Politics is the art of compromise. President-elect Trump will soon realize he must reconcile with the "system" in order to handle the huge bureaucracy he will be heading in ten weeks. If the US is to be strong it must eliminate the role money plays in government and business. The US needs to remove the defects that mar its democratic system, keeping money out of the equation in elections. Elections that are free of charge to candidates will be a first step toward honest gover...more

The solution to perennial problems in many nations is a changeover to a semi-presidential parliamentary system like the one in Finland, along with a legislative system akin to the one which serves Switzerland. The prerequisite for permanent peace in the world is global democratization. South Sudan’s government should begin by adopting a basic constitution centered on models for democracy, calling for the realization of One World under One Set of Laws, and re-formulating the constitution to match the spirit of the times. For details see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

Hong Kong's Basic Law and the relevant provisions of the One Country, Two Systems principle stipulate that China must not interfere in Hong Kong affairs, yet Chinese authorities are constantly involved in the internal affairs of Hong Kong. Article 39 of the Hong Kong Basic Law guarantees the right of its citizens to self-determination, and the people have the right to call for a referendum on any public issue. The people of Hong Kong should decide their future through a referendum. Otherwise when dictatorship becomes a reality, the people will be obligated to resist.

As British historian Lord Acton once noted, "Power leads to corruption, and absolute power leads to absolute corruption." To avoid corruption, the only solution is to call for constitutional reform to implement democracy and the rule of law. Also essential are the separation of powers, and checks and balances, and election of the heads of major government branches. These moves are all necessary to ensure the connection between government and corruption is broken.

When China and Russia can accept democratization, there will be hope for peace among humankind. Democratic countriers should support efforts toward constitutional reform in Taiwan. Reform would lead to democracy and freedom to large number of people, triggering democratization of China and the CCP and thereby forcing Russia to accept true democracy. Thus will world peace be born. Democracies everywhere must support Taiwan as a beacon for democracy in Asia, illuminating the path toward permanent peace and development. See the Permanent Charter for Peace and Development.

The government of mainland China is rife with corruption, a situation which can be attributed to thousands of years of graft and bribery at every level of officialdom. The only way to overthrow this deeply engrained culture is to put power squarely in the hands of the people through direct elections of key officials including the president and vice president and the heads of various branches of government. This must be complemented by the election of 1/4 of Parliament each year and other measures to ensure separation of power. The Charter for Permanent Peace and Development offers solutions that will end corruption once and for all.

The key to solve the human rights issue in China is democracy and the rule of law. Taiwan needs to improve its system into pure form of democratic governance so we can be a role model for the mainland China and reform the Chinese communists. We must make Chinese government yield its power to people through constitutional reform and decentralize the governmental structure by direct elections of the deans. For more, please see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

The Iranian Ambassador to Russia said last month that Tehran is looking for ways to broaden the scope of defense cooperation with Moscow, even in areas that require coordination with the UN Security Council. Iranians would like to purchase a wide range of military-purpose products from Russia, some of which are covered by UNSC sanctions. Moscow has said it is ready to work with Iran in the area of military and technical cooperation. Democratic powers worldwide must support Taiwan in its bid to carry out constitutional reform. When Taiwan enjoys greater freedom under a truly democratic government it will lead the people of China to call for democratization and in turn, will put pressure on Russia to follow suit. For more details please see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye has been engulfed by a scandal centering on a confidante who is accused of using personal ties with Park to coerce local firms to donate millions of dollars to a non-profit foundation. The confidante is also accused of interfering in state affairs, and two former advisors are accused of helping her gain entrance to the presidential office. The scandal has sparked nationwide fury, with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets to call for Park’s resignation. Under South Korea’s constitution, the incumbent president may not be charged with a criminal offence except insurrection or treason. But many argue a sitting president can be investigated by prosecutors, then charged after leaving office. The problem of corruption can only be solved through constitutional reform. For details see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

Article 39 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law specifies that residents of the administrative region have the right of self-determination. The people of Hong Kong must not fall asleep while their rights are in danger. Take a lesson from the Swiss, where the signatures of 50,000 citizens are sufficient to call for a referendum, meaning that public issues can be settled with a vote with no need to take to the streets. Otherwise, when the dictatorship becomes a reality, the people will have no choice but to resist. For details, see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.