International poll shows strong support for a world parliament
An international survey carried out on behalf of Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) found that public sentiment in 13 of 15 countries covered in the study strongly approves of the creation of a world parliament. With the exception of two countries, respondents who “strongly” or “somewhat” approved of the notion significantly outweighed those who oppose it, Democracy Without Borders reported on their blog.
On average, 60% of respondents leaned towards support while only 22% tended to opposing the proposal. The survey question explained that the world parliament "would be part of a global legislative system that under certain circumstances would pass legally binding laws to govern the world as a whole".
Top support was recorded in Kenya where an overwhelming majority of 81% leaned towards approving the notion with 52% being strongly in favor and 29% somewhat. According to the data published by Democracy Without Borders with FES' permission, next on the list, in order of the percentage of those leaning towards support, are India (78% in favor and 10% opposed), South Africa (73% and 21%), Tunisia (71% and 13%), Indonesia (68% and 13%), South Korea (65% and 18%), Japan (63% and 13%), Turkey (59% and 17%), Argentina (58% and 20%), Germany (56% and 26%), France (53% and 27%), Brazil (50% and 24%), Poland (49% and 25%), United Kingdom (41% and 37%) and the United States (38% and 42%).
"It is often claimed that nationalism is on the rise again. But many people, often clear majorities, would support institutional moves towards building a global society. This poll confirms that they would endorse a global democracy that is empowered to deal with global challenges. Governments should no longer ignore this desire and potential", Democracy Without Borders' Executive Director Andreas Bummel noted in the blog piece.
The organization is coordinating the campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly which at first would be a consultative body at the UN and in the long run could be developed into a world parliament.