THE UN : BETWEEN LEGITIMACY AND EFFICIENCY Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

History of the UN

A
  • the Cold War : within the 5 permanent members, 3 were coming from the west bloc and 2 from the est = blockages so the UNGA took the lead by :
  • opening up the UN to all sovereign states
  • turn the self determination principle to a right of indépendance for colonial people (RES 1514) even though the UNSC was paralysed.
  • Disunited universality : after the Cold War, new independent states whose politic is more focused on economic development = «new economic international order» (RES 1974). It lead to an abolition within the UN :
    • geographic expansion : universal expansion of the UNSC, its actions are expanded to almost all regions of the world.
    • broader definition of peace and security : expended to include domestic situations.
    • new means for the UNSC : establishment of international tribunals ; sanctions against member states (embargo..) and targeting sanctions = against a particular individual. This power has been abused after 9/11 = question on the legitimacy of the UNSC.

Today : critics about the useless of the UNSC and the overuse of its powers, especially under chapter VII (ex : during the operation in Lybie that lead to the death of Khadafi).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

The UN dilemma : legitimacy and efficiency

A

Efficiency : the power to have an influence on situations where peace/security are threatened

Legitimacy : the UN must truly be representative of the states.

-> those exist but are SPLIT within the UN to have an efficient system :

  • UNGA (art 10 UNCH) : it is =universal in its composition and in its functions = a body that as intestate legitimacy. But limits : no binding power/only soft law + discussions cannot involve each/security issues.
  • UNSC (art 27 UNCH) : small organ worth binding power BUT only if there is an affirmative vote of 9 members AND an affirmative vote of the 5 permanent members within those 9. BUT in practice, it works with a negative vote = VETO. Abstentions are not considered as such.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Other organs and the «UN family»

A

There are different main organs within the UN. Art 7.1 : UNGA ; UNSC, UNGS, ICJ.

  • ICJ : the Court is a principle organ of the UN, not only a judicial organ but an organ with its own powers also in the maintenance of peace/security. Justice provided by the ICJ is a device/tool for peace/security. In some judgments of the Court, once it has taken its decision, the ICJ plays its role as a UN organ. ICJ, Ukrain v. Russia : Legally speaking, the Court has not followed Ukrain argument but accepted the Russia argument = defeat for
    Ukrain.
  • the UNSG (art 97) : may be a very influential figure (Kofi Anan…). It may play an important rule of influence within the UN system.
  • The UN is no alone, it’s part of a broader UN system. Ex : the world food program : independent personality but this is the UN on the ground.Very important programs on the ground ; UNEF ; UNICEF… Beyond them, there are international organisations properly speaking having legal personality : OMS, WTFO, world Bank, UNESCO -> independent from the UN but they contribute to the goal of maintaining peace and security.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Reforming the UN ?

A
  • reasons
  • potential reforms
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Reforming the UN : reasons

A

The balance between legitimacy and efficiency arises two issues today :
- the legitimate organ (UNGA) is almost powerless : empty legitimate power.
- the efficient organ (UNSC) has become illegitimate : does not represent the UN anymore (1 for Asian countries for instance and 0 for Africa) = very low representativeness rate (8%).
- paralysis of the UNSC : veto overused whenever there is a sensitive subject (ex : Gaza situation -> states turn to non public entities and thus not transparent enough (G7, G20..). Sort of return to the clubs of states in the early XIXè.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Reforming the UN : potential reforms

A

Art 108 and 109 of UNCH provide the possibility to amend the Charter but with an agreement of at least 2/3 of the member states + it must be accepted at the domestic level = almost impossible to achieve. This is why some proposals have developed :

  • UNSC : proposal regarding the commitment of the permanent members not to use their veto when there is a risk of international crime. But not accepted by all of them (China, Russia, US).
  • UNGA : two elements :
    • practical : art 10 UNCH prevent the UNGA from discuss peace/security maters. To override the paralysis of the SC, the GA created its own procedure base on «uniting for peace», RES 1950 = if the council fails to exercice its primary responsability, the assembly shall consider the matter immediately and make appropriate recommandations including the use of arm force. = idea that the UNSC has the PRIMARY responsability in the maintenance of peace/security but not the sole responsibility.
  • structural : UNGA RES 76/162 : provides a sort of accountability before the UNGA for the permanent members = whenever a veto is casted, the president of the GA convient a meeting to debate on the situation. The state must justify its use of the veto.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly