component 3: political global governance

Question 1

united nations

Answer 1

UN formed in 1945 with the main aims set out in the charter: prevent war, support human rights, foster cooperation between states, respect international law.
- all members of UN, no matter how small or big have sovereign equality and have one vote.
- UN secretary general: head of UN and is he main public spokesman, appointed by the general assembly for 5yrs. He is essentially the top civil servant and sets the UN agenda.

Question 2

united nations security council

Answer 2

• 5 permanent members; US, UK, France, China, Russia who have the power to veto. 10 non permanent members elected for 2 year terms by general assembly.
• create binding international laws and are the forum for negotiation and discussion.
  Vetoes were established to:
• to ensure powerful state remained part of UN: of permanent members felt they could not stop decisions ta went against their national interest they might leave.
• to ensure great power unanimity: helps to avoid direct conflict with major powers, no veto could lead to resolutions being passed that would bring major powers into war.

Question 3

councils and bodies of the united nations

Answer 3

• UN assembly: all members sit in, all 193 have one vote. Role; elect non-permanent member of SC, appoint secretary general, approve budget, elect judges to ICJ.
• ECOSOC: economic and social council: responsible for coordinating the economic, social and related work of 15 specialised agencies e.g. WHO, IMF, UNESCO. Agrees and debates specific policies.
• International court of justice: decides disputes submitted to it by states and can give advisory opinions on international legal matters. Mainly deals with disputes over national boundaries. UK brought to ICJ for Chagos islands.

Question 4

north atlantic treaty organisation

Answer 4

NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 NA and european countries formed in 1949, based on a system of collective defence, an attack on one is an attack on all (This has only been used once after 9/11). Formed to combat warsaw pact.
- Strengths: collective security, protection for smaller and weaker states, collective military force which is at a constant state of readiness.
- weaknesses: reliant on US military and economic power, security dilemma suggests NATO increases tensions, people question the need for it after the cold war.