Global Governance: political and economic Flashcards
Which two countries membership of the P5 is frequently debated?
UK and France
Why do Britain and France have UNSC permanent membership?
Have nuclear weapons
Had power at the end of WW2
High-profile roles in international diplomacy.
Name four countries which have been called to be included as UNSC permanent members.
Brazil
Germany
India
Japan
Name two continents not permanently represented in the UNSC.
South America
Africa
What are two countries in Africa people are calling to be UNSC permanent members?
South Africa
Nigeria
What would changes to the UNSC require?
Amendments to the UN Charter and this would require a 2/3 majority of the UNGA.
This would also require none of the current P5 members voting against this.
In terms of adding new countries to the security council, name two countries who would possibly oppose each other.
Pakistan would be likely to oppose a permanent membership for India.
What are four options for reform for the UNSC?
- Adding new permanent members with veto power
- Adding new permanent members without veto power
- Removing veto power from some or all of the permanent members
- Increasing the number of non-permanent members or having them serve longer terms.
When did the UNSC previously reform?
In 1965 the number of permanent members increased from 6 to 10.
Why should the UNSC reform?
- France and UK are no longer significant global powers
- Represents 1945 not 21st century
- It has already been successfully reformed in 1965
- More non-permanent or permanent members without veto powers could be a compromise which could allow for greater representation without giving new states too much power.
Why shouldn’t the UNSC reform?
- Current permanent members are likely to be a significant obstacle to reform
- Agreeing to new members would likely involve a lot of disagreement
- More states having veto power could further increase the likelihood of resolutions being vetoes and the UNSC being unable to act
- Measures such as abolishing the veto altogether could see the UN returning to the problems of the League of Nations where the majority of powers withdrew because they had no facility to defend their national interests.
Who do China and Russia usually veto for?
Syria and have vetoed many decisions involving the Syrian Civil War with the most recent being when China vetoed in July 2020.
Name an example of a UNSC failure.
Rwandan genocide in 1994.
How many died in the 1994 Rwandan mass genocide?
Approximately 662000 Tutsis.
What is NATO?
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
