United Nations

Consider: Collective Security, Internationalism & Supranationalism

Thursday, May 23, 13

Possible essay question

• Some individuals believe that the United Nations should intervene in civil wars and ethnic conflicts that occur within nations. Other individuals believe that the United Nations should not interfere in the internal disputes of any nation under any circumstances.

• To what extent should the United Nations intervene in civil wars and ethnic conflicts?

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Thursday, May 23, 13

Thursday, May 23, 13

UN Budget

Thursday, May 23, 13

UN Budget

• 2004 was $1.5 billion

Thursday, May 23, 13

UN Budget

• 2004 was $1.5 billion • No country can pay less than 0.01% of the

regular budget; the majority of UN members, which are regarded as ‘poor’, pay at this minimum level.

Thursday, May 23, 13

UN Budget

• 2004 was $1.5 billion • No country can pay less than 0.01% of the

regular budget; the majority of UN members, which are regarded as ‘poor’, pay at this minimum level.

• Any member state that owes more than its two previous years’ assessments cannot vote in the General Assembly. (Theory)

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Budget (cont’d)

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Budget (cont’d)

• The $11.9 billion spent by the UN system in 2001 for all its worldwide responsibilities.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Budget (cont’d)

• The $11.9 billion spent by the UN system in 2001 for all its worldwide responsibilities.

• $2.7 billion spent on peacekeeping in 2001 = New York City’s police budget.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Budget (cont’d)

• The $11.9 billion spent by the UN system in 2001 for all its worldwide responsibilities.

• $2.7 billion spent on peacekeeping in 2001 = New York City’s police budget.

• http://www.newint.org/issue375/facts.htm

Thursday, May 23, 13

Origin of the United Nations

• Roosevelt’s 4 Freedoms• Atlantic Charter• Washington Pact 1942• Dumbarton Oaks/Yalta/San Francisco

prior to end of WW II• http://www.un.org/aboutun/charter/

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Those “Four Freedoms”:

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Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech,

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Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship,

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Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship, 3. freedom from want, and

Thursday, May 23, 13

Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship, 3. freedom from want, and 4. freedom from fear.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship, 3. freedom from want, and 4. freedom from fear.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship, 3. freedom from want, and 4. freedom from fear.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship, 3. freedom from want, and 4. freedom from fear.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship, 3. freedom from want, and 4. freedom from fear.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship, 3. freedom from want, and 4. freedom from fear.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship, 3. freedom from want, and 4. freedom from fear.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship, 3. freedom from want, and 4. freedom from fear.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Those “Four Freedoms”:

1. freedom of speech, 2. freedom of worship, 3. freedom from want, and 4. freedom from fear.

Thursday, May 23, 13

Thursday, May 23, 13

Organs of the United Nations

• Security Council– Most important– China, Russia, USA, Great Britain, France

(5 permanent)– 10 other nations on rotation for two years– Political and military decisions

Thursday, May 23, 13

Organs of the United Nations

• Security Council– Most important– China, Russia, USA, Great Britain, France

(5 permanent)– 10 other nations on rotation for two years– Political and military decisions

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• General Assembly– Each nation = 5 delegates = 1 vote– 2/3 majority can over-turn veto of S. C.– Elects non-permanent members to S. C.– Embodies the spirit of a universal

organization

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• General Assembly– Each nation = 5 delegates = 1 vote– 2/3 majority can over-turn veto of S. C.– Elects non-permanent members to S. C.– Embodies the spirit of a universal

organization

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• Secretary General– Head of administration of UN– Sits in S.C. but no vote– Brings to the attention of the S.C. security

matters

Ban Ki-moon

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• International Court of Justice– The Hague, Netherlands– Parties must voluntarily submit to court– Mediation– http://www.icj-cij.org/

Thursday, May 23, 13

• International Court of Justice– The Hague, Netherlands– Parties must voluntarily submit to court– Mediation– http://www.icj-cij.org/

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• Economic and Social Council– Non-military threats to security– Deals with a very wide range of bodies: from

UNESCO to WHO and in between– http://www.un.org/documents/ecosoc.htm

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The New UN?

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1. Permanent military2. Greater role in global issues3. Peace building: address illegal arms trade.4. USA’s relationship with UN.5. Become more interventionist: human

rights versus national sovereignty. 6. The S.C.7. The need to make IFIs subservient to the

UN not equal to them.

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Present UN Peacekeeping Missions

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Peacekeeping

• Since 1945 UN has launched 59 peacekeeping missions, of which 16 were still active in July 2004.

• Countries are reimbursed by the UN at the rate of $1,000 per soldier/month.

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