UN Security Council Flashcards
What is the UNSC tasked with?
UNSC tasked with maintenance of peace and security
Who does permanent membership in UNSC belong to?
- Permanent membership in UNSC belongs to 5 victorious powers of WW2
- China, France, Russia, the US, the UK
Why is it argued that the UNSC is too exclusive?
- Argued that UNSC is too exclusive
- Permanent members motivated by protection of their own national interests
In what way have the permanent members used to UNSC to protect their own national interests?
- In 1990, UNSC was quick to condemn Iraqi invasion of Kuwait during Gulf War
- Voted immediately for economic sanctions to be imposed on Iraq
- UNSC intervened militarily by mobilising a coalition army to protect the territorial sovereignty of Kuwait
- In reality, Kuwait is an oil producing country
How does the UNSC reaction to Kuwait compare to their response in Rwanda?
- During Rwandan genocide in 1994, there was no quick condemnation from UNSC
- The international community largely deserted Rwanda
- The sovereign nations that made up UNSC did not have political will to intervene
Do the permanent members act out of altruism?
Permanent members often act out of strategic importance rather than altruistic ideals
The 5 permanent members hold veto power. Is this undemocratic?
Argued that the UNSC cannot serve interests of the global community so long as the 5 founding allies hold veto power
Why was the veto power essential to the creation of the UN in 1945?
- The veto power was essential to the creation of the UN in 1945
- It allowed 5 victorious powers to safeguard their own national interests whilst working to achieve collective global interests
Why wasn’t the UNSC’s purpose of achieving peace + security achieved during Cold War?
- During Cold War, UN’s purpose of achieving peace + security wasn’t achieved
- Debate often came to an impasse
- There were times when a resolution designed to contain a country was vetoed by the very country the resolution intended to contain
