International Organisations PDF

Chapter 4 International Organisations Overview In this chapter we shall discuss the role of international organisations after the collapse of the Soviet Union. We shall examine how, i...

Chapter 4 International Organisations Overview In this chapter we shall discuss the role of international organisations after the collapse of the Soviet Union. We shall examine how, in this emerging world, there were calls for the restructuring of international organisations to cope with various new challenges including the rise of US power. The potential reform of the United Nations Security Council is an interesting case of the reform process and its difficulties. We then turn to India’s involvement in the UN and its view of Security Council reforms. The chapter closes by asking if the UN can play This is the United Nations’ logo. The emblem has a world map with olive branches around it, signifying world peace. any role in dealing with a world Credit : www.un.org dominated by one superpower. In this chapter we also look at some other trans-national organisations that are playing a crucial role. 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 45 14 September 2022 11:03:24  46 Contemporary World Politics Why International “Talking shop? Yes, there are a lot of speeches and meetings Organisations? at the U.N., especially during the Read the two cartoons on this annual sessions of the General page. Both the cartoons comment Assembly. But as Churchill put it, on the ineffectiveness of the jaw-jaw is better than war-war. United Nations Organisation, Isn’t it better to have one place usually referred to as the UN, in where all… countries in the world the Lebanon crisis in 2006. Both can get together, bore each other the cartoons represent the kind of sometimes with their words rather opinions that we often hear about than bore holes into each other on the UN. the battlefield?” — Shashi Tharoor, the former UN Under -Secretary- On the other hand, we also General for Communications and find that the UN is generally Public Information. regarded as the most important international organisation in These two quotes suggest today’s world. In the eyes of many something important. people all over the world, it is International organisations are indispensable and represents the not the answer to everything, but great hope of humanity for peace they are important. International and progress. Why do we then organisations help with matters need organisations like the UN? of war and peace. They also help Let us hear two insiders: countries cooperate to make That’s what they better living conditions for us all. say about the “The United Nations was parliament too — not created to take humanity to Countries have conflicts and a talking shop. Does heaven, but to save it from hell.” differences with each other. That it mean that we need — Dag Hammarskjold, the UN’s does not necessarily mean they talking shops? second Secretary-General. must go to war to deal with their © Petar Pismestrovic, Cagle Cartoons Inc. © Harry Harrison, Cagle Cartoons Inc. During June 2006, Israel attacked Lebanon, saying that it was necessary to control the militant group called Hezbollah. Large numbers of civilians were killed and many public buildings and even residential areas came under Israeli bombardment. The UN passed a resolution on this only in August and the Israel army withdrew from the region only in October. Both these cartoons comment on the role of the UN and its Secretary-General in this episode. 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 46 14 September 2022 11:03:25  International Organisations 47 antagonisms. They can, instead, discuss contentious issues and IMF find peaceful solutions; indeed, The International Monetary even though this is rarely noticed, Fund (IMF) is an international most conflicts and differences organisation that oversees those financial institutions and regula- are resolved without going to tions that act at the international war. The role of an international level. The IMF has 190 member organisation can be important countries (as on 19 Febuary 2024) but in this context. An international they do not enjoy an equal say. The G-7 members organisation is not a super-state US (16.52%), Japan (6.15%), Germany (5.32%), with authority over its members. France (4.03%), UK (4.03%), Italy (3.02%) and Canada (2.22%) have 41.29% of the votes. It is created by and responds to China (6.09%), India (2.64%), Russia (2.59%) states. It comes into being when Brazil (2.22%) and Saudi Arabia (2.02%) are the IMF states agree to its creation. Once other major members. created, it can help member states resolve their problems peacefully. International organisations actually cooperating are two are helpful in another way. different things. Nations can Nations can usually see that recognise the need to cooperate there are some things they must but cannot always agree on how do together. There are issues that best to do so, how to share the are so challenging that they can costs of cooperating, how to only be dealt with when everyone make sure that the benefits of works together. Disease is an cooperating are justly divided, example. Some diseases can only and how to ensure that others do be eradicated if everyone in the not break their end of the bargain world cooperates in inoculating or and cheat on an agreement. An vaccinating their populations. Or international organisation can take global warming and its effects. help produce information and As temperatures rise because ideas about how to cooperate. of the increase in greenhouse It can provide mechanisms, gases in the atmosphere, there rules and a bureaucracy, is a danger that sea levels will to help members have more also rise, thereby submerging confidence that costs will be many coastal areas of the world shared properly, that the benefits including huge cities. Of course, each country can try to find its own solution to the effects of Make a list of issues or global warming. But in the end a problems (other than more effective approach is to stop the ones mentioned in the warming itself. This requires the text) that cannot at least all of the major industrial be handled by any one powers to cooperate. country and require an Unfortunately, recognising international organisation. the need for cooperation and 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 47 15-03-2024 11:51:04  48 Contemporary World Politics government? We shall try to FOUNDING OF THE UNITED NATIONS answer this question at the end of the chapter. 1941 August: Signing of the Atlantic Charter by the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British PM Winston S. Churchill Evolution of the UN 1942 January: 26 Allied nations fighting against the Axis Powers meet in Washington, D.C., to support the Atlantic The First World War encouraged Charter and sign the ‘Declaration by United Nations’ the world to invest in an international organisation to 1943 December: Tehran Conference Declaration of the deal with conflict. Many believed Three Powers (US, Britain and Soviet Union) that such an organisation would 1945 February: Yalta Conference of the ‘Big Three’ help the world to avoid war. As a (Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin) decides to organise a United result, the League of Nations was Nations conference on the proposed world organisation born. However, despite its initial success, it could not prevent the April-May: The 2-month long United Nations Conference on International Organisation at San Francisco Second World War (1939-45). Many more people died and were 1945 June 26: Signing of the UN Charter by 50 nations (Poland wounded in this war than ever signed on October 15; so the UN has 51 original founding before. members) The UN was founded as 1945 October 24: the UN was founded (hence October 24 a successor to the League of is celebrated as UN Day) Nations. It was established in 1945 October 30: India joins the UN 1945 immediately after the S e c o n d Wo r l d Wa r. T h e will be fairly divided, and that once a member joins an agreement it will honour the terms and conditions of the agreement. With the end of the Cold War, we can see that the UN may have a slightly different role. As the United States and its allies emerged victorious, there was concer n amongst many governments and peoples that The US Office of War Information the Western countries led by created the above poster during the US would be so powerful the Second World War as per the that there would be no check Declaration by United Nations of 1942. against their wishes and desires. The poster features the flags of all nations that were part of the Allied Can the UN serve to promote Forces. It reflects the belligerent origins dialogue and discussion with the of the UN. US in particular, and could it limit the power of the American 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 48 14 September 2022 11:03:26  International Organisations 49 Adapted from http://www.newint.org/issue375/pics/un-map-big.gif For more details about the UN System, visit www.un.org 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 49 14 September 2022 11:03:27  50 Contemporary World Politics organisation was set up through (1995-2002) and the UN High Search for at the signing of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees least one news Charter by 51 states. It tried to (2005-2015). item about achieve what the League could The UN consists of many the activities not between the two world wars. different structures and of each of the UN agencies The UN’s objective is to prevent agencies. War and peace and mentioned on international conflict and to differences between member this page. facilitate cooperation among states are discussed in the states. It was founded with the General Assembly as well as hope that it would act to stop the the Security Council. Social and conflicts between states escalating economic issues are dealt with into war and, if war broke out, by many agencies including to limit the extent of hostilities. the World Health Organisation Furthermore, since conflicts (WHO), the United Nations often arose from the lack of Development Programme (UNDP), social and economic development, the United Nations Human Rights the UN was intended to bring Commision (UNHRC), the United countries together to improve the Nations High Commission for prospects of social and economic Refugees (UNHCR), the United development all over the world. Nations Children’s Fund By 2011, the UN had 193 (UNICEF), and the United Nations member states. These includeed Educational, Scientific, and almost all independent states. Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), In the UN General Assembly, all among others. members have one vote each. In the UN Security Council, there Reform of the UN after are five permanent members. These are: the United States, the Cold War Russia, the United Kingdom, Reform and improvement are France and China. These states fundamental to any organisation were selected as per manent to serve the needs of a changing members as they were the most environment. The UN is no powerful immediately after the exception. In recent years, there Second World War and because have been demands for reform of Cold War or no they constituted the victors in the world body. However, there is Cold War, one the War. little clarity and consensus on the reform is needed above all. Only The UN’s most visible public nature of reform. democratic leaders figure, and the representative Two basic kinds of reforms should be allowed head, is the Secretary-General. face the UN: r efor m of the to represent their The present Secretary-General organisation’s structures and countries in the UN. is António Guterres. He is the pr ocesses; and a r eview of How can they allow dictators to speak ninth Secretary-General of the the issues that fall within the in the name of the UN. He took over as the Secretary- jurisdiction of the organisation. people of their General on 1 January 2017. He Almost everyone is agreed that country? was the Prime Minister of Portugal both aspects of r efor m ar e 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 50 14 September 2022 11:03:27  International Organisations 51 necessary. What they cannot agree on is precisely what is to UN SECRETARIES-GENERAL be done, how it is to be done, and Trygve Lie (1946-1952) Norway; lawyer and foreign when it is to be done. minister; worked for ceasefire between India and Pakistan on Kashmir; criticised for his failure to On the reform of structures quickly end the Korean war; Soviet Union opposed and processes, the biggest second term for him; resigned from the post. discussion has been on the Dag Hammarskjöld (1953-1961) Sweden; Economist functioning of the Security and lawyer; worked for resolving the Suez Canal dispute and the decolonisation of Africa; awarded Council. Related to this has Nobel Peace Prize posthumously in 1961 for his been the demand for an increase efforts to settle the Congo crisis; Soviet Union and in the UN Security Council’s France criticised his role in Africa. permament and non-permanent U Thant (1961-1971) Burma (Myanmar); teacher and diplomat; worked for resolving the Cuban Missile membership so that the realities Crisis and ending the Congo crisis; established the of contemporary world politics are UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus; criticised the US better reflected in the structure during the Vietnam War. of the organisation. In particular, Kurt Waldheim (1972-1981) Austria; diplomat and foreign minister; made efforts to resolve the there are proposals to increase problems of Namibia and Lebanon; oversaw the membership from Asia, Africa and relief operation in Bangladesh; China blocked his South America. Beyond this, the bid for a third term. US and other Western countries Javier Perez de Cuellar (1982-1991) Peru; lawyer and diplomat; worked for peace in Cyprus, Afghanistan want improvements in the UN’s and El Salvador; mediated between Britain and budgetary procedures and its Argentina after the Falklands War; negotiated for administration. the independence of Namibia. Boutros Boutros-Ghali (1992-1996) Egypt; diplomat, On the issues to be given jurist, foreign minister; issued a report, An Agenda greater priority or to be brought for Peace; conducted a successful UN operation in within the jurisdiciton of the UN, Mozambique; blamed for the UN failures in Bosnia, Somalia and Rwanda; due to serious disagreements, some countries and experts want the US blocked a second term for him. the organisation to play a greater Kofi A. Annan (1997-2006) Ghana; UN official; or more effective role in peace and created the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis security missions, while others and Malaria; declared the US-led invasion of Iraq as an illegal act; established the Peacebuilding want its role to be confined to Commission and the Human Rights Council in 2005; development and humanitarian awarded the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. work (health, education, Ban Ki-moon (2007-2016) Republic of Korea (South environment, population control, Korea); diplomat and foreign minister; the second Asian to hold the post; highlighted climate change; human rights, gender and social focused on the Millennium Development Goals justice). and Sustainable Development Goals; worked for the creation of UN Women; emphasised conflict Let us look at both sets of resolution and nuclear disarmament. reforms, with an emphasis on António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres (2017- ) reform of the structures and Portugal; former Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 processes. to 2002; was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees during 2005–2015; President of the The UN was established Socialist International from 1999 to 2005. He is serving as the ninth Secretary–General of the United Nations. in 1945 immediately after the Photo Credit: www.un.org Second World War. The way it 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 51 16 September 2022 12:04:10  52 Contemporary World Politics terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, environmental degradation, epidemics). In this situation, in 1989, as the Cold War was ending, the question facing the world was: is the UN doing enough? Is it equipped to do what is required? What should it be doing? And how? What reforms are necessary Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, launches UN @ 70 to celebrate the 70th Anniversary in New Delhi in 2015 (UN Photo/Mark Garten) to make it work better? For the past decade and a half, member states have been trying to find was organised and the way it satisfactory and practical answers functioned reflected the realities to these questions. of world politics after the Second World War. After the Cold War, those realities are different. Here Reform of Structures and are some of the changes that have occurred: Processes The Soviet Union has While the case for reform has collapsed. widespread support, getting agreement on what to do is The US is the strongest power. difficult. Let us examine the The relationship between debate over reform of the UN Russia, the successor to the Security Council. In 1992, the Soviet Union, and the US is UN General Assembly adopted much more cooperative. a resolution. The resolution China is fast emerging as a reflected three main complaints: great power, and India also is The Security Council no longer growing rapidly. represents contemporary The economies of Asia are political realities. growing at an unprecedented Its decisions reflect only rate. Western values and interests Many new countries have and are dominated by a few joined the UN (as they became powers. independent from the Soviet It lacks equitable representation. Union or former communist In view of these growing states in eastern Europe). demands for the restructuring of A whole new set of challenges the UN, on 1 January 1997, the confronts the world (genocide, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan civil war, ethnic conflict, initiated an inquiry into how the 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 52 14 September 2022 11:03:27  International Organisations 53 UN should be reformed. How, for instance, should new Security World Bank Council members be chosen? The World Bank was created In the years since then, the during the Second World War in 1944. Its activities are focused following are just some of the on the developing countries. It criteria that have been proposed works for human development for new permanent and non- (education, health), agriculture per manent members of the and rural development (irrigation, rural services), Security Council. A new member, environmental protection (pollution reduction, it has been suggested, should be: establishing and enforcing regulations), infrastructure (roads, urban regeneration, A major economic power electricity) and governance (anti-corruption, A major military power development of legal institutions). It provides WORLD BANK A substantial contributor to loans and grants to the member-countries. In the UN budget this way, it exercises enormous influence on A big nation in terms of its the economic policies of developing countries. population It is often criticised for setting the economic A nation that respects agenda of the poorer nations, attaching democracy and human rights stringent conditions to its loans and forcing free A country that would market reforms. make the Council more representative of the world’s diversity in terms of geography, economic systems, and culture Clearly, each of these criteria Major contributors to the has some validity. Governments UN regular budget for 2019 saw advantages in some criteria No. Member State % and disadvantages in others 1 USA 22.0 depending on their interests and 2 China 12.0 aspirations. Even if they had no 3 Japan 8.5 desire to be members themselves, 4 Germany 6.0 countries could see that the 5 UK 4.5 6 France 4.4 criteria were problematic. How 7 Italy 3.3 big an economic or military power 8 Brazil 2.9 did you have to be to qualify for 9 Canada 2.7 Security Council membership? 10 Russia 2.4 What level of budget contribution 11 Republic of Korea 2.2 12 Australia 2.2 would enable a state to buy its 13 Spain 2.1 way into the Council? Was a big 14 Turkey 1.3 population an asset or a liability 15 Netherlands 1.3 for a country trying to play a 16 Mexico 1.2 bigger role in the world? If respect 17 Saudi Arabia 1.1 18 Switzerland 1.1 for democracy and human rights 19 Argentina 0.9 was the criteria, countries with 20 Sweden 0.9 excellent records would be in line 21 India 0.8 to be members; but would they Source: www.un.org be effective as Council members? 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 53 14 September 2022 11:03:27  54 Contemporary World Politics to members of the developing world? Even here, there are difficulties. The developing world consists of countries at many different levels of development. What about culture? Should STEPS different cultures or ‘civilisations’  Divide the class into six groups. Each group is be given representation in a more to follow one of the six criteria (or more if there balanced way? How does one are more suggestions) listed here for permanent divide the world by civilisations or membership of the UN Security Council. cultures given that nations have so many cultural streams within  Each group is to make its own list of the their borders? permanent members based on its given criterion (e.g. the group working on the ‘population’ A related issue was to change criterion will find out the which are five most the nature of membership populous countries). altogether. Some insisted, for  Each group can make a presentation of their instance, that the veto power recommended list and reasons why their of the five permanent members criterion should be accepted. be abolished. Many perceived the veto to be in conflict with Ideas for the Teacher the concept of democracy and  Allow the students to opt for the group whose criterion they sovereign equality in the UN and themselves favour. thought that the veto was no  Compare all the lists and see how many names are longer right or relevant. common and how often India features.  Keep some time for an open ended discussion on which In the Security Council, there criterion should be adopted. are five permanent members and ten non-permanent members. The Charter gave the permanent members a privileged position Furthermore, how was to bring about stability in the the matter of representation world after the Second World to be resolved? Did equitable War. The main privileges of the representation in geographical five permanent members are terms mean that there should be permanency and the veto power. one seat each from Asia, Africa, and The non-permanent members Latin America and the Caribbean? serve for only two years at a time Should the representation, on the and give way after that period other hand, be by regions or sub- to newly elected members. A regions (rather than continents)? country cannot be re-elected Why should the issue of equitable immediately after completing representation be decided by a term of two years. The non- geography? Why not by levels of permanent members are elected economic development? Why not, in a manner so that they represent in other words, give more seats all continents of the world. 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 54 14 September 2022 11:03:28  International Organisations 55 Most importantly, the non- Jurisdiction of the UN permanent members do not have the veto power. What is the veto The question of membership is a power? In taking decisions, the serious one. In addition, though, Security Council proceeds by ther e ar e mor e substantial voting. All members have one vote. issues before the world. As the However, the permanent members That’s very unfair! It’s UN completed 60 years of its actually the weaker can vote in a negative manner so existence, the heads of all the countries who need that even if all other permanent member-states met in September a veto, not those and non-permanent members 2005 to celebrate the anniversary who already have so vote for a particular decision, any and review the situation. The much power. permanent member’s negative leaders in this meeting decided vote can stall the decision. This that the following steps should negative vote is the veto. be taken to make the UN more While there has been a move to relevant in the changing context. abolish or modify the veto system, Creation of a Peacebuilding there is also a realisation that the Commission permanent members are unlikely to agree to such a reform. Also, Acceptance of the responsibility the world may not be ready for of the international community such a radical step even though in case of failures of national the Cold War is over. Without the governments to protect their veto, there is the danger as in 1945 own citizens from atrocities that the great powers would lose Establishment of a Human interest in the world body, that Rights Council (operational they would do what they pleased since 19 June 2006) Find out outside it, and that without their about the support and involvement the body Agreements to achieve the Sustainable would be ineffective. Millennium Development Development Goals (MDGs) Goals (SDGs). Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations Creation of a Democracy Fund An agreement to wind up the Trusteeship Council It is not hard to see that these are equally contentious issues for the UN. What should a Peacebuilding Commission do? There are any number of conflicts all over the world. Which ones should it intervene in? Is it possible or Source: www.un.org even desirable for it to intervene in 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 55 14 September 2022 11:03:28  56 Contemporary World Politics each and every conflict? Similarly, what is the responsibility of the international community in dealing with atrocities? What are human rights and who should © Pat Bagley, Cagle Cartoons Inc. determine the level of human rights violations and the course of action to be taken when they are violated? Given that so many countries are still part of the developing world, how realistic is it for the UN to achieve an ambitious set of goals such as those listed in the Sustainable Development The humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan since 2003 has attracted Goals? Can there be agreement empty promises by the International Community. How do you on a definition of terrorism? How think the UN can intervene in situations like this? Would that shall the UN use funds to promote require a change in its jurisdiction? democracy? And so on. Source: www.un.org 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 56 14 September 2022 11:03:28  International Organisations 57 India and the UN Reforms WTO India has supported the The World Trade Organisation restructuring of the UN on (WTO) is an international several grounds. It believes that a organisation which sets the rules for global trade. This organisation strengthened and revitalised UN was set up in 1995 as the successor is desirable in a changing world. to the General Agreement on India also supports an enhanced Trade and Tariffs (GATT) created after the role for the UN in promoting Second World War. It has 164 members (as on 29 development and cooperation July 2016). All decisions are taken unanimously but the major economic powers such as the among states. India believes that US, EU and Japan have managed to use the development should be central WTO to frame rules of trade to advance their to the UN’s agenda as it is a vital own interests. The developing countries often WTO precondition for the maintenance complain of non-transparent procedures and of international peace and security. being pushed around by big powers. One of India’s major concerns has been the composition of the Security Council, which has India supports an increase in remained largely static while the the number of both permanent UN General Assembly member- and non-permanent members. ship has expanded considerably. Its representatives have argued India considers that this has that the activities of the Security harmed the representative Council have greatly expanded in character of the Security the past few years. The success Council. It also argues that an of the Security Council’s actions expanded Council, with more depends upon the political support representation, will enjoy greater of the international community. support in the world community. Any plan for restructuring of the Security Council should, We should keep in mind therefore, be broad-based. For that the membership of the UN example, the Security Council Security Council was expanded should have more developing from 11 to 15 in 1965. But, there countries in it. was no change in the number of permanent members. Since Not surprisingly, India itself then, the size of the Council has also wishes to be a permanent remained stationary. The fact member in a restructured UN. remains that the overwhelming India is the most populous majority of the UN General country in the world comprising Assembly members now are almost one-fifth of the world Do we want to developing countries. Therefore, population. Moreover, India oppose the bossism India argues that they should is also the world’s largest of the big five or also have a role in shaping the democracy. India has participated do we want to join decisions in the Security Council in virtually all of the initiatives them and become which affect them. of the UN. Its role in the UN’s another boss? 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 57 02-04-2024 10:17:58  58 Contemporary World Politics that its difficulties with Pakistan IAEA will make India ineffective as a The International Atomic Energy permanent member. Yet others Agency (IAEA) was established feel that if India is included, then in 1957. It came into being to other emerging powers will have to implement US President Dwight be accommodated such as Brazil, Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” Germany, Japan, perhaps even proposal. It seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to prevent its use for military South Africa, whom they oppose. purposes. IAEA teams regularly inspect nuclear There are those who feel that IAEA facilities all over the world to ensure that civilian Africa and South America must be reactors are not being used for military purposes. represented in any expansion of the permanent membership since those are the only continents peacekeeping efforts is a long and not to have representation in the substantial one. The country’s present structure. Given these concerns, it may not be very easy economic emergence on the for India or anyone else to become world stage is another factor that a permanent member of the UN perhaps justifies India’s claim to in the near future. a permanent seat in the Security Council. India has also made regular financial contributions The UN in a Unipolar to the UN and never faltered on its payments. India is aware World that permanent membership of Among the concerns about the the Security Council also has reform and restructuring of the symbolic importance. It signifies UN has been the hope of some a country’s growing importance in countries that changes could help world affairs. This greater status the UN cope better with a unipolar is an advantage to a country in word in which the US was the the conduct of its foreign policy: most powerful country without any the reputation for being powerful serious rivals. Can the UN serve as makes you more influential. a balance against US dominance? Despite India’s wish to be a Can it help maintain a dialogue permanent veto-wielding member between the rest of the world and of the UN, some countries question the US and prevent America from its inclusion. Neighbouring doing whatever it wants? Pakistan, with which India has US power cannot be easily troubled relations, is not the only checked. First of all, with the country that is reluctant to see disappearance of the Soviet India become a permanent veto Union, the US stands as the What happens if the member of the Security Council. only superpower. Its military and UN invites someone to New York but the Some countries, for instance, are economic power allow it to ignore US does not issue concerned about India’s nuclear the UN or any other international visa? weapons capabilities. Others think organisation. 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 58 14 September 2022 11:03:28  International Organisations 59 Secondly, within the UN, the influence of the US is considerable. As the single largest contributor to the UN, the US has unmatched financial power. The fact that the UN is physically located within the US territory gives Washington additional sources of influence. The US also has many nationals in the UN bureaucracy. In addition, with its veto power the US can stop any moves that it finds annoying or damaging to its interests or the interests of its friends and allies. The power of the US and its veto within the organisation also ensure that Washington has a considerable degree of say in the choice of the Secretary General of the UN. The US can and does use this power to “split” the rest of the world and to reduce opposition to its policies. The UN is not therefore a great balance to the US. Nevertheless, in a unipolar world in which © Mike Lane, Cagle Cartoons Inc. the US is dominant, the UN can and has served to bring the US and the rest of the world into discussions over various issues. US leaders, in spite of their Amnesty International AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL frequent criticism of the UN, do see the organisation as serving Amnesty International is an NGO that campaigns for the protection a purpose in bringing together of human rights all over the world. over 190 nations in dealing with It promotes respect for all the conflict and social and economic human rights in the Universal Declaration of development. As for the rest of the Human Rights. It believes that human rights are world, the UN provides an arena interdependent and indivisible. It prepares and publishes reports on human rights. Governments in which it is possible to modify are not always happy with these reports since US attitudes and policies. While a major focus of Amnesty is the misconduct of the rest of the world is rarely government authorities. Nevertheless, these united against Washington, and reports play an important role in research and while it is virtually impossible advocacy on human rights. to “balance” US power, the UN 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 59 14 September 2022 11:03:29  60 Contemporary World Politics be worse off. Given the growing HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Human Rights Watch connections and links between Human Rights Watch is another societies and issues—what we international NGO involved in often call ‘interdependence’—it is research and advocacy on hard to imagine how more than human rights. It is the largest international human rights seven billion people would live organisation in the US. It draws the together without an organisation global media’s attention to human rights abuses. such as the UN. Technology It helped in building international coalitions like promises to increase planetary the campaigns to ban landmines, to stop the use interdependence, and therefore of child soldiers and to establish the International Criminal Court. the importance of the UN will only incr ease. Peoples and governments will have to find does provide a space within ways of supporting and using which arguments against specific the UN and other international US attitudes and policies are organisations in ways that heard and compromises and are consistent with their own concessions can be shaped. interests and the interests of the The UN is an imperfect body, international community more but without it the world would broadly. 1. Mark correct or wrong against each of the following statements Exercises about the veto power. a. Only the permanent members of the Security Council possess the veto power. b. It’s a kind of negative power. c. The Secretary-General uses this power when not satisfied with any decision. d. One veto can stall a Security Council resolution. 2. Mark correct or wrong against each of the following statements about the way the UN functions. a. All security and peace related issues are dealt with in the Security Council. b. Humanitarian policies are implemented by the main organs and specialised agencies spread across the globe. c. Having consensus among the five permanent members on security issues is vital for its implementation. d. The members of the General Assembly are automatically the members of all other principal organs and specialised agencies of the UN. 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 60 14 September 2022 11:03:29  International Organisations 61 3. Which among the following would give more weightage to India’s proposal for permanent membership in the Security Council? a. Nuclear capability b. It has been a member of the UN since its inception c. It is located in Asia d. India’s growing economic power and stable political system 4. The UN agency concerned with the safety and peaceful use of E x e r c i s e s nuclear technology is: a. The UN Committee on Disarmament b. International Atomic Energy Agency c. UN International Safeguard Committee d. None of the above 5. WTO is serving as the successor to which of the following organisations a. General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs b. General Arrangement on Trade and Tariffs c. World Health Organisation d. UN Development Programme 6. Fill in the blanks. a. The prime objective of the UN is ___________________________ b. The highest functionary of the UN is called_________________ c. The UN Security Council has _____ permanent and _____non- permanent members. d. ______________________ is the present UN Secretary-General. 7. Match the principal organs and agencies of the UN with their functions: 1. Economic and Social Council 2. International Court of Justice 3. International Atomic Energy Agency 4. Security Council 5. UN High Commission for Refugees 6. World Trade Organisation 7. International Monetary Fund 8. General Assembly 9. World Health Organisation 10. Secretariat 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 61 14 September 2022 11:03:29  62 Contemporary World Politics a. Oversees the global financial system b. Preservation of international peace and security c. Looks into the economic and social welfare of the member countries d. Safety and peaceful use of nuclear technology E x e r c i s e s e. Resolves disputes between and among member countries f. Provides shelter and medical help during emergencies g. Debates and discusses global issues h. Administration and coordination of UN affairs i. Providing good health for all j. Facilitates free trade among member countries 8. What are the functions of the Security Council? 9. As a citizen of India, how would you support India’s candidature for the permanent membership of the Security Council? Justify your proposal. 10. Critically evaluate the difficulties involved in implementing the suggested reforms to reconstruct the UN. 11. Though the UN has failed in preventing wars and related miseries, nations prefer its continuation. What makes the UN an indispensable organisation? 12. ‘Reforming the UN means restructuring of the Security Council’. Do you agree with this statement? Give arguments for or against this position. 2024-25 Chapter 4.indd 62 14 September 2022 11:03:29