United Nations at 80 – Challenges and Calls for Reform

The United Nations marked its 80th anniversary amid growing concerns about its relevance and effectiveness. Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon reflected on the organisation’s early successes, such as during the Korean War, but warned that urgent reforms are needed for the UN to remain fit for purpose in the 21st century. The UN’s history has been marked by both achievements and failures in maintaining global peace and security. This overview explores the key aspects of the UN’s journey, its structural challenges, and the ongoing debate about reform.

Historical Context and Early Challenges

The UN was founded in 1945 to prevent wars and promote peace. Early successes included navigating the Korean War and managing crises like the Suez Canal conflict in 1956. However, the organisation has often struggled to prevent or resolve conflicts, as seen in Sudan, Rwanda, Cambodia, Bosnia, Iraq, and Gaza. Peacekeeping missions have saved lives but sometimes failed to stop violence in conflict zones.

Notable Peacekeeping and Judicial Efforts

During the 1990s, the UN achieved limited successes. It deployed peacekeepers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and established the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia to prosecute war crimes. The UN also helped resolve the Kosovo conflict and secured a nuclear freeze agreement with North Korea in 1994. These efforts showed the organisation’s potential when global tensions eased after the Cold War.

Decline and Structural Challenges

The UN’s influence waned after the 2003 Iraq invasion led by the US and allies without UN approval. Attendance by world leaders at UN General Assembly sessions has declined, signalling reduced interest. The UN’s structure poses major problems – all 193 member states have equal voting rights, but five permanent Security Council members hold veto power. This veto system often blocks decisive action, making the organisation ineffective in crises.

Veto Power and Voting Dilemma

The veto was designed to prevent misuse of the UN by majority coalitions. It grants five countries more power than others, despite the principle of sovereign equality. Removing the veto would require overhauling the entire voting system. The veto has protected some nations from adverse resolutions but has also allowed repeated blocking of actions, especially by Russia and the US. This imbalance raises questions about the UN’s democratic legitimacy.

Failures in Addressing Human Rights and Conflicts

The UN has faced criticism for hypocrisy, with countries violating human rights sitting on committees meant to protect those rights. Emergency sessions have been held repeatedly on Palestine, but not on other severe crises like Sudan or Rwanda. This selective attention undermines the UN’s credibility and fuels calls for a new approach to global governance.

The Need for New Multilateralism

The League of Nations, the UN’s predecessor, failed in the 1930s due to similar structural flaws and lack of commitment by major powers. The UN was created after World War II as a renewed effort to maintain peace. Today, as the world shifts towards multipolarity, experts argue for visionary leadership to build a new multilateral system rather than relying on incremental UN reforms. Fresh ideas and cooperation are essential to address current global challenges.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically discuss the impact of the United Nations Security Council veto system on global peace and security.
2. Examine the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution during the post-Cold War period and its limitations.
3. Analyse the challenges faced by multilateral organisations in protecting human rights and maintaining international order. Suggest reforms.
4. Estimate the significance of multipolarity in shaping future global governance and the relevance of existing international institutions like the United Nations.

Answer Hints:

1. Critically discuss the impact of the United Nations Security Council veto system on global peace and security.

1. The veto grants five permanent members (US, UK, France, Russia, China) disproportionate power over UN decisions.
2. It prevents misuse of the UN by majority coalitions, protecting national sovereignty and minority interests.
3. However, it often leads to paralysis in crises, blocking timely and decisive action (e.g., Syria, Ukraine conflicts).
4. Frequent use by Russia (161 times) and the US (95 times) shows how political interests override global peace.
5. The veto undermines democratic equality since all 193 members have equal voting rights but no veto.
6. Removing the veto requires overhaul of the entire UN voting system, making reform complex and unlikely.

2. Examine the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution during the post-Cold War period and its limitations.

1. The UN deployed peacekeepers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-95), helping to manage ethnic conflicts.
2. It established the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia to prosecute war crimes, including Slobodan Milosevic.
3. The UN helped resolve the Kosovo conflict (1998-99), leading to Kosovo’s recognition as independent.
4. It facilitated the 1994 nuclear freeze agreement with North Korea, a rare diplomatic success.
5. Limitations include failure to prevent genocides in Rwanda, Sudan, and ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Iraq.
6. Post-2003 Iraq invasion without UN approval marked decline in UN’s authority and effectiveness.

3. Analyse the challenges faced by multilateral organisations in protecting human rights and maintaining international order. Suggest reforms.

1. Contradiction in membership – countries violating human rights sit on human rights committees, undermining credibility.
2. Selective attention to crises, e.g., multiple emergency sessions on Palestine but none on Sudan, Rwanda, or Cambodia.
3. Veto power blocks interventions in human rights abuses and conflicts, limiting enforcement capability.
4. Reforms suggested include expanding permanent Security Council membership and revising or abolishing veto power.
5. Need for transparent, merit-based selection of committee members and stronger accountability mechanisms.
6. Calls for a new multilateral framework reflecting current geopolitical realities and multipolarity.

4. Estimate the significance of multipolarity in shaping future global governance and the relevance of existing international institutions like the United Nations.

1. Multipolarity reflects the rise of multiple centers of power beyond US dominance (e.g., China, EU, Russia).
2. Existing UN structure, designed for post-WWII bipolarity, struggles to accommodate new power dynamics.
3. Declining attendance by key leaders (Xi Jinping, Putin) signals reduced UN influence in multipolar world.
4. Multipolarity demands new multilateralism with flexible, inclusive institutions beyond traditional UN frameworks.
5. UN remains relevant for global cooperation but requires visionary reforms or replacement to address complex challenges.
6. Historical precedent – League of Nations replaced by UN after WWII; similarly, a new system may be needed now.