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International Human Rights
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Promote freedom for oppressed people everywhere, encourage open societies with free and fair elections, and take reasonable steps to bring down oppressive regimes when possible.
- While it is necessary to deal with all nations diplomatically in order to achieve positive global change, also create a body of Democratic Nations to further democracy, whatever form it may take, in all parts of the world.
- Refrain from using U.S. military force, even in furthering democracy or other worthy causes, where it may not be popular among the people, as history teaches that few campaigns succeed without support from the native population. Focus U.S. policy on emerging democratic movements, emphasizing political and financial aid, but support such movements militarily only when they represent a clear majority that is endangered by their current leadership.
- In cases of genocide or military attacks on civilians within a country, take the lead in initiating U.S. military response on behalf of the oppressed population, and remain as an occupying force until an international coalition of mostly neighboring countries can mediate the implementation of a new local government and the oppressive regime is delivered to the World Court to be tried for war crimes.
- Commit to direct U.S. involvement with the World Court in order to maintain legitimacy as a world leader. Where the World Court deviates philosophically from the United States, work from inside to generate consensus and promote U.S. principles and interests as a full and equal member of the world community.
Independence Movements & Self-Determination
Acknowledging that the quest for independence is not ipso facto criminal and that activists in this quest may have legitimate interests, recognize the right or legitimacy of independence movements worldwide to seek political autonomy through peaceful means, and encourage the United Nations to institute guidelines for these movements to pursue political independence in a legitimate fashion rather than through violence.
- Define a right to seek autonomy, to be recognized in international law in such a form that it can be practiced realistically to allow peaceful transition to independent or semi-independent status for a population seeking autonomy and obeying appropriate terms to preserve stability in regions that would be affected.
- Require certain conditions to be met by the population seeking independence, such as: it is the whole population within a defined contiguous geographical boundary, its size is greater than a required minimum number, it elects a leadership to negotiate a charter as the legal foundation for the new autonomous or semi-autonomous community, plus other appropriate conditions.
- Hold U.N.-mediated negotiations between the parent state and the population seeking independence, also a plebescite within the latter, perhaps requiring a 2/3 vote rather than simple majority, and give due recognition to the legitimate rights of parties who oppose the change to autonomy.
- Recognize degrees of autonomy ranging anywhere from that of total independence to one of modest semi-autonomy with economic ties or other obligations between the two political entities, according to the terms agreed to in the charter.
- Let the United States lead in trying to gain international recognition for this general right to seek political autonomy, acknowledging the long-term nature of the goal and the difficulty of persuading other nations, but staying true to the obligation to uphold basic universal values of free choice and self-determination and the virtue of change through peaceful and orderly processes.