United Nations

Question 1

What are the origins, role and significance of the UN?

Answer 1

• launched in the aftermath of WW2 and the defeat of fascism, originally had 50 members, now 193 (can only be sovereign states)
• one major contradiction: tries to balance the needs of the great powers with the idea that all member states are sovereign and equal?

Question 2

What is the UN Security Council?

Answer 2

• Tasked with maintenance of international peace and security. The negotiator, observer, peace keeper and peace enforcer. Spent $6.1bn on peacekeeping in 2023. Powers: pass legally-binding resolutions, suspend/expel members, impose economic sanctions, take military action
• Great powers essential for maintenance of international peace + security – only they can ensure it occurs. Essential their self-interests are preserved as encourages them to remain members. This is both the greatest strength and weakness of the Security Council.

Question 3

The Membership and Structure of the Security Council?

Answer 3

• 15 members, all have voting rights. Ten are temporary, serve on a rotating basis (2 years). Nine votes to pass resolution.
• Five Permanent members (P-5) pose largest obstacle for international security - USA, Russia, China, UK, France. Interests may come into conflict with each other, all have ability to protect interests from one other (Use of veto)
• Security Council should be reformed to increase legitimacy. Existence of Franc/UK on council is questioned (at best now regional powers) neither used veto since 1989 because weakness. Suggested new members should join, Japan, Brazil, India, Germany, South Africa, all present problems, particularly regional rivalries, and so far no changes have been made.

Question 4

What is the use if veto?

Answer 4

• Can permanently halt any decision they disagree with (ten non-permanent members can collectively veto a proposal). Power was given to ensure they remained members.
• During Cold War, Soviet Union vetoed many proposals – in opposition to the USA, France and UK. Result of differing ideological stances. After the Cold War- 2006 veto was used 13 times, mainly by USA. Russia too weak to oppose USA and USA engaged in global projects, e.g. liberating Kuwait (1991) after Iraq invaded. Also invaded Iraq 2003 prematurely (would have faced veto)
• Since 2006, veto more common. USA to protect Israel, Russia/China to protect the Syrian regime, Assad. Made humanitarian intervention difficult – Bosnia (1994), Ukraine (2015), Syria (2011-18) etc. When P5 members disagree conflict continues until victory/stalemate. Veto prolongs conflict.

Question 5

What is the UN General Assembly?

Answer 5

• Deliberative body, regarded as its ‘parliament’. All members of UN are members of General Assembly, each has one vote – formally equal. Number of roles:
• Debates/passes resolutions on matter covered by UN Charter. Decisions carried with 2/3 majority, recommendations and not binding on states.
• Examines/approves budget and determines members’ contributions.
• It elects (with the Security Council) the UN Secretary General on a 5-year renewable term (based in New York, administers the staff, bodies, programmes and policies of the UN)
• Elects the judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Question 6

What is the Economic and Social council?

Answer 6

• 54 members elected by General Assembly. Coordinates economic/social work of UN/associated organisations. including:
• The World Bank
• The World Health Organisation (WHO)
• The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Question 7

What is the International Court of Justice?

Answer 7

• Constituted by 15 judges elected to 9-year terms (three judges every 3 years on a rolling basis) separate votes in Security Council and General Assembly.
• Each P-5 has a sitting judge,
• any state before the Court can temporarily elect its own judge.
• Court elects its own President and Vice-President by secret ballot.
• Based in The Netherlands.

Question 8

What functions does the ICJ perform?

Answer 8

• Settles legal disputes e.g. India and Pakistan over death sentence for convicted alleged spy, 2017
• Enjoys moral authority, most nation-states unwilling to question rulings.
• Advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised UN agencies.
• Settling border disputes E.g. Canada and USA in 1984
• Chagos Islands belonged to Mauritius (in 2019) which Britain agreed to return to Mauritius in 2024.
• Maritime issues – territorial waters and fishing rights (e.g. Tunisia and Libya 1982).
• Doesn’t undermine sovereignty, used frequently (130 cases considered so far (2022)), enjoys widespread support.

Question 9

What are the weaknesses of the ICJ?

Answer 9

• Both parties agree to ICJ having jurisdiction – if one refuses, case cannot proceed.
• 72 members signed the optional clause that states they will definitely accept the court’s rulings (2017).
• Theoretically binding, no way of enforcing rulings – no police, powers of arrest. ICJ could appeal to UNSC, but it doesn’t have to act, and won’t, as this usually means using armed force which is only done when international peace/security is threatened.
• UNSC could veto any decision, thus the court is not fully independent.
• Does not deal with international criminal law, humanitarian issues or human rights.
• The ICJ can only deal with states, not corporations, individuals or NGOs.

Question 10

What rulings from the ICJ have been ignored?

Answer 10

• In 2004, it ruled against the security fence erected by Israel around the Palestinian West Bank, but Israel ignored the ruling and built the fence anyway
• In 2012, Colombia withdrew from the ICJ process after losing a border dispute with Nicaragua
• In 2022, Russia ignored ruling that it must withdraw militarily from Ukraine after ICJ found no evidence of genocide against Russian speakers in Ukraine

Question 11

Arguments that the UN had dealt with military conflicts successfully?

Answer 11

• No World War 3. Number of inter-state conflicts has generally declined.
• The ICJ successfully deals with border disputes, thus preventing future conflicts
• Peacekeeping forces have been deployed on numerous occasions
• The UNSC can create resolutions imposing some form of peaceful resolution to a dispute

Question 12

Arguments that the UN has been unsuccessful in dealing with military conflicts?

Answer 12

• There are still conflicts, particularly prolonged internal ones (civil wars)
• ICJ rulings are not binding and can be ignored by one or both parties
• Peacekeeping tends to be retrospective – trying to end already existing conflicts
• The veto of P5 members prevents numerous solutions and prolongs conflicts