The “World Beyond War” Movement — It’s the Real Deal

By Roger Kotila, Ph.D.

DWF Vice President

The organization known as World Beyond War describes itself as a global nonviolent movement to end war. According to its leaders, we now have available “revolutionary new knowledge and methods of nonviolent conflict management” that, if activated, “can end war.” World federalists may discover an ambivalence among WBW activists as to whether or not a world beyond war can be achieved without establishing a democratic world federal union government. Nevertheless, to WBW’s credit, they give ample attention to important concepts developed by world federalists that include both gradualist and fast track strategies to establish a democratic world federation.

Both the website and publication A Global Security System: An Alternative to War (March 2015) are impressive. Activists and the general public will find the concepts and information to be factual, comprehensive, and sophisticated — yet extremely readable.

It is obvious that World Beyond War is being run by experienced and well-informed activists. That is one reason I believe this campaign is genuinely “the real deal” with a good chance for success.

National security — a failed system

The system of national security is flatly rejected by WBW. It is a “failed system” they argue, and needs to be replaced with the concept of common security (no one is safe until all are safe).

Part of moving away from the national security mentality involves the establishment of a “culture of peace” in order to turn the tide in a world that floods the public with customs, events, and stories that glamorize war. Demands by politicians for “more” national security help fuel added militarization.

Common security as the new paradigm provides an enlightened and radically different geopolitical outlook. Nations would no longer need to seek military superiority, nor would they have a need to operate in secrecy. Secrecy breeds paranoia. Openness builds trust.

A shift to common security changes basic values. It could lead to economic conversion, moving a country like the United States away from a military/industrial/war economy to a global peace economy. With no need to build bombs, missiles, or other weapons of war, workers can find new careers and jobs in the green economy and financial resources become available to communities for infrastructure, housing, health, and education.

Phasing out the global war system

WBW offers numerous measures to transform the global war system: Phasing out foreign military bases; ending the use of militarized drones; phasing out weapons of mass destruction; outlawing the arms trade; outlawing weapons in outer space; ending invasions and occupations; dismantling military alliances.

An emerging global peace system will require a strengthening of international institutions such as the International Court of Justice (i.e., World Court), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and the United Nations.

For over 60 years world federalists have warned that the UN, because of its flawed Charter, was destined for failure when it comes to ending war. Nevertheless, some world federalists and many peace activists have convinced themselves that global problems can ultimately be resolved by modifying the existing UN/geopolitical system, a system based upon treaties between nations, long standing customs, and international law.

A web of changed governing structures — but can it work?

WBW discusses strategies for UN reform that fall under the rubric of “democratizing” and “strengthening” the UN. Strategies are under consideration such as taking away the undemocratic veto power of the UN Security Council’s permanent 5 members and turning power over to the UN General Assembly which would be a more democratic world body than the Security Council.

The UN needs vastly better funding. The UN budget for fiscal year 2014–2015 is only 5.4 billion dollars, with an added 7.06 billion for peacekeeping.

Readers are reassured by World Beyond War that it is not seeking a world government. From the introduction to the chapter on “Outline of an Alternative Global Security System” we read:

“Note that World Beyond War is not proposing a sovereign world government, but rather a web of governing structures voluntarily entered into, and a shift in cultural norms away from violence and domination.”

The primary hope, then, is that strategies using existing geopolitical structures and enlightened cultural norms can end war permanently — without requiring the establishment of world government.

A key part of their overall strategy involves having a growing global network of organizations and people who nonviolently resist the direct and indirect war system, while simultaneously putting in place a new world of peaceful alternatives such as a Marshall Plan to financially help impoverished nations.

WBW also has something to offer environmental and human rights activists. There is a clear connection between ending war and saving the natural environment. The Pentagon is one of the world’s major polluters. Human rights activists offer a message “no justice, no peace” yet see rights taken away in the name of combating terrorism, a product of militarization.

Democratic world federation as a back-up strategy

Despite World Beyond War’s disclaimer regarding world federation/government, they have (wisely) kept it on the table, albeit for them as a second choice — perhaps a back-up plan if other strategies fail.

In fact, world federalist concepts and strategies are discussed frequently, but not necessarily labeled as such. For example, the suggested changes to the UN are so extensive as to amount to replacing the entire UN Charter, a goal that some world federalists believe is necessary.

If WBW’s preferred strategy falters, particularly in attempts to fix the UN, then it is smart to have an insurance policy, a back-up plan already in motion and ready to go.

WBW’s inclusion of The Earth Federation meets this need. Earth Federation activists believe that “reforms to existing international institutions are important, but not necessarily enough,” and that what is needed is “a new global organization.” Details are given to explain the emerging Earth Federation with its Provisional World Parliament under a world constitution (i.e., Earth Constitution), and with key features such as a democratically elected World Parliament and a universal Bill of Rights with a world judiciary system with enforcement powers.

If UN Charter Review is launched, then the Earth Constitution is available as a model for what an ideal democratic world federal union government might look like. It is feasible that the Earth Constitution replaces the obsolete UN Charter.

In conclusion, I think World Beyond War is doing an outstanding job for the global peace movement and has a good chance to catch on with activists and the general public. WBW, I predict, will become a nonviolent force to be reckoned with, a new hope for the vast majority of humanity who clearly reject war.

NOTE: The Democratic World Federalists are committed to expressing a wide range of views on the vision of creating a peaceful, just, and sustainable world through a democratic World Federation. The views expressed in this article represents that commitment and not necessarily our official position.

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