Has the reform of the economic and social arrangements of the United Nations been effective?. (UPSC CSE Mains 2015- Political Science and International Relations, Paper 2)
UN’s role as a global governance mechanism is of paramount importance. He singled out several merits of UN such as preventing escalation of the Cold War, participation in peace-keeping efforts, preventing intensification of security problems into global conflagration, aiding in strategic consultation, setting norms for decolonisation and disarmament, and so on. Richly appreciating the role played by the United Nations, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament now, and a former UN Under Secretary General, has said that the call of the hour is a “renewed” and by no means, a “retired” UN.
- The collective security model on which the UN is based is plagued by two problems: big power dominance and selective engagement.
- However smaller states are still victims to the politics of big states. In 1945, the UN was an organisation of ‘states’ and non-state actor.
- The UN has made remarkable contributions but what it has not done is to create obligations for developed countries besides from the official development assistance targets as opposed to aspirations and targets for developing countries.
- UN is the most sophisticated and successful human experiment. It is undoubtedly the cornerstone of international architecture. But like the curate’s egg, it is only good in parts. When things go right, the UN takes credit but when things go wrong it is the fault of the member states. Hence, it is held that there is an internal credibility gap between the achievement and objective of the United Nations. But, the flip side is we cannot blame the UN for what it is not responsible. We live in a more multipolar world unlike in the times when the UN was formed between the binary of the victorious and the vanquished.
- UN must attain its Millennium Development Goals, must devise ways of securing consent more easily from members, the members in its permanent bodies (General Assembly and Security Council) must have seats representing its share of population in the world and legal clarity must be brought in its various declarations.
- Smaller states are still victims to the politics of big states. In 1945, the UN was an organisation of ‘states’ and non-state actors had not come to the fore. This has changed and demands equivalent adaptations in the workings of the UN.
- The Impact of Global Conflicts on UN Reform Efforts:
- Geopolitical conflicts and tensions among major powers can significantly affect UN reform efforts. For example, disputes between Russia and Western countries, such as those related to Ukraineor Syria, can hinder cooperation on broader reform issues.
- These conflicts divert attention and resources away from the reform agenda, making it difficult to find common ground.
- The Role of Regional Powers in Influencing the UN''s Agenda:
- Regional powers, both those with and without permanent seats on the Security Council, play a significant role in influencing the UN''s agenda and reform efforts.
- These countries often advocate for reforms that align with their own regional interests and priorities. This can lead to competing agendas and complex negotiations within the UN, further complicating reform initiatives.
The United Nations (UN) is facing a crisis of relevance in addressing global conflicts and crises. The current structure and functioning of the UN hinder its ability to effectively address emerging challenges. Structural reform is essential to restore the UN''s importance and effectiveness in international politics.
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