The Young World Federalists (YWF) celebrate the Syrian people’s liberation from one of the most oppressive regimes in modern history. This monumental achievement marks a new chapter filled with potential for freedom, prosperity, and justice for all Syrians. YWF will continue to monitor Syria’s rebuilding process, hoping for the establishment of inclusive institutions, the cessation of weapons smuggling, and a future where every ethnic community can thrive.
However, the global conversation surrounding this event has revealed troubling narratives that deserve attention. In this statement, we challenge those perspectives and advocate for a world order that prioritises universal human rights and federalism.
Challenging the Denial of Agency
A harmful narrative persists in global discourse, particularly regarding populations outside Western Europe and North America. It suggests that these populations are mere pawns of external forces, devoid of autonomy or the capacity to shape their destinies.
This denial of agency is not only dehumanising but also dangerous. It frames the struggles of millions as dictated by outside powers, stripping away the dignity and resilience of those fighting for justice. More troublingly, it fosters an ideology of cultural relativism, which argues—explicitly or implicitly—that human rights depend on regional or cultural contexts. This view enables oppressive regimes to claim their cultures are “incompatible” with universal freedoms, prioritising stability over justice and control over dignity.
History has repeatedly shown that freedom is not exclusive to certain regions. The Syrian people have demonstrated immense courage in their fight for liberation, proving that the yearning for justice transcends borders. Until freedom is universal, no one is truly secure.
Understanding the Roots of the Narrative
This denial of agency has roots in several global patterns, including the legacy of poorly executed military interventions and disillusionment with revolutionary outcomes.
Western interventions, often unplanned or in violation of international law, have undermined trust in external efforts to promote democracy. These failures have left power vacuums filled by oppressive forces, fuelling scepticism about the efficacy of intervention and reinforcing isolationist tendencies, especially in the United States.
Additionally, the mixed outcomes of the Arab Spring revolutions have led some to question whether populations in the region can establish free and democratic institutions. This perspective ignores historical precedents, such as France’s iterative struggles from 1789 to 1871, which show that revolutions are often cyclical. A failed revolution is not the end—it is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and try again.
Now, Syria has a chance to begin anew. Even if immediate progress is uncertain, history proves that transformative change is possible with perseverance and vision.
Global Governance & Geopolitics
The failures of the international community also bear responsibility. The inability to implement UN Resolution 2254 highlights systemic shortcomings in global governance. If international institutions cannot adapt to support movements for freedom, they risk irrelevance in the face of modern challenges.
Exacerbating these issues is the dominance of a deterministic, “geopolitical” worldview in international relations. This perspective often reduces global struggles to power plays between nations, ignoring the human dimension of freedom movements. Authoritarian regimes, such as Russia, exploit this reductionist narrative to justify imperialist ambitions.
As the Ventotene Manifesto warned decades ago, the pseudo-science of geopolitics legitimises imperialism by framing it as inevitable. This mindset not only misrepresents global interdependence but also impedes meaningful collaboration on pressing global issues like climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality.
The idea of a stable multipolar world where nations “stay in their place” is not only naïve but also contradicted by history. Isolationism exacerbates instability and perpetuates crises. True progress demands cooperation that transcends national borders.
A Vision for Syria and the World
The Young World Federalists envision a world where governance transcends national borders, embodying humanity’s shared destiny. World federalism—a system of democratic governance at the global level—is essential to permanently abolishing war, ensuring universal human rights, and fostering sustainable development. It is through global citizenship, where individuals see themselves as part of a greater human community, that we can bring about this democratic world federation.
For Syria, the decision to adopt a federal system rests solely with its people. If Syrians choose federalism as their path, it could provide a framework that balances national unity with the autonomy needed to respect and celebrate Syria’s diverse communities. A federal Syria could serve as a powerful example of how inclusive governance fosters peace and cooperation among different groups. However, this choice must be made freely by Syrians, reflecting their aspirations, values, and vision for the future.
Should Syria embrace federalism, YWF sees the potential for it to connect with a broader democratic world federation, working in solidarity with other nations to address shared challenges like climate change, security, and human rights. A federal Syria would then exemplify how nations can integrate local autonomy with global cooperation, contributing to a world that prioritises peace and justice for all.
We call on Syrian civil society and youth to explore these possibilities with the full understanding that the decision is theirs to make. By embracing global citizenship and participating in the broader federalist movement, Syrians have the opportunity to shape not only their own future but also the world’s. Together, we can move towards a global community rooted in equity, democracy, and enduring peace.
Conclusion
The Syrian people have achieved a remarkable milestone, one that deserves celebration and solidarity. But this moment also calls for vigilance. As the world watches Syria rebuild, let us reject the narratives that deny agency and undermine human rights. Let us commit to a future where freedom is not a privilege but a universal guarantee.
Long live a free Syria, and long live the federalist movement!