a unified global action.

Prerequisites and Preparations to Establish the GCC

Establishing a Global Citizen Council by a Referendum requires a margin of two-thirds (66.7%) of the votes supporting it. Additionally, at least half of the eligible voters must vote. Of the roughly 8 billion people in the world, 5 billion are eligible. The goal is to get 3 billion to vote, and at least 2 billion of them to vote for.

Impossible? No! We call for companies and programmers who are willing to contribute and build the app together in open source. Best practices will follow, both in the planning and workflow, to implement consistent and effective code.

The app should be built with victory in mind. When the global referendum is won, we can start using it to practice ED from day one. The GCC enhances legitimacy. Policies enacted have the backing of the global populace, increasing compliance and cooperation. Diverse perspectives contribute to more creative solutions and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This creates a world order based on transparency and trust. Open processes build confidence in governance structures, fostering global solidarity.