Much of current international relations is conducted in a spirit of competition, on the principle that what one party gains another loses. To some extent this is inevitable, but if nations cannot co-operate over key issues such as global warming, use of water resources, the stability of the international financial system etc., civilisation will not survive. In spite of ever more dire warnings progress has been very limited.

An interesting concept aimed at facilitating international co-operation is the Simultaneous Policy (SP) http://www.simpol.org/or http://www.simpol.org.uk/. The Simultaneous Policy is described on the website as follows:

"Simpol promotes the Simultaneous Policy (SP), which aims to deliver social justice around the world, resolve global problems like environmental destruction and regulate the economic power of international capital for the good of all. Simpol seeks solutions to problems that individual national governments cannot resolve by acting alone. This is because the problems transcend national boundaries, and because the global competitive system means that any government that acted alone to try and resolve such problems could effectively make its country uncompetitive.

Simpol aims to achieve these objectives by encouraging ordinary people around the world to oblige their political representatives and governments to move toward co-ordinated international resolution of global issues for the good of all. This is because it is only by countries all agreeing to implement changes at the same time that problems no individual government dares tackle alone can be resolved in a satisfactory way. Simultaneous implementation of such policies would ensure that no country became uncompetitive as a result of pursuing policies that were right for the planet and which embodied people's higher aspirations.

All you need to do is sign up as a Simultaneous Policy Adopter which costs you nothing. By so doing you agree in principle to vote at national elections for any candidate, within reason, who has signed a pledge to implement the Simultaneous Policy alongside other governments. Alternatively, if you have a party preference, your Adoption signifies you will encourage your preferred party to make this pledge. This is the simple mechanism Adopters use to advance their cause.

Simpol's approach is peaceful, open, and democratic. If you Adopt you will have the opportunity to contribute to the formation of specific policies that answer global problems and join with others in using your vote in a new and effective way to drive the politicians of all parties to implement these policies..."

This introduction cannot do justice to the concept. You need to visit the site. Two points are worth making:

• Adopters working through the Simultaneous Policy Organisation define the policies. There is an elaborate and democratic process for doing this in which experts are consulted. MPs and parliamentary candidates who Adopt SP are supposed to support the policies so developed. This makes each National Simultaneous Policy Organisation into a government in waiting. Politicians are not going to give power away like that. They will want to "own" the policies and the process.
• It is very easy for an MP or candidate to Adopt SP, but not to deliver on their commitment. This is because they dont have to deliver until the magic moment of implementation.

We think the idea needs a little modification before it really takes off.

(The International Simultaneous Policy Organisation is invited to submit a rebuttal which will be included here.)