Elevator Talk

Introduction

The WFM discussion list held a contest called 'Elevator Talk' in which subscribers were invited to explain world federalism in 25 words or less.    All of the submissions were winners and are listed below.

The entries began with efforts to describe and explain world federalism, but some complained of a lack of excitement.  So the emphasis turned to devising a stirring 'call to arms' and inventing motivational 'taglines'.

The listings  given here are unattributed, so if there are any corrections, additions or request for deletions, please e-mail  [email protected].

The Submissions

"World Federalists envision a well-governed world system, where citizens elect their lawmakers at all levels from the local to the global." (optional) "...if possible through restructuring the U.N."

 "World federalists support a democratic global government to end war and pass enforceable laws on global issues while allowing countries autonomy in internal laws."

"State laws at the state level, national laws at the national level, world laws at the world level - each with elections, courts, and police force."

"World Federalists promote the development of democratic world institutions to make and enforce world law and to protect the integrity of state and sub-state governments. "

" We envision a future in which nations work together to abolish war, protect our rights and freedoms, and solve the problems facing humanity that no nation can solve alone. This vision requires effective democratic global institutions that will apply the rule of law while respecting the diversity and autonomy of national and local communities.

"This is the essence of world federalism: to seek to invest legal and political authority in world institutions to deal with problems which can only be treated adequately at the global level, while affirming the sovereignty of the nation-state in matters which are essentially internal."

"A multi-pronged process of democratic action that entrenches popular power in local communities and regions but also projects it onto the national and international stage. "

"World peace and sustainable development require that freedom and sovereignty be limited by just international laws that we want others to follow, that we must also follow, and a system of international enforcement."

"The present international system in which conflicts are resolved by force or threats of force (a war system) would be replaced by a political and judicial system (a peace system) where votes are taken and judges decide whether particular individuals have violated international law."

 "A democratic federal world government, founded on a world constitution with a global bill of human rights, will protect cultural diversity throughout the world and enable the human family to act as one to protect its common global home. All societies need just laws and responsible government. The Global Village is no exception."

 "World federalism - constitutional and democratic - will enable our 200-odd "clans" to live together in peace and prosperity. Despite vast cultural and religious differences in domestic notions of justice around the world, there are fundamentals such as human rights, as in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights upon which the vast majority of nations can agree, and those can and should be upheld by a global authority 'with backbone'."

" Democratic world federation is necessary to govern economic and technological globalization, establish universal peace, enable coherent worldwide development and preside over the emerging world civilization."

"A constitutional and democratic federation of the world's nations is humanity's best hope for achieving world peace and justice; for controlling economic, cultural, and other forms of globalization in the best interests of people and planet; and to be the world's highest political and judicial institution, legally enshrining the most fundamental values of our emerging global civilization. Without it, our world is doomed to remain a brutish jungle and cutthroat marketplace, or to become a global police state."

 "Without world law, you have warlords as government and terrorists as opposition. The world can do what Europe did to prevent war between members: federate."

"National sovereignty, freedom and security of all countries would be better protected if we build a real-world, legal system of government in which laws permit the removal of dictators."

 "You and I have the right to participate as free and equal members of a peaceful global society. World federation is about guaranteeing our liberty."

" There is a universal unchanging law that endows every sovereign citizen with fundamental rights. To further universal rights through law there must be universal democracy"

 "Citizens of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your multinational corporate chains!"

 "The World Federalist Movement: Changing McWorld to Our World. Over six billion served."

 "When dictators fight international law. And the law wins. World Federalist Movement. www.wfm.org"

 " World Peace With Justice Through Democratically Enacted and Enforceable World Law"

 "One World Under Law -World Federalist Movement. www.wfm.org"

  "A good world deserves a good government  -  World Federalist Movement. www.wfm.org"

  "Good Government for Global Citizens  -  World Federalist Movement. www.wfm.org"

    "Changing McWorld to Our World  -  World Federalist Movement. www.wfm.org"

   "You're a citizen of the world. Got government? The World Federalist Movement www.wfm.org"

" Empowering the Superpower of Peace One Global Citizen at a time.
    The World Federalist Movement www.wfm.org"

 "WANTED ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT
 Must be Just and Democratic - Possess backbone. Not be power crazy.
 APPLY HERE: World Federalist Movement www.wfm.org"

"To be successful, every community should be led by good government. What about the global community?"

 "World Law not World War  - WFM - because the final check and balance is you and me."

"The World Federalist Movement - Bringing Peace and Justice to the Global Village"