Proposition One

PROPOSITION ONE IS INTERNATIONAL

Obviously, only global elimination of nuclear weapons can end the nuclear threat. Recent developments in the United Nations, the July '96 World Court decision that the threat or use of nuclear weapons is illegal, recent messages from retired military leaders and politicians representing major nuclear powers, all hint that this idea is catching on.

In 1994 the Japan Peace Committee invited a Proposition One representative to speak at a conference of 1,500 peace activists. The Japanese found DC Initiative 37 and the resulting bill an encouraging sign in the nation's capital. Of course, Congress seems to have little but contempt for the opinions of the citizens of Washington DC, but there are hundreds of thousands of signatures on the Proposition One petition from people from all over the country and the world. Clearly the idea's time has come..

In 1990 and 1991 volunteers journeyed to Moscow to present Proposition One to the people of the then-Soviet Union. Their reception by press and public was remarkable. They met with seven deputies of the Supreme Soviet, who signed Proposition One and promised to circulate it among their colleagues. When they circulated a Russian-language petition in the streets, Muscovites lined up to sign at the rate of 200 per hour. Grassroots political groups helped to spread the idea.

Of course, the Soviet Union no longer exists (hard evidence that evil empires are only political fictions -- they may seem monolithic, but once enough people cease to believe in the idea, it ceases to exist). But a world in turmoil proves violence is still a regrettable reality.

The threat posed by weapons of mass destruction is increasing. The ex-Soviet arsenals still exist, and each day brings a new story about how ill-controlled they are, that former Soviet technology is aggressively sought in the unstable "Third World."

One-sixth of the world's war budget would feed, clothe, house, educate, and give medicine to every person in the world. It's time for the leading powers to be wise leaders to use those resources wisely and bring peace on earth.

Economic Conversion Next Section

Is It Practical? Previous Page

Proposition One Home Page