Solution of the problem

The proposed solution of the problem is to anchor in national law the right of the people for a referendum after a decision of their government to make use of military force abroad. In the referendum the decision is either confirmed or rejected by the majority in a direct vote.

This clearly eliminates the construction error in the decision-making chain of all countries that are not direct democracies, and finally gives the people a democratic opportunity to say “No” to war.

Since this concerns us worldwide, we petition the United Nations General Assembly to pass a resolution that requires all member nations to implement corresponding national legislation.

There is evidence that at on average, we, the people, tend to be more peaceful than politicians and other leading elites (see e.g. 1,2). Not to talk about autocrats. Hence, giving us a say in war decisions should make the world more peaceful. And there is another effect: Countries that are democratic are perceived less threatening, all other things equal.

A particularly striking example is given by Switzerland: Since the Sonderbund War in 1847 and the subsequent constitution adopted in 1848, which anchored direct democracy, the country has never again been involved in a war – neither as aggressor, nor being aggressed.

That should make us think…

Of course, the procedure also raises questions or concerns. Some of them are answered in FAQ.