Problems of UN

• UN in General

  • Forces supplied their members' national armies as required

  Wear blue helmets. 2016: Over 95,000 from 120 countries.

  MSC advise council on deployment of forces.

  • Need majority 9 out of 15 - except if international security decision = simple majority + agreement of 5 permanent members - right of veto for them against their own interests.
  • All major powers members of UN (USA+USSR)

  Criticism from new emerging superpowers like Brazil and India.
• The Security Council:

  • Gives Western powers greater influence - does not reflect changes.
  • No Latin American, African or Middle Eastern countries on Security Council
  • Cold war limited UN:

  1946 to 1991 - USSR used veto 114 times and USA 96 times.

  1945 to 1985 - 13 peacekeeping operations vs. 1988 to 2015 - 36 peacekeeping operations.

  • 1949: Chinese Communist Revolution:

  Nationalist escape to Taiwan - Taiwan permanent member until 1971 when people's republic of China replaced it because USA, GB, France vetoed change.
• The General Assembly

  • 1946 to 1955 - USSR used veto 75 times - blocking new countries joining the UN - too many aligned with the West
  • Increase in LEDCs (Less Economically Developed Countries) because of European empire collapses - slight impact to balance of power
  • Nations voted onto the Security council in less important matters

  Can out-vote permanent members