{"id":15685,"date":"2026-01-23T14:27:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:27:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/modusoperandum.ng\/?p=15685"},"modified":"2026-01-25T14:45:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T14:45:07","slug":"global-survey-finds-citizens-back-a-world-parliament-as-trust-in-the-international-system-erodes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/modusoperandum.ng\/?p=15685","title":{"rendered":"Global Survey Finds Citizens Back a World Parliament as Trust in the International System Erodes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A global survey across 101 countries finds global majority support for a citizen-elected world parliament to handle global issues, reflecting widespread concern over an outdated and undemocratic international order.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BERLIN, 20 January 2026 \u2013 As democracy faces pressure around the world and confidence in international law drops, a new global survey reveals that citizens in a vast majority of countries support the idea of creating a citizen-elected world parliament to deal with global issues. The survey, commissioned by Democracy Without Borders and conducted across 101 countries representing 90% of the world\u2019s population, finds that 40% of respondents support the proposal, while only 27% are opposed. It is the largest poll ever carried out thus far on this subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support is strongest in countries of the Global South, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, and among groups often underrepresented in national political systems\u2014young people, ethnic minorities, and those with lower income or education levels. In 85 out of 101 countries surveyed, more respondents support the idea than oppose it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe message is clear: people around the world are ready to expand democratic representation to the global scale,\u201d said Andreas Bummel, Executive Director of Democracy Without Borders. \u201cThis survey shows there is a growing global constituency that wants a voice in decisions affecting humanity as a whole,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The findings come at a time when the international system is under increasing strain from climate change, war, geopolitical conflicts, authoritarian resurgence, and stalled global cooperation. The results suggest that many citizens\u2014especially in less powerful countries\u2014see a world parliament as a pathway to fairer and more effective global governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In countries with limited political freedoms, support for a world parliament is particularly high. According to Democracy Without Borders, this points to a public perception that global democratic institutions could help advance democracy at home as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A notable 33% of respondents globally selected a neutral stance, suggesting unfamiliarity with the concept. An analysis of the survey results argues that this indicates a wide-open space for public engagement. If the idea gains visibility, support could grow substantially, it says..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe international system created in the last century to prevent war and mass violence is built on the United Nations. But many UN member states do not represent their people. They represent oppressive authoritarian elites who have seized power. The proposed vision of a citizen-elected world parliament could be a vital step in the discussion about building a more democratic global order,\u201d said Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Centre for Civil Liberties in Ukraine awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the survey, net opposition found in individual countries is most concentrated in high-income democracies. \u201cThis is not a rejection of democracy. It is a reminder that privilege may breed complacency, and that those who benefit from existing arrangements may underestimate how urgently they need renewal,\u201d commented George Papandreou, Greek Member of Parliament and former Prime Minister.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Democracy Without Borders, an international civil society organization, advocates for the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly as a step toward a democratic world parliament. The organization says the survey results reinforce the urgency for democratic governments to consider this long-standing proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Key findings<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Survey design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n