Global Country of World Peace#Currency

According to a report from Bloomberg, the GCWP's tax filings describe its mission as the creation of world peace 'by unifying all nations in happiness prosperity, invincibility, and perfect health'.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aEv16urU3344 |publisher=Bloomberg.com |date=December 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026082611/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aEv16urU3344 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |title=Wall Street Meditation Group Cuts Landmark Building Price 33% |first=Oshrat |last=Carmiel |url-status=dead }} The mission of the US-based division of the GCWP, according to a 2005 article, is to promote "enlightenment, good health, and peace through the practice of Transcendental Meditation" and to build palaces of peace in 3000 of the world's major cities.

File:Raam currency.JPG

Raam is a bearer bond and local currency issued by the Global Country of World Peace.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/business/2730121.stm|work=BBC|title=Dutch give nod to 'guru currency'|date=February 5, 2003|first=Danielle|last=Rossingh|access-date=15 September 2007|archive-date=23 February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060223182622/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/business/2730121.stm|url-status=live}} It was designed for the development of agricultural projects and to combat poverty in third world countries. As of 2003, it had limited acceptance in some European and U.S. cities. The currency has been used in Iowa and has been also given approval in The Netherlands where more than 100 Dutch shops, department store chains, in 30 villages and cities, are using the notes at a fixed rate of 10 euros per raam.

The Raam is issued in denominations of 1, 5 and 10 Raam, with one Raam equal to 10 Euros in Europe, and one Raam equal to 10 dollars in the U.S. Raam notes are printed by Joh. Enschedé. In 2002, Maharishi Vedic City Mayor Bob Wynne estimated that there was $40,000 worth of Raam in circulation.Graham, Chad, "Maharishi's town puts its own mark on money", Seattle Times (September 15, 2002) The Raam differs from other complementary currencies because its focus is on the export of products rather than improving local circulation to benefit the lives of local people.{{Cite web |url=http://www.appropriate-economics.org/materials/raam.html |title="Raam development currency" Appropriate Economics web site |access-date=20 February 2014 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923172714/http://www.appropriate-economics.org/materials/raam.html |url-status=live }} According to the Minister of Finance for the Global Country of World Peace, the Raam "could be used" for agricultural projects in developing nations.{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2002/0708/054.html |title=Helman, Christopher, "Queer as a 3-Raam bill", Forbes (July 8, 2002) |access-date=22 August 2017 |archive-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729205052/https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2002/0708/054.html |url-status=live }} CATO Institute currency expert James Dorn expressed doubt about the viability of the plan, suggesting that other economic approaches would be a better way to establish a network of collective farms. According to the issuer, the Raam is also a bearer bond that earns a total of 3% interest after five years (0.6% simple interest annually).[http://www.maharishiglobalfinancing.org/PDF/Prospectus%20Nov14%202006.pdf SMGFT Prospectus] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006032143/http://maharishiglobalfinancing.org/PDF/Prospectus%20Nov14%202006.pdf |date=2013-10-06 }}

The Raam was used, as of 2003, alongside Euros in accordance with Dutch law in more than 100 shops in the Netherlands. The Raam was convertible in the Netherlands at the Fortis Bank in Roermond. As of 2003, the Dutch Central Bank estimated that there were approximately 100,000 Raam notes in circulation. It also had limited acceptance in the Iowan cities called Maharishi Vedic City and Fairfield."Fairfield bank stops handling Raam", Iowa City Gazette(Associated Press) (March 28, 2002) p. 6[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aT8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ItAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5847,5883712&dq=raam+currency&hl=en "Yogi's town prints its own money"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119173302/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aT8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ItAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5847,5883712&dq=raam+currency&hl=en |date=19 January 2016 }}, Spartanburg Herald-Journal (Associated Press) (April 30, 2002) p.A-5 According to Maharishi Global Financing, agreements were made in 2004 with a farmers' association in South America and with traditional leaders in Africa to start using the Raam for agricultural development projects.

File:20130723 MERU (Maharishi European Research University) in Vlodrop Holland - CC BY-NC-ND 1000x368.jpg.]]

Maharishi Vedic City is the "Capital of the Global Country for World Peace."{{cite news|title=Wasting away in Maharishi-ville|first=Brian |last=Hutchinson|work=National Post|location=Don Mills, Ont.|date=February 22, 2003|page=B.1}}

File:Global Country headquarters.JPG

The city's plan and building code follow principles of Vedic architecture.{{cite journal|url=http://www.americanwaymag.com/maharishi-university-of-management-college-of-vedic-medicine-mahesh-yogi-fairfield |title=Home and Peace |journal=American Way |first=William |last=Kissel |date=2005-07-15 |access-date=2009-11-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905155324/http://www.americanwaymag.com/maharishi-university-of-management-college-of-vedic-medicine-mahesh-yogi-fairfield |archive-date=2009-09-05 }} Architecture professor Keller Easterling says that Maharishi Vedic City reflects the GCWP's interest in achieving a "benign form of global sovereignty".{{Cite book| publisher = The MIT Press| isbn = 978-0-262-55065-9| last = Easterling| first = Keller|author-link=Keller Easterling|title = Enduring Innocence: Global Architecture and Its Political Masquerades| date = 2007-10-31}}

From 2004 to 2010 the GCWP owned the American Bank Note Company Building in New York City, USA which it called The Financial Capital of the GCWP. It was intended to be an administrative center for a project to raise funds for 3,000 peace palaces,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=aXiUpQyKxGnI&refer=india|publisher=Bloomberg|title=Maharishi Mahesh Yogi|first=Jay|last=Shankar|date=2008-02-06|access-date=2010-08-15|archive-date=20 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720040637/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=aXiUpQyKxGnI&refer=india|url-status=live}} and hospitals, organic farms, and clinics in developing countries, but over time, its primary use was as a Transcendental Meditation center. When the building became a financial burden it was sold in 2010 and the organization's $5.5 million profit were earmarked for a new Manhattan teaching center and other programs.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703581204576033870408868138?mod=googlenews_wsj |title=The Wall Street Journal, Josh Barbanel, December 21, 2010 |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-date=25 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825102940/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703581204576033870408868138?mod=googlenews_wsj |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2010/12/22/fidis_craziest_almostmansion_sells_wont_be_a_mansion.php |title=FiDi's Craziest Almost Mansion, Sara Polsky, December 22, 2010 |access-date=17 January 2011 |archive-date=25 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725124938/http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2010/12/22/fidis_craziest_almostmansion_sells_wont_be_a_mansion.php |url-status=live }}The New York Observer, Would-Be Wall Street Mansion Sold, Matt Chaban, Dec 22 2010

The "US Peace Government" has announced plans to build a national capital near Smith Center, Kansas in Washington Township, Smith County{{citation needed|date=June 2014}}. A ceremony was held March 28, 2006.{{cite news|title=Landowners give 'Peace' a chance|work=The Salina Journal|location=Salina, Kansas|date=March 30, 2006|page=A3}} Over {{convert|1000|acre|km2}} were eventually purchased.{{cite news|title=Maharishi meets the Bible Belt ; But not everyone in Kansas town blissful over plans to create 'World Capital of Peace'|first=Judy|last=Keen|work=USA TODAY|date=May 23, 2006|page=A.3}} Plans called for the construction of 12 to 15 buildings, including Peace Palaces and a broadcast center, at an estimated cost of up to $15 million.{{cite news|title=Smith County warned about peace group|work=The Salina Journal|date=April 28, 2006|page=A1}} The plans divided the community. Nine pastors wrote to the local newspaper with concerns about the souls of area residents while the Chamber of Commerce looked forward to the creation of new jobs. The county planning commission placed a moratorium on any changes in land use in an effort to prevent the use of agricultural land for the capital, but they withdrew it after the movement threatened to sue in federal court.{{cite news|title=Peace Palace receives go-ahead|first=ART|last=HOVEY|work=Lincoln Journal Star|location=Lincoln, Nebraska|date=February 22, 2007|page=1}} In April 2009, a spokesman announced that two Peace Palaces were nearing completion.{{cite news|title=World-Herald Exclusive; If you lived here, you'd be om now|first=Paul|last=Hammel|work=Omaha World – Herald|date=April 27, 2009|page=B.1}}

In 2009 the GCWP opened the West Virginia Retreat Center in Three Churches, West Virginia, USA. The male-only facility is used for weekend retreats as well as residences for those who want to spend years living a simpler life involving meditation. As of 2012, the center consisted of 10 buildings with 90 male residents plus various staff.{{Cite web |url=http://times-news.com/local/x1277744915/Meditation-retreat-locating-in-Hampshire-County |title=NEWMAN, EMILY (June 22, 2011). “Meditation retreat locating in Hampshire County.” Cumberland Times-News. |access-date=24 June 2011 |archive-date=26 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110626085308/http://times-news.com/local/x1277744915/Meditation-retreat-locating-in-Hampshire-County |url-status=live }}Pisciotta, Marla, (Sept 12, 2012) Three buildings added to retreat, Hampshire Review, Larger plans include the development of the {{convert|175|acre|km2}}, purchased at a cost of $750,000 into an "environmentally friendly retreat" that will include 150 to 200 rooms for professional and amateur meditators, according to the project director, Raja Bob LoPinto.{{cite news|title=Meditation Retreat Planned for Hampshire County |date=January 1, 2009 |first=Marla |last=Pisciotta |work=State Journal |url=http://statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=49132&catid=283&printview=1 |quote="By the end of 2009, a private, environmentally friendly retreat costing between $10 million and $15 million will be constructed in the Three Churches area of Hampshire County. Global Country of World Peace has purchased two parcels totaling 170 acres for $750,000, according to Raja Bob LoPinto, regional director of the project.'It's going to be a very nice retreat. Between 150- to 200-room retreat mainly for professional (transcendental) meditators,' LoPinto said". |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716133109/http://statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=49132&catid=283&printview=1 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}

File:Peace Palace Fairfield, IA.JPG]]

{{main|Maharishi Peace Palace}}

In 2008, the Global Country of World Peace undertook the construction of "Peace Palaces" in major US cities, which would teach courses in the Transcendental Meditation technique and offer ayurvedic spa treatments and herbal food supplements. The buildings, being built according to Vedic guidelines{{citation needed|date=June 2014}}, were planned to be two-story, white, buildings of about 10,000 to {{convert|12000|sqft|m2}} and are intended to be replacements for rented spaces being used in "more than 200 locations" across the U.S.A. Their appearance has been described as an "Indian temple crossed with a Southern plantation mansion" and is intended to be a "visual brand" for the organization.[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/world/americas/22iht-yogi.1.10301330.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701083445/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/world/americas/22iht-yogi.1.10301330.html |date=1 July 2017 }} NY Times, Building the Maharishi Effect, Sean D. Hamill, Dec 2 2008

Peace Palaces have been completed in the U.S. cities of Bethesda, Maryland, Houston and Austin, Texas, Fairfield, Iowa, St. Paul, Minnesota and Lexington, Kentucky.St. Paul Pioneer Press, Eastside Meditation Center, May 2, 2009{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/magazine/08wwln_essay.html?_r=2&oref=slogin|work=The New York Times|title=Outer Peace|first=Lily|last=Koppel|date=October 8, 2006|page=24|access-date=21 February 2017|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701082757/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/magazine/08wwln_essay.html?_r=2&oref=slogin|url-status=live}} Three of the existing Peace Palaces were built by private individuals. Land has been purchased in 52 locations around the US and others are being built around the world.{{cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05339/617369.stm|title=Maharishi plans four peace palaces for TM activities|date=December 5, 2005|first=Steve|last=Levin|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=15 September 2007|archive-date=19 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719092121/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05339/617369.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-nupeacepalace_22met.ART.North.Edition1.3e67f68.html|title=Guru wants to build Peace Palace|date=November 22, 2006|first=JEFF|last=MOSIER|work=The Dallas Morning News|access-date=15 September 2007|archive-date=8 December 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071208004938/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-nupeacepalace_22met.ART.North.Edition1.3e67f68.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/the-lotus-position-on-world-peace-467927.html|work=Irish Independent|title=Lotus Position on World Peace|first=Donal|last=Lynch|date=May 15, 2005|access-date=15 September 2007|archive-date=28 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228234412/http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/the-lotus-position-on-world-peace-467927.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/02/business/worldbusiness/02maharishi.html?_r=1&ref=maharishimaheshyogi |title=New York Times, Maharishi's Minions Come to Wall Street, Maria Aspan, July 2007 |access-date=21 February 2017 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017004829/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/02/business/worldbusiness/02maharishi.html?_r=1&ref=maharishimaheshyogi |url-status=live }}

According to officials of the organization, zoning and related issues have slowed their progress in building in at least 18 other cities where land has been purchased. In 2007 the "Maharishi’s organization" took legal action against the city of Mayfield Heights, Ohio, because the city refused a setback variance for a proposed Peace Palace. Although "admired for its finances" some critics call the project a way for the "Maharishi's followers" to create funds for more land for the group's treasury.

In 2005, the Global Country bought an 800-plus acres farm in Goshen, New York, USA for $4 million in cash, with plans to create an organic farm training site, as well as a Peace Palace. According to broker Steve Perfit, the {{convert|818|acre|km2}} were put up for sale in April 2009.{{cite news|title=Global Country of World Peace farm in Goshen up for sale|work=Times Herald-Record|date=May 30, 2009|url=http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090530/NEWS/905300331/-1/NEWS|first=John|last=Sullivan|access-date=13 July 2010|archive-date=16 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616193414/http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090530/NEWS/905300331/-1/NEWS|url-status=live}}

Also in 2005, Global Country of World Peace purchased the {{convert|27|acre|m2|adj=on}} Prairie Peace Park in Pleasant Dale, Nebraska. GCWP had planned to build a {{convert|12000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} "peace palace" on the site. An article in August 2010 in the Journal Star reported that the property was for sale for $95,000.{{cite news|title=Epilogue: Prairie Peace Park is facing its end|work=Lincoln Journal Star|date=August 23, 2010|first=ALGIS J |last=LAUKAITIS}}

In 2006, the Global Country purchased Inishraher,{{cite web|title=Aerial photograph |publisher=Mayo Co Co Planning Online |url=http://137.191.225.163:8080/mayo_gplan/default.aspx?fn=09413 |access-date=August 4, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703035558/http://137.191.225.163:8080/mayo_gplan/default.aspx?fn=09413 |archive-date=July 3, 2011 }} a {{convert|30|acre|m2|adj=on}} island in Clew Bay off the coast of Ireland with the intention of founding an International Peace Centre, and of designating it as a Maharishi Capital of the Global Country of World Peace.{{cite news|work=Western People |date=June 1, 2005 |title=Meditation group buys island off Irish coast |url=http://www.westernpeople.ie/news/story/?trs=cwojgbkfql |first=Marian |last=Harrison |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119031054/http://www.westernpeople.ie/news/story/?trs=cwojgbkfql |archive-date=January 19, 2008 }} Planning permission for two 18-room hostels on the island was approved on 22 July 2009.{{cite web|title=Planning Application: 09413|publisher=Mayo County Council|url=http://www.mayococo.ie/PlanSearch/mcc4/PlanningViewer/displayafile.asp?la=1&filenum=09413|access-date=September 14, 2010|archive-date=20 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720000218/http://www.mayococo.ie/PlanSearch/mcc4/PlanningViewer/displayafile.asp?la=1&filenum=09413|url-status=dead}}

File:Mariana Islands - Rota.PNG ]]

In 2001, it was reported that the Global Country of World Peace had been unsuccessful in its attempts to establish a sovereign nation after contacting countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Maharishi University seeks sovereign state in South America|newspaper=Cedar Rapids Gazette|date=June 7, 2001}}{{cite news|title=Yogi's disciples want to create new utopia|first=Jan|last=McGirk|work=The Independent|location=London (UK)|date=June 8, 2001|page=17}} In November 2000, the GCWP made a proposal to the President of Suriname, offering $1.3 billion over three years for a 200-year lease of {{convert|3500|acre|km2}} of rural land plus "1 percent of the money the sovereign state's central bank puts into circulation" and the creation of 10,000 jobs.{{cite news|url=https://groups.google.com/group/sci.skeptic/msg/4594b0112d43d380|title=Mystic's followers want own country|date=June 6, 2001|work=CNN|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=8 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108091810/http://groups.google.com/group/sci.skeptic/msg/4594b0112d43d380|url-status=live}} The UNHCR reported that, in July 2001, the island nation of Tuvalu rejected, after serious consideration, a proposal from the GCWP to create a "Vatican like sovereign city-state" near the international airport in exchange for a payment of $2 million per year.{{cite news|title=Freedom in the World – Tuvalu (2002) |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,TUV,45b632e02,473c53fbc,0.html |date=18 December 2001 |access-date=January 11, 2010 |publisher=UNHCR |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010080230/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country%2C%2C%2C%2CTUV%2C45b632e02%2C473c53fbc%2C0.html |archive-date=10 October 2012 }}

In 2002, the GCWP asked if they could set up their world headquarters on one hundred acres of land on the {{convert|33|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} island of Rota which is part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a commonwealth of the United States. The GCWP offered to contribute to economic growth of the country but Rota declined, preferring to remain part of the Commonwealth.{{cite news|url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Apr/13/op/op02a.html|title=Rota islanders make the right decision|date=April 13, 2002|work=Honolulu Advertiser|access-date=24 January 2010|archive-date=26 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826024919/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Apr/13/op/op02a.html|url-status=live}}Note: this article appeared in the opinion section of the newspaper In Costa Rica, officials of the GCWP "allegedly offered each family" on the Talamanca reservation, $250 per month for the right to appoint a king. A ceremony was held on the Talamanca reservation to appoint a local Indian as king of the community.{{cite news|url=http://www.lafogata.org/02latino/6latinoamerica/indigenas.htm|title=Costa Rica: Secta divide a indígenas|date=July 24, 2002|work=La Fogata|language=es|access-date=24 January 2010|archive-date=27 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727013442/http://www.lafogata.org/02latino/6latinoamerica/indigenas.htm|url-status=live}} Perceiving the GCWP's actions as efforts to establish an independent state the Security Minister ordered the GCWP representative to leave the country.{{cite news|url=https://groups.google.com/group/alt.meditation.transcendental/msg/ac69445750efc3a2|work=AP World Politics|date=July 18, 2002|title=Costa Rica expels foreigners for naming king of remote Indian reservation|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=7 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607223458/http://groups.google.com/group/alt.meditation.transcendental/msg/ac69445750efc3a2|url-status=live}}

File:Tony Nader as Raja Ram.JPG in ceremonial attire]]

Regional leaders{{cite book | title=The Religious Melting Point: On Tolerance, Controversial Religions and The State | publisher=Tectum Verlag | author=Gablinger, Tamar | year=2010 | location=Germany | pages=100–101}} and 'leading Transcendental Meditators "trained as TM teachers and graduates of the TM-Sidhi program{{Cite book| publisher = Transaction Publishers| isbn = 978-0-7658-0478-5| last = Dawson| first = Lorne L.| title = Cults in context: readings in the study of new religious movements| date = August 30, 1998|page=55|quote=Leading Transcendental Meditators, called 'Governors of the Age of Enlightenment', are despatched in large numbers to areas in civil crisis.}} are called "Governors of the Age of Enlightenment".{{Cite book|last=Williamson|first=Lola |title=Transcendent in America:Hindu-Inspired Meditation Movements as New Religion |url=https://archive.org/details/transcendentamer00will|url-access=limited|publisher=NYU Press|year=2010|isbn=978-0-8147-9450-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/transcendentamer00will/page/n110 96]}} Tony Nader was appointed by the Maharishi as the "First Sovereign Ruler of the Global Country of World Peace" in 2000.{{cite news|title=Forget the F-16s, Israel needs more Yogic Flyers to beat Hizbullah. 30-strong TM group, sole guests at Nof Ginnosar Hotel, say they need another 235 colleagues to make the country safe |first=AMIR |last=MIZROCH |work=Jerusalem Post |date=July 23, 2006 |page=04 |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1153291974316&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713123549/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1153291974316&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }}{{cite news|title='Peace palace' project launched by Maharishi's followers|first=MARK|last=ABLEY|work=The Gazette|location=Montreal, Que.|date=May 2, 2003|page=A.6}}

Some "national leaders" and "top officials" of the Global Country of World Peace are called Rajas.{{cite news|title=Maharishi's ashes immersed in Sangam|work=Hindustan Times|location=New Delhi|date=February 12, 2008}} In 2005, 22 male Rajas were appointed by the Maharishi as national and regional leaders of his organization. His Raja training course took about two months and the participants were "advised to make a contribution of $1,000,000 to the Maharishi World Peace Fund."{{cite news|title=Meditation centers planned for Twin Cities|first=Matt |last=Peiken|work=Knight Ridder Tribune Business News|date=November 13, 2005 |page=1}} Ceremonial attire for the Maharaja and the rajas includes white silk robes, gold medallions, and gold crowns.{{Cite news|title=20,000 followers throng Allahabad for Mahesh Yogi's funeral|work=Hindustan Times|date=February 11, 2008}}{{Cite news|title=Maharishi's ashes immersed in Sangam|work=Hindustan Times|location=New Delhi|date=February 12, 2008}} In 2008, Nader attended the Maharishi's funeral in India{{cite news|title=Thousands throng Ashram to pay tributes to Mahesh Yogi|work=Hindustan Times|location=New Delhi|date=February 9, 2008}} and adopted the title, "Maharaja Adhiraj Rajaraam".{{cite news|title=Maharishi Mahesh Yogi|first=MIKE|last=CORDER|work=The Herald|location=Glasgow (UK)|date=February 7, 2008|page=21}} Since then the organization has also been administrated by the "high-functioning intellectual elite in its upper echelons," such as Bevan Morris, Maureen Wynne, and Willy Koppel,{{cite web|title=Global Country of World Peace|publisher=Vermont Business Directory|url=http://vtpages.us/b.php?id=75811#axzz3hrGAqM30|access-date=August 13, 2015|archive-date=19 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119173301/http://vtpages.us/b.php?id=75811#axzz3hrGAqM30|url-status=live}} while retaining Nader as the central leader.

The GCWP, according to its website, has a “ministry” consisting of ministers split into twelve departments: Law and Order, Education, Health, Architecture, Trade and Commerce, Defence, Science and Technology, Communication, Religion and Culture, Administration, and Finance and Planning.{{Cite web|title=Ministries {{!}} Global Country of World Peace|url=https://www.globalcountry.org/wp/ministries-2/|access-date=2021-08-07|language=en-US|archive-date=7 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807021659/https://www.globalcountry.org/wp/ministries-2/|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://globalcountry.org/ Official Web Site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021195511/http://globalcountry.org/ |date=21 October 2012 }}
• [http://www.uspeacegovernment.org/ US Peace Government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415122924/http://www.uspeacegovernment.org/ |date=15 April 2011 }}

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