Global Self-Determination

A nation that values freedom must honor it everywhere. Yet for too long, U.S. foreign policy has been built on intervention, occupation, and economic exploitation—dictating the fate of others while claiming to stand for democracy. True leadership does not come through force, but through respect.

The solution is clear: End military interventions, stop economic coercion, and shift to diplomacy and reparations. Sovereign nations must chart their own course, free from foreign interference masked as aid. Peace is built not by bombs, but by partnership.

This is not isolation—it is integrity. The world does not need another empire. It needs nations that uplift, rather than control. When we respect self-determination, we foster true allies, not resentful subjects.

Action must follow principle. Demand an end to endless wars. Stop arming dictators. Invest in global solidarity, fair trade, and climate justice. Support leaders who prioritize diplomacy over domination.

America must stand for justice, not control. Support global self-determination—because true strength is found in respect, not conquest.

Key Stats

1. Astronomical Military Spending: The U.S. allocates over $700 billion annually to foreign military operations, a sum that far exceeds domestic investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, highlighting a priority on intervention over constructive global partnerships.

2. Widespread Intervention Impact: Since 1990, the U.S. has been involved in military operations or covert interventions in over 50 countries, often destabilizing regions and undermining the self-determination of sovereign nations.

3. Human Cost of Intervention: U.S. foreign military actions have contributed to the displacement of more than 20 million people worldwide and millions of casualties, illustrating the profound human toll of policies that prioritize force over diplomacy.

4. Economic Exploitation and Sanctions: U.S. economic sanctions and coercive policies have, on average, suppressed GDP growth in targeted nations by 2–3% per year, exacerbating poverty and hindering the ability of these countries to chart their own economic paths.

5. Global Perception of Imperialism: Gallup polls reveal that nearly 70% of people in regions affected by U.S. interventions view the United States as an imperial power, underscoring a widespread loss of credibility as a champion of democracy and self-determination.

Our Allies

1. International Peace Bureau (IPB)
   One of the world’s oldest peace organizations, IPB works internationally to promote disarmament, nonviolence, and the end of militarism, aiming to create a framework for peaceful self-determination.

2. War Resisters League (WRL)
   A U.S.-based organization committed to nonviolent resistance, WRL opposes all forms of war and militarism, advocating for policies that honor national self-determination and oppose aggressive state practices.

3. Veterans for Peace
   Comprising military veterans and supporters, Veterans for Peace leverages firsthand experiences to advocate against war, militarism, and occupation while promoting peaceful, just alternatives to conflict.

4. Peace Action
   Operating in the United States, Peace Action mobilizes grassroots activism to challenge militarism and occupation. The organization works to shift policy debates toward nonviolent solutions and respect for self-determination.

5. The Peace Alliance
   This coalition focuses on public policy and grassroots mobilization to advance peace and justice. The Peace Alliance works to reduce military spending, promote demilitarization, and support movements for national self-determination.

10 Steps

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Audit of U.S. Foreign Policy
   Utilize data from the U.S. State Department, the Costs of War project at Brown University, and reports from international organizations like the United Nations to map all U.S. military interventions, economic sanctions, and aid policies over the past 50 years. For instance, studies estimate that U.S. interventions have cost hundreds of billions of dollars and have been linked to regional instability in over 20 countries. This audit will identify specific policies—such as covert operations, prolonged military deployments, or punitive economic measures—that undermine national self-determination, providing a robust, evidence-driven baseline for reform.

2. Build a Multi-Stakeholder Global Coalition
   Assemble a coalition that includes international human rights organizations (e.g., Amnesty International, Global Justice Now), academic institutions, former diplomats, indigenous leadership, and civil society groups from affected regions. Drawing on models from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), convene an inaugural summit with representatives from at least 50 organizations spanning five continents. This united coalition will pool expertise and resources, forming a formidable, global voice calling for a shift from interventionist policies to respectful diplomacy.

3. Develop a Detailed Legislative and Diplomatic Agenda
   Draft a comprehensive policy blueprint that calls for an end to military interventions, the cessation of economic coercion, and a transition to diplomacy and reparative justice. Specific proposals should include halting arms sales to regimes with poor human rights records, establishing reparations programs for countries affected by past interventions, and creating diplomatic frameworks that prioritize multilateral decision-making. Using evidence from think tanks like the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, set measurable benchmarks—such as reducing new military interventions by 50% within five years—to guide policymakers in reforming U.S. foreign policy.

4. Launch a Data-Driven Global Awareness Campaign
   Leverage compelling statistics and personal testimonies to reshape public discourse on U.S. foreign interventions. For example, research indicates that regions heavily impacted by U.S. military action have seen significant declines in political stability and economic growth. Deploy a multi-platform media strategy—including digital storytelling, interactive webinars, and international town hall meetings—with targets like reaching 2 million global impressions and engaging diverse audiences in at least 30 countries. This campaign will translate complex policy debates into relatable narratives of lost sovereignty and potential renewal through self-determination.

5. Implement Targeted Lobbying and Policy Advocacy
   Organize strategic meetings, policy briefings, and public hearings with key U.S. legislators, particularly those on the Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees. Present the legislative agenda alongside hard data—such as economic analyses that show how military spending diverts billions from domestic priorities and diplomatic efforts—and personal testimonies from affected communities abroad. Aim to secure commitments from at least 25 influential policymakers, using evidence that targeted lobbying can shift legislative priorities by as much as 30% over a congressional term.

6. Mobilize Grassroots and Global Civil Society Action
   Coordinate local and international advocacy groups to organize protests, digital campaigns, and petition drives demanding an end to coercive foreign policies. Distribute comprehensive advocacy toolkits—including sample letters, social media graphics, and guidelines for contacting representatives—to empower citizens at home and abroad. Set measurable targets such as increasing grassroots mobilization events by 40% and collecting over 500,000 petition signatures worldwide within 18 months, ensuring that sustained public pressure influences decision-makers.

7. Establish a Legal Framework and Rapid Response Team
   Form a dedicated legal unit comprised of international law experts and human rights attorneys from organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the International Court of Justice. This team will be tasked with challenging unlawful foreign interventions and holding corporations and governments accountable for violating international treaties. With a target response time of 48 hours for emergent cases, historical precedents show that swift legal intervention can lead to landmark rulings, thereby reinforcing global self-determination.

8. Implement Robust Monitoring and Accountability Mechanisms
   Create an independent oversight board composed of former diplomats, international law scholars, and representatives from affected nations. Develop a publicly accessible dashboard—updated quarterly—with key performance indicators such as the number of military interventions, economic sanctions imposed, and progress on reparations and diplomatic engagements. Drawing on models from the Government Accountability Office, these mechanisms will ensure continuous evaluation and timely adjustments to U.S. foreign policy.

9. Engage in Strategic Electoral and Political Participation
   Identify and support political candidates with a strong commitment to non-interventionist, diplomacy-first foreign policies. Organize targeted voter registration drives and issue-focused campaigns in key swing districts and states. Utilize data from organizations such as the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE) to focus efforts on constituencies that favor a reformed, ethical foreign policy—reshaping the political landscape to prioritize global self-determination.

10. Institutionalize Global Self-Determination in Long-Term Policy
    Partner with universities, international organizations, and think tanks to develop standardized training programs and policy manuals on respectful foreign engagement and self-determination. Establish permanent commissions—such as a National Commission on Global Self-Determination—to review and update U.S. foreign policy every two years, ensuring policies adapt to changing geopolitical realities. Commission longitudinal studies to assess the impact of these reforms on international stability, economic growth, and human rights, thereby embedding the principle of self-determination as a permanent pillar of U.S. leadership.