Stories of corruption and undue political influence are flooding news headlines everywhere from the western reaches of Europe to the most Eastern areas of Asia. The reason for these outbreaks of corruption is the concentration of too much power in the hands of a few key officials and a lack to restraints on the powers that they wield. Constitutional reform is urgently needed to return power to the people. For more details, please see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

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. Iraq’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.

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.

President Park Geun-hye of South Korea will face several corruption-related scandals as soon as her term of office is finished. Radical corruption can be solved through comprehensive constitutional reform to implement decentralization and checks and balances in government and choose the heads of government branches through direct elections. The President must stand as the ultimate guarantor of the constitution, a duty which will not end when he or she steps down from office.

In the face of China's pressure, Taiwan has no right to "diplomatic suspensions". The government should vigorously announce to the international community that democratization of China is essential to world security and peace, and Taiwan has the potential to lead China toward democratization. At the same time, it is necessary to invoke the Charter of Permanent Peace and Development and focus on the idea of One World under One Set of Laws, and give international law precedence over domestic law in order to carry out the world-wide agreement advocated by China’s Xi Jinping.

The recent US presidential election has been termed "the ugliest in the history of elections", as voters were left to choose the ‘less worse’ of two rotten apples. But people are generally lazy, and too many pin their hopes on leaders to lead them out of a morass. This is a remnant of thinking from 18th century feudal ideology, not the spirit of the rule of law one hopes to see in the 21st century. Long-term stability calls for comprehensive constitutional reform, so that a great system will push the people to be great. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

Human security and sustainable development are the two major tasks of the UN, which are, of course, subject to compliance by member states. The solution is to enforce "One World under One Set of Laws.” international law must prevail over domestic law and directly affect the people", with supervision by the people to ensure compliance with the UN Charter, the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, the Charter of Nature and others. For details see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

Refugees from Syria and other Mideast nations have been penned in a camp nicknamed The Jungle for months hoping to move on to the UK, where they feel fitting in may be easier than in France. Facing pressure to resolve the crisis, French authorities now say the refugees must either meld into French communities or return to their native country. Neither choice appeals to most of them. As a democratic nation, France must ensure the refugees’ rights are not abused. For more details please see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

Freedom of expression is a universal value. China's practice of "guarding against the people's mouth rather than preventing the floods" is like trying to create a "one world, one voice" society. The Chinese people have only come forward to re-constitution or a comprehensive constitutional reform, so that universal media, prohibition of government oligopoly, monopoly of the media, the Internet and all other communication channels. Details of the "Permanent Peace and Development Charter".

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.