The US presidential election is ample evidence that the US version of democracy is not perfect. People are lazy, and they pin their hopes on leaders. But this is a remnant of 18th century feudal ideology, not the spirit of the rule of law in the 21st century. The only way to assure long-term stability is through comprehensive constitutional reform so that a great system will push leaders to be great. The prerequisite for clean government is free speech and media access without charge in election campaigns.

Taiwan’s judicial system is often criticized for its unfair application of the rules in decisions handed down by judges. The branch’s investigative arms are also condemned for their habit of carrying out investigations at different speeds according to the political ‘color’ and status of persons involved. All of these problems can be addressed by forcing the heads of governmental branches to face the people through elections and limiting the terms of office to minimize the opportunities for corruption. The people must have the power to monitor government officials and vote poor performers out of office. See the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development for more.

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 people have the right to call for a referendum at any time on any public issue with relation to self-determination. Any measure which might restrict the ability of the people to self-determination through the process of holding referendums should itself be subject to a public referendum on whether the measure should be outlawed. For details, see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

The money laundering scandal surrounding Mega Bank is causing serious damage to the reputation of Taiwan’s government and financial industry, and action must be taken to close the loopholes that allowed officials of the bank to transfer huge amounts of funds overseas. Those who carried out this breach of finance rules and regulations must be brought to justice, and the government must ensure that the people can have confidence in the nation’s banking system and the officials who oversee its operations. Reform is needed to allow citizens to monitor the actions of officials and oust those who break the law.

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.

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.