联合民主国家
The Dawn of UNDW: A New Economic Paradigm
The global landscape is constantly shifting, and a potentially transformative development is on the horizon: the emergence of the UNDW economic bloc. Envisioned as an alliance of democracies, the UNDW holds the potential to become the world's largest economic force, potentially boasting a combined GDP of $44 trillion of today! This would surpass the economic might of the United States and even the BRICS nations, ushering in a new era of collaborative growth and shared prosperity.
The allure of the UNDW lies not only in its impressive economic potential but also in its philosophical foundation. Imagine an economic bloc built upon the shared ideals of freedom, self-determination, and democratic values. It's a vision of nations united by their commitment to empowering their citizens and fostering a society where individual choices and aspirations are valued. This shared vision sets the UNDW apart from purely transactional economic alliances.
EU
The UNDW model distinguishes itself from other forms of international cooperation, particularly the European Union. Unlike the EU, which strives for a degree of standardization across diverse cultures and legal systems, the UNDW prioritizes economic and developmental integration through a single economic market built on free trade, free travel, and a unified foreign exchange currency. While the EU aims for a level of political and social harmonization, the UNDW focuses on fostering economic synergy while preserving the distinct identities and sovereign rights of its member states.
US
Similarly, the UNDW differentiates itself from the United States. While the US operates with a federal system, a single language, and a unified currency across its 50 states, the UNDW does not envision a federal structure. Each UNDW member nation retains its independent governance, legal framework, and cultural identity, participating in the bloc voluntarily and retaining the option to engage in further integration at its own pace. This approach acknowledges the unique circumstances and aspirations of each member, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to the collective goals of the UNDW.
It's worth noting that the economic output of the EU+ (38 countries) matches up with that of the US with 50 states. These economic giants, US, EU+ along with China and the BRICS nations, represent formidable competitors in the global arena. However, the US often utilizes platforms like the G7/G8 to project its dominance and strategically divide potential rivals by selectively including certain nations while excluding others. The UNDW, in contrast, seeks to foster a more inclusive and collaborative environment, uniting democracies in a spirit of mutual benefit and shared growth.
GDP PER CAPITA WORLD WIDE
The current global economic landscape is characterized by an imbalance of wealth and opportunity. The total world GDP stands at approximately $104 trillion (see table), translating to a world wide average GDP per Capita of $12,500 (population 8.5 billion). This figure starkly contrasts with the reality that half the world's population lives on less than $10 a day. Addressing this disparity requires a concerted effort to stimulate economic development in underserved regions. Through strategic economic injections and targeted investments, the global GDP could realistically expand by $50 trillion within the next two decades, reaching a formidable $154 trillion of value today! This comes on top of the global economic growth!
UNDW GROWTH
The UNDW envisions a significant portion of this potential economic growth of $50 trillion being directed towards its member states that are democracies in development. These are nations that, despite embracing democratic principles, struggle with underdeveloped economies, weak institutions, and inadequate education systems. Investing in these nations will not only improve the lives of their citizens but also stimulate their internal markets, creating new opportunities for both developing and developed democracies within the UNDW bloc.
DEMOCRACIES IN DEVELOPMENT
The core mission of the UNDW is to unite working democracies with democracies in development. The latter category encompasses nations that have adopted democratic governance but face challenges in achieving full economic and institutional development. These nations often grapple with inadequate justice systems, outdated laws inherited from colonial legacies, and a lack of capacity to adapt to modern challenges as a result of poverty. However, the UNDW recognizes the importance of respecting the sovereignty of its members and refrains from imposing prescriptive solutions. Instead, it empowers its members to evolve their legal and judicial systems in a manner that aligns with their unique cultural and societal values.
LEGAL STRUCTURES
While the UNDW avoids dictating specific policies or legal structures, it does require adherence to certain fundamental principles of democracy. These principles, which will be determined by a UNDW Forum representing its member states, serve as a baseline for membership and ensure that the bloc remains committed to democratic values. This includes upholding the principles of free elections, free formation of political parties in accordance with national laws, ensuring a vibrant, free civil society with free press and rights on peaceful demonstrations.
The UNDW believes that by fostering economic cooperation and providing a platform for shared learning, each member state will be incentivized to strengthen its democratic institutions and practices over time.
AN AMERICAN NIGHTMARE OR DREAM?
In contrast to the UNDW's collaborative approach, the United States is currently grappling with a "capitalistic complex," where the pursuit of profit has arguably overshadowed social well-being. The "American Dream" has become a nightmare for many, as evidenced by the nation's staggering foreign debt and the widespread poverty and homelessness that plague its cities. The economic state of the US, measured by its debt-to-GDP ratio, is comparable to that of Italy, yet Italy boasts a stronger social welfare system and a lower incidence of extreme poverty.
The policies of the current US administration are accelerating the nation's decline by undermining international institutions and alienating allies. This trend underscores the need for a new paradigm of international cooperation, one that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and shared prosperity. The UNDW offers a compelling vision for such a future, uniting democracies in a collaborative effort to build a more equitable and prosperous world for all.
ECONOMIC BLOC
The UNDW envisions the formation of a powerful economic bloc of working democracies including democracies in development, with the potential to become a dominant force in the global economy. This bloc could potentially expand further as nations currently under dictatorial, military, or terrorist rule transition back to democratic governance. There is a belief that some nations within existing blocs, such as Brazil, India, and South Africa (in the BRICS), may be better suited for inclusion within this new democratic economic framework afterall.
While immediate participation from all democracies may not be feasible, the UNDW can initiate the bloc with a core group of committed nations. Encouraging the participation of all democratic nations would be the key objective.
The economic bloc will focus on fostering free trade, facilitating free travel, and promoting direct investments to stimulate economic growth, boost production, and advance technological capabilities. Simultaneously, it will prioritize the development and protection of national agriculture, recognizing its crucial role in ensuring food security for each member state.
To create a unified market among world democracies, the bloc will pursue the establishment of new free trade agreements within the block. Furthermore, by pooling resources through a 1% GDP contribution from each member state (e.g. re-allocated from military spending), a substantial capital base can be raised for the establishment of a new investment bank. This bank would operate on a circular investment program, ensuring that member states quickly benefit from increased investments in their local infrastructure, production capacities, technologies, and vital medical and educational institutions.