differences the role UN and NATO

• Purpose and founding aims

  • UN: Founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, human rights, and international cooperation across all countries.➤ Example: The UN Charter includes goals on development, peacekeeping, and human rights (e.g., SDGs).
  • NATO: Founded in 1949 as a military alliance to provide collective defence for Western democracies.➤ Example: Article 5 (collective defence clause) invoked only once, after 9/11.
• Scope of action

  • UN: Global membership (193 states), involved in peacekeeping, diplomacy, and humanitarian aid.➤ Example: UN peacekeeping missions in Mali, South Sudan, DRC.
  • NATO: Regional (31 members), focuses on military intervention and defence, mainly in Europe and North America.➤ Example: NATO led military action in Libya (2011) and continues to support Ukraine’s defence against Russia.
• Decision-making power

  • UN: Decisions require consensus, especially in the Security Council where P5 veto powers cause gridlock.➤ Example: Russia’s veto has blocked action on Syria and Ukraine.
  • NATO: More efficient and consensus-driven among like-minded states.➤ Example: NATO’s quick military response to Kosovo crisis in 1999.