United Nations Flashcards
Origins of UN
- multiple attempts
- finally, 1945 (San Francisco): UN Conference on Int. Organizations
- still some disagreements (veto? ICJ jurisdiction? role of colonies? regional organizations?)
Critics of UN origins
- alliance of great powers
- imperialist
The Charter 3 key points
- other treaties are subordinate
- refrain of threats or use of force
- sovereign equality
UN structure
- general assembly
- security council
- secretariat
- ECOSOC
- ICJ
- Trusteeship council?
UNGA: Uniting for Peace Resolution
- origins
- consequence
- Soviet Union vs other members dispute about China
- recurrent SU veto
- 1950: if fail to reach unanimity & 9UNSC in favour & majority UNGA in favour = special session
- special emergency session: rarely used, different decision-making process. No vetos useable
- recentL Jerusalem Dec 2017
UNGA decision making
For security, new members… 2/3
For rest… simple majority
Not legally binding (“recommendations” only)
UNGA membership process & types of members
- application by state -> secretary general -> UNSC -> UNGA 2/3
1. member states (193)
2. non-member observer status (palestine due to US veto in SC in 2012)
3. IGO with observer status (AU)
4. EU - geographical distribution mechanism
- observers and EU: no right to vote on substantive matters
How effectively does UNGA design mitigate sovereign inequality
agenda-setting stage -> medium equalizing
negotiation state -> weak equalizing (meetings and staff)
decision-making stage -> strong equalizing
How often is the UN budget renegotiated?
biannual basis
4 UN budgets
What is the UN budget decision-making process?
ACABQ proposal (committee) -> budget committee review -> GA decision (consensus now - used to be 2/3)
Who is the biggest UN Regular Budget contributor
USA. Many pay very very little: importance of consensus
What is the problem with UN Regular budget
Majority of countries pay late
Withholding payment -> Negotiation tool
UN deficit
non-compliance?
What is the sanction to not paying?
If 2+ years late: lose voting right (rarely enforced)
What are UN specialized agencies?
independent IOs with own treaty created outside UN coordinated by ECOSOC don't benefit from budget but mostly contributions e.g. IMF
What is the UNSC aim?
establish and maintain international peace and security
How is UNSC membership organized?
P5 + 10
geographical distribution
elected in GA for 2 years
What are the types of decisions that can be made by UNSC members
- substantive decisions - 9 votes including P5
- procedural decisions - 9 votes
- practice of abstention
(legally binding decisions)
What is UNSC collective action and how has it changed?
- determination if there is a threat
- can use air, sea or land forces
- changed from comprehensive sanctions -> smart sanctions
What are the 3 key features of UNSC peacekeeping?
- consent
- use of force only in self-defence
- impartiality
What does UNSC peacekeeping rely on?
civilian staff recruited by UN
army contributions by member states
UNSC budget
- seperate peacekeeping budget (very small)
- troop contributors vs. financors
How has UNSC peacekeeping had to adapt?
- changing nature of war (more intrastate)
- responsibility to protect (R2P) -> genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity without taking away state sovereignty
What have been the UNSC criticisms?
- too small and selective
- mainly western regional distribution
- permanent membership
- veto power
What has been a demand for change in the UNSC
more accountability for HR violations
-external, internal & hybrid conception (can IOs be held accountable)
