How had Britain's overseas policy been influenced by its role in the UN? Flashcards
What did the UN charter provide for?
Maintenance of international peace and security
Peaceful settlement of international disputes
Addressing economic, social, and cultural problems
Promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all
What did Britain play a key role in doing?
Establishing the United Nations
What were the principles of the Charter influenced by?
The democratic values of the Western powers
What did Britain become?
One of the five permanent members of the UNSC with veto powers
Why has membership of the UN had a significant influence on British overseas policy?
British governments need to present their actions as conforming to the principles of the UN
British governments need to obtain UN backing to ensure support for their policies
How has the need to obtain UN backing changed?
It was easier when Western nations dominated the membership
Once the European colonial empires broke up, the majority of nations were from outside Europe
What did Britain find itself criticised as?
Imperialist and in violation of the UN’s commitment to human rights and freedom for people of all races
What times has British policy appeared to lay them open to the charge of imperialism?
Veto was first used during the Suez Crisis when the US and the USSR accused Britain and France of trying to reestablish colonial power
Between 1963 and 1973, Britain vetoed six resolutions on Rhodesia because nations accused Britain of supporting white supremacy
In April 1986 Thatcher and the US vetoed a resolution criticising the bombing of Libya
What did Britain regularly incur and why?
The wrath of states in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia
By voting against resolutions criticising white minority rule in South Africa
What did Britain find hard to escape?
The taint of white imperialism
What was the case in the 1990s?
Many people in the Middle East perceived the UN resolutions, which legalised military action in Iraq, as imperialist
