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.

Syria is at the center of much of the unrest in the Middle East, and considerable changes in the nation’s government must be considered in order to help bring about peace in the area. Setting up a semi-presidential system with a Parliament modeled after Switzerland’s is the first step toward democratization and the rule of law. This must be followed by adoption of a legal system in which international law takes precedent over domestic law. For details, see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

Violence and unrest are writing a growing list of victims in the wake of Gabon’s presidential election as the leading opposition camp accuses the nation’s president of ‘acting like a king.’ The people of Gabon must press for constitutional reform to prevent those in power from using their position to influence the results of elections and avoid further strife over politics and power. They must limit the impact of foreign elements in domestic politics and turn out leaders who become autocratic and unresponsive to the needs of the people.

Constitutional reform in Taiwan will bring even greater democracy and freedom for its people, a change sure to attract the attention of the 1.4 billion people in China. The hunger for democratization in China will in turn trigger a movement toward genuine democracy in Russia, and the world will be closer to realizing lasting peace. Democratic nations around the world must support Taiwan as a beacon for democracy in Asia, illuminating the way for peaceful development in China. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

Autocracy is always an enemy of human peace, and the prerequisite for permanent peace in the world is global democratization. A stable North Korea is in the national interest for China, thus it is essential to avoid conflict that would involve North Korea. Taiwan must shoulder the burden of saving democracy and lead China to democratize, after which efforts could be shifted toward pressuring China to work for democratization of North Korea. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

Efforts to instill democracy in Thailand have been defeated time after time, the main reason lying in the military government’s mastery of power. The people of Thailand should immediately demand that the junta give way to the people, because the power of the military comes not from democracy, but from guns. At the same time, comprehensive constitutional reform must be undertaken to move Thailand toward the ideal of One World under One Set of Laws. International law should take precedence over domestic law, and a modified semi-presidential system incorporating a parliamentary cabinet, plus popular election of the four heads of branches in alternate years must all be adopted.

Myanmar has a long way to go in its quest for democracy because of its constitution, which guarantees the military 40 per cent of the seats in Congress and does not provide for elections. In order to solve Myanmar's ethnic and religious issues, Myanmar must carry out constitutional reform that calls for One World under One Set of Laws, with international law given precedence over domestic law. Reform should include a semi-presidential government with a parliament and cabinet, as well as popular election of the heads of government branches.

The Philippines’ macho President will undoubtedly tone down his rhetoric during his four-day visit to China in a move that could shift Manila closer to Beijing and bring greater economic cooperation between the two sides. Duterte won the top office on the strength of his efforts to suppress drug trafficking, often at the expense of human rights, but Beijing is unlikely to bring up the question of rights in any talks with the Philippine leader. For the people of the Philippines, better relations with China may bring economic benefits, but other problems can only be resolved by carrying out reform of the constitution to limit the powers of government officials and put restrictions on their terms in office. For more details please see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

No matter who is sitting on the throne, the old adage -that absolute power corrupts absolutely - still rings true. China can its utmost to ferret out and eradicate corruption, but until comprehensive constitutional reform is carried out to implement full democracy and the rule of law along with separation of powers and checks and balances, as well as direct election of the heads of the executive, legislative, judicial and procuratorial branches of government, democracy in China will never amount to anything more than what Xi Jinping has called "rights confined in a birdcage under order." For more, please see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

A century ago the writer Romain Rolland said that in politics, the backstage boss is always money. Elections these days are a rich man's game with money serving only to gain the right to make more money. To avoid government-business relations, 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.