UN Flashcards
UNGA
General assembly, used to discuss general matters. Anyone of the 193 memebrs can bring up topics, needs 2/3 majority to pass a resolution.
Evolution of GA
45-60: Dominated by west,
56-80s: 3rd World joining, mainly afro-asian states to balance the power
80s-now: Marginalisation and revival, reforms led to increased power of GA and forming of voting blocs
Evaluation of GA
Largely ineffective due to
1. Subortination to UNSC
2. Voting blocs
3. Inability to take actions
4. Inefficient process
*DID IMPROVE WITH RESOLUTION 377A
Resolution 377(a): Uniting for Peace
Passed in 1950 due to UNSC’s deadlock with constant USSR and China veto. Gave UNGA to bypass SC when passing resolutions.
*Can only be credited for bringin up issues and discussing them openly, ackowledge the effort
UNSC
Security Council, made up of 5 permanent members and 10 rotating members on 2 year terms with 5 replaced each year. Most powerful UN body with the ability to use force and impose sanctions.
Evolution of UNSC
- During CW (45-60): Became a battleground for US and USSR
- Detente (60-70s): Tensions decreasing after CMC, expanded members form 11 to 15 in 62.
- Renewed CW (80s-91): Increased tensions and clashes between US and commies
- End of CW (89/91): Finally improvement sto SC where there are not as many deadlocks
Evaluation of UNSC
Largely ineffective due to
1. Veto, USSR used a total of 121 vetoes
2. Dependent on will of P5
3. Rigid structure, never reformed since 62
4. Overly exclusive, only P5 and 10 other countries
UNICJ
International Court of Justice, responsible for composing International Law and arbitrate issues that is brought up
Composition of ICJ
15 judges, 1 from each of the P5, president to be elected from the 15.
Role of ICJ
- Settle legal disputes submitted and give advisory opinions
- Arbitrate issues with both parties consent
*Based on laws rather than international politics
*No juristiction over violence cases
*No binding effect, only advisry opinion
UNSG
Secretary General, acts as the administrative officer and sometimes as the commander of PKO forces. Can raise issues up to the GA and SC, and needs to generate an annual report for GA.
Trigve Lie
1946-1952, from Norway, relatively successful
- Pragmatic SG
- 48 Palestine PKO mediated conflict
- 50-53 Korean War, supported US but ended in stalemate
Dag Hammarskjold
1953-1961, from Sweden, most successful
- Intelligent and dedicated, ideal for carrying out PKOs
- 56 Suez Canal, success
- 58 Lebanon Civil War, organised US intervention, success
U Thant
1961-1971, from Burma, less successful
- Calm and selg assuring SG, ideal for conflict mediation
- 64 Cyprus, stablised situation, success
- 62 CMC, was the messenger but decision made by superpowers, failure
- 68 Prague Spring, hindered by USSR veto
Waldheim
1972-1981, from Austria, less successful
- Well rounded, focused more on secreatary aspect
- 72 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, stablised situation, success
- 64-75, Vietnam War, not much progress
- Divisions within UN, Waldheim unable to solve