Short Answer Essay Questions Flashcards
Discuss the differences between the UN and the UN system.
The United Nations are made up of 6 principle organs (General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Secretariat, International Court of Justice and the Trusteeship Council. Technically 5 principle organs with those sub-bodies reporting to it such as GA 3rd committee.
The UN System is known as the “UN Family”, which consists of a support system for the principle organs through Programs, Funds, and Specialized agencies such as UNICEF.
Outline the primary reasons that led to the downfall of the League of Nations.
From the start of the League of Nations, President Woodrow Wilson referred to the LN as a “definite guarantee of peace.” As soon as peace was broken, LN was seen as a failure. The international acceptance of States retaining sovereignty made problems with applying pressure through verbal warning and sanctions. Not having an army of it’s own posed problems to lead to LN downfall.
Explore the difference in jurisdiction of ICJ and the ICC.
ICJ (International Court of Justice) is one of the principle organs of the UN. The ICJ is a civil court for countries to sue each other. The two areas covered by ICJ are contentious cases and advisory opinion.
ICC (International Criminal Court) is a court to sue individuals or multiple individuals. The three areas covered by ICC are genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Discuss how the R2P principle developed.
After the Cold War, there was a rise of intra-state conflicts. Due to the issue of State sovereignty, it became nearly impossible of Peacekeeping operations to be effective. The R2P or Responsibility to Protect, shifted the thinking about what a States primary responsibility is. It is a States primary duty to protect, not to persecute their people. When the State fails to protect, the international committee must intervene. R2P is a last resort, must be a serious threat. UNSC Res 1647 1st resolution for R2P
Describe why developed states tend to contribute less troops to PKOs when compared to developing states.
Developed States tend to contribute less troops to PKO because it costs a lot more to have a soldier from a developed nation employed. Health care, wages etc would be expected to be higher than the budget can afford. Developing states on the other hand make money by sending PKO soldiers and therefore they are the top contributors of soldiers.
Explore the debate concerning natural law as a basis for human rights law and the responsibility for states to protect people within their defined geographic borders.
The debate is the Rights of the State vs Rights of the Individual
Natural Law argues that every individual have certain and values.
When the State interferes with the individuals natural God given rights, then they are at the wrong.
What then becomes international norms and rules?
Then arises the question of sovereignty vs UNSC jurisdiction.
