The Foreign Service Journal, September 2006

Incidentally, a variety of other alternative financing schemes has been advanced over the years. The most well-known of these is the “Tobin Tax,” which would fund U.N. activities and other worthy international undertakings through a trivial levy on international cur- rency transactions. Other proposals include similar levies on national defense expenditures, international arms sales or national carbon emissions. Among the most innovative of these is the “International Finance Facility,” a central repository for aid and disaster funds contributed in advance — rather than in panic mode after the fact. Many ideas have also been advanced to provide a voice at the U.N. for more than just the appointed repre- sentatives of national governments. One is to establish a “U.N. Parliamentary Assembly,” where elected represen- tatives from various national legislatures would convene together in an international forum. Even if only advisory, such an assembly could give citizens a more direct voice on the world stage. Such an assembly could lead to the emergence of true transnational political parties — a historic step forward for democratic political participation. Even better might be to create a directly elected “U.N. People’s Assembly.” Here in Los Angeles, we get to pick our rep- resentatives for the city council, the state assembly and state senate in Sacramento, and the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in Washington, D.C. Not, however, beyond that. Why not? After all, a directly- elected transnational legislature already exists: the European Parliament. A woman in Aberdeen, for exam- ple, elects someone to represent her there, in Edinburgh, in London and in Strasbourg. Why can’t all citizens of the F O C U S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 6 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 37 A call for an Article 109 charter review conference could become a powerful mobilizing force in civil society. * per night, single or double occupancy subject to availability Y our search is over, choose a hotel where the federal per diem rate is available year-round. * Luxurious Suites All rooms with full size kitchen & stove tops Fitness center Complimentary in-room coffee Full service restaurant Parking available Across fromMain State White House, The Mall, and Metro Foggy Bottom station (blue & orange lines) within walking distance Accommodations State Plaza Hotel 2117 E. St. NW Washington, DC 20037 Telephone: (800) 424-2859 (202) 861-8200 Parking Available Rated 1 / 2 by AAA www.stateplaza.com E-mail: reservations@stateplaza.com