I have a modest proposal to promote the well-being of humankind in this age when we seem to be hard-pressed to contemplate any clear attempts at doing so, however, my intent is less of tongue in cheek than that classic essay in Swiftian terms, although it might strike some as equally preposterous or radical.

I propose, simply, that to end war and tyranny the leaders of nations must be held criminally responsible. Leaders of nations allow or cause violations of human rights, incite the people to ethnic cleansing and declare wars, or they can be powerful, humane influences. Because they are leaders of nations, we seem to treat even the most horrible of tyrants with a respect that no criminally inclined human being should be accorded. Is this because we respect the role and position rather than the person? If this is so, then our values are warped, because a criminal leader violates any position of trust and respect and must not be tolerated.

As for those leaders of nations declaring war, we should not support the silly contention that they alone should fight, but that the object of war be capturing or killing the leaders. Those leaders who are deemed to have violated human rights in the international court of opinion should consider their lives forfeit and could be terminated with extreme prejudice. Anyone who might capture or assassinate such a leader would be a hero. This alone would save untold numbers of human lives and preserve property. No longer would armies need to fight and inflict mass destruction on each other and innocent civilians. Armies could be reduced to tiny, covert attack units, thus reducing inordinately large military budgets.

Furthermore, I propose setting up an international organization, not under any government's control, dedicated to ridding the world of tyrants. It could use as its name the latin phrase "Sic semper tyrannus" - "So it is with tyrants", although that has an unfortunate role in American history, as a model, thus redeeming its rightful place in the history of justice. This organization might offer awards and protection to those individuals who bring tyrants to justice. The organization should not itself take action, but gather data about rights violations and encourage the citizens of the afflicted nation to take the appropriate actions.