68% (5.5 billion people) of the world’s population were using the internet in 2024 (see itu.int). So we think, such a “first global democratic referendum” can be organised with relative ease within months (depending on the available budget, etc.) via the World Wide Web and smartphones.
Based on a first rough estimation, the “project” of a “first global democratic referendum” demands about $60-100 Million and should be possible to be carried out within 1 to 3 years.
To actually carry out such a global vote, we see the following 4 phases necessary in advance (see graph):
(1) Science explains
Science gives insights to the question raised within such a global referendum and develops different scenarios based on the voting question. Science can calculate the variety of impacts and publishes the possible results (e.g. “IPCC – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change“, “WMO – World Meteorological Organization“).
(2) The United Nations (UN) develop a global secure voting system
We see the United Nations (UN) as the institution to coordinate the development and actually carry out global referendums. To do this convenient and secure, a digital (app supported) voting system has to be develop. The technology is already used in several countries.
To boost the technology and to reach a maximum global availability, this should be done in collaboration with the global tech-corporations like Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, Baidu, Yandex, etc.
(3) Media enables the people
Plural discussions are most important within democratic decision making. Nationalism is raising because democracy is not felt any more.
A global vote on whatever topic will produce a broad and global discussion about this topic. Media has to support this with independent and critical journalism based on (non-commercialised) scientific insights to actually enable the people to build up their opinion and make a prudent voting possible.
(4) Politics involves & mobilises the people
We have the mass-voting technology. Democracy means, every person one vote, no matter what income, what religion, what gender, etc. Global direct democracy will add to this: no matter what nationality.
Politics has the task to support the global vote with
- developing clear action scenarios.
- plural debates between the political parties about different policies and solution approaches for the raised question, so people can decide with a profound understanding of the impacts of their vote.
- carrying out the voters decision and bring it into action.
- estimated time to “go live”: 8-16 months (depending on available resources)
- needed investment: $60-100 million (depending on variety of voting options & regions)
- potential impact: $500,000-7,000,000 million p.a. (approximately 1-12 years speed up of transformation to 80% reduction of GHG emissions)