Elective democracy is now universally accepted and promoted as
the norm for political legitimacy. But whereas most people today
can choose politicians to govern their cities, provinces or
states and countries, citizens do not vote directly for those
who represent us on important global issues at the United
Nations. The United Nations remains hamstrung by the clash of
national interests that obstruct social and environmental
progress for our global community. In contrast, 492 million
Europeans elect a Parliament which helps the continent manage
its common interests, transcending the violent inter-state
conflicts of the twentieth century. The great problems of our
times – war, disease, hunger, climate change – require co-
operative solutions. Why not give the United Nations a
parliamentary dimension to make it more inclusive, more
transparent, more collaborative, more accountable and more
effective?