How has Britain's overseas policy been influenced by its role in the UN?

Question 1

Why did Britain play a key role in establishing the UN in 1945?

Answer 1

-Was one of the ‘Big Three’ victorious powers at the end of the Second World War.

Question 2

What were the key principles of the UN charter?

Answer 2

-Along with China, USSR and USA, British diplomats were involved in drawing up UN charter- the principles of the charter were influenced by the democratic values of Western powers.
The Charter provided for:
-Maintenance of international peace + security.
-Prevention of aggression.
-Peaceful settlement of international disputes.
-Addressing economic, social and cultural problems.
-Promotion of human rights and fundamental freedom for all, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.

Question 3

What is the Security Council of the UN?

Answer 3

• The UN’s executive body.
• It has 5 permanent members: USA, USSR, China, France and the UK + 6 non-permanent members each elected for a two-year term.
• Britain, as a permanent member of the Security Council, has significant power and influence as each permanent member has a VETO over Security Council decisions that are otherwise binding on all members.

Question 4

What is the United Nations organisation + Britain’s role in key UN agencies?

Answer 4

• Executive body = Security Council.
• All members of the UN have a seat + equal voting rights in the General Assembly- though resolutions are largely advisory.
• Britain has played an important, though largely non-political role in key UN agencies.
• One of the judges of the INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE at The Hague (which arbitrates between nations on matters of international law) has always been British.
• Britain has always been a member of the Economic and Social Council which oversees a range of activities + co-ordinates the work of specialist agencies lie WHO.

Question 5

What is the influence of UN membership on British policy?

Answer 5

• Britain must present all it overseas actions as conforming to the principles of the UN.
• It isn’t always easy for Britain to obtain UN backing to ensure support of other nations and domestic public opinion for their policies as European colonial empires began to break up and the majority of nations were outside of the UN- in 50s, most members were Western. + (Global media coverage of international events has increased in speed + intensity- it has become more important to get backing).
• Britain found itself increasingly criticised by nations such as Africa + Asia when it retained it colonial empire. -It was considered as IMPERIALIST and IN VIOLATION OF THE UN’S COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM FOR PEOPLE OF ALL RACES.
• British have used veto sparingly but nearly always when their policy made them appear imperialist: firstly over the Suez Crisis in conjunction with France when the USA and USSR accused them of trying to re-establish colonial power over Egypt. Then between 1963 + ‘73, Britain vetoed 6 Security Council resolutions on Rhodesia. Finally Thatcher’s govt supported USA in vetoing a resolution criticising the US bombing of Libya.