Effectiveness of the United Nations

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In summary: WMDs...gets a pass, but Israel, with all its violations, gets condemned.In summary, the UN is ineffective in preventing genocide because its component nations cannot be relied on to take action. The UN also fails to condemn Israel for its violations of human rights.
  • #36
Though I have a strong opinion on the issue, I think this Palestine statehood/ICC issue at best doesn't have a lot of relevance or at worst argues against your point because though the US objected, the measure still passed. This shows a lack of American/Western hegemony over the UN's operations.

I read a good Op-Ed on CNN.com this morning about Egypt's constitution and it made a point that is salient to this thread. The article sympathized with the Egyptian people over the fact that they haven't gotten what they wanted out of their revolution, which produced a constitution that would codify fundamentalist principals and restrict freeddom. The commentary was this:

The framers of the Egyptian constitution misunderstand democracy. Democracy is not about majority rule, it is about freedom, equality and the rule of law. While theoretically any system could provide these things, in practice none ever does except democracy. So that's why democracy exists. And the converse is also true: though Democracy is the only system that reliably provides these things, if done wrong it can restrict them just as surely as other systems do. And that's what happened (is trying to happeng) in Egypt.

That's what I see happening here, with the UN on Palestine and in other cases. The UN is doing democrcacy wrong. The UN is a democracy that does not protect the principles for which democracy was created to protect. Instead, it operates on majority rule even if the majority can't agree to protect those who need to be protected (Rwanda) or worse, acts or tries to act against them (Israel).

I'll liken this to a KKK rally, without intending an actual comparison of the KKK to another entity, besides simply the fact that it is unpopular. Rule of law, equality and freedom require a government to not only allow the KKK to demonstrate, but actively protect it from harm while it is does so. A too-literal interpretation of democracy would enable the police to either ignore a violent clash with counter-demonstrators (who typically outnumber KKK members in such circumstances) or worse, participate in the clash.

There are a lot more oppressive governments in the world than there are governments that protect democratic principles. And even some that profess to be democratic actually use democracy to suppress democratic principles. In my view, the ineptitude of the UN is largely a reflection of this fact. The UN does democracy wrong because most of the world does it wrong. But it is a two-pronged problem:

1. If the countries in the UN took seriously their mandate, then actions such as stopping the Rwanda genocide would be a no-brainer. They'd happen rapidly and with wide support, being driven by multiple parties simultaneously.
2. Since #1 doesn't happen, the US should do it and typically is the one to do it. People line-up and follow the big-kid, even while complaining that he's overbearing. The cruel irony though is that small actions such as Libya or Rwanda don't actually require the US to be the leader. Any major world power could have picked-up the UN flag and carried it into those fights*. For that reason, I consider criticism of the US by other westerners on that basis hypocritical, unfair and really just plain incorrect.

*Point of clarification: It is my understanding that we played a larger role in Libya than Obama wanted because our military has specialized operations capabilities others do not. But this just means:
1. Other countries would carry more risk if we weren't involved. France, who I undertand did want to lead the effort, could have done it, they just would have had to put their pilots in harms way to do it.
2. The lack of capabilities is a long-term implication of the same choice. It becomes a circular/self-reinforcing proposition: If a country like France chooses to step up and be a leader, they'll have to build their military back up in order to do it effectively.
 
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  • #37
A little more: The US objection is based on opposition to what we see as a tyranny of the majority. In response, we are trying to take the role of benevolent dictator.

An, democracy doesn't mean that you have to stop trying to get your way once the majority rules. The US can use whatever legal means is available to continue to fight. And illegal ones in limited cases as well. It is common in the US, for example for people to deliberately break a law to force a court challenge...

...Which by the way is also somethimg the UN lacks, which is part of the problem here: no independent judicial oversight and limited separation of powers.
 
  • #38
Since this thread cannot remain on topic, it is closed.
 
<h2>1. How effective is the United Nations in preventing conflicts?</h2><p>The effectiveness of the United Nations in preventing conflicts varies depending on the specific situation and the actions taken by member states. The UN has a number of mechanisms in place, such as peacekeeping operations and diplomatic efforts, to prevent conflicts and promote peace. However, its success in this regard is often hindered by political and financial constraints.</p><h2>2. What role does the United Nations play in promoting human rights?</h2><p>The United Nations has a strong commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. It has established the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various human rights treaties, and has a Human Rights Council to monitor and address human rights violations. However, the effectiveness of the UN in this area is limited by the lack of enforcement mechanisms and the varying levels of commitment from member states.</p><h2>3. How does the United Nations address global issues such as climate change?</h2><p>The United Nations plays a key role in addressing global issues such as climate change through its agencies, programs, and initiatives. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement are examples of international agreements facilitated by the UN to address climate change. However, the effectiveness of these efforts is often hindered by political divisions and lack of cooperation from some member states.</p><h2>4. Does the United Nations have the authority to enforce its decisions?</h2><p>The United Nations has limited authority to enforce its decisions, as it relies on the cooperation and compliance of member states. The UN Security Council, with its power to authorize military action, is the most powerful decision-making body within the UN. However, its decisions are often influenced by the interests of its permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States).</p><h2>5. How does the United Nations address humanitarian crises?</h2><p>The United Nations has a number of agencies and programs dedicated to addressing humanitarian crises, such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These agencies provide aid and support to those affected by crises, but their effectiveness is often hindered by political and financial constraints.</p>

1. How effective is the United Nations in preventing conflicts?

The effectiveness of the United Nations in preventing conflicts varies depending on the specific situation and the actions taken by member states. The UN has a number of mechanisms in place, such as peacekeeping operations and diplomatic efforts, to prevent conflicts and promote peace. However, its success in this regard is often hindered by political and financial constraints.

2. What role does the United Nations play in promoting human rights?

The United Nations has a strong commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. It has established the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various human rights treaties, and has a Human Rights Council to monitor and address human rights violations. However, the effectiveness of the UN in this area is limited by the lack of enforcement mechanisms and the varying levels of commitment from member states.

3. How does the United Nations address global issues such as climate change?

The United Nations plays a key role in addressing global issues such as climate change through its agencies, programs, and initiatives. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement are examples of international agreements facilitated by the UN to address climate change. However, the effectiveness of these efforts is often hindered by political divisions and lack of cooperation from some member states.

4. Does the United Nations have the authority to enforce its decisions?

The United Nations has limited authority to enforce its decisions, as it relies on the cooperation and compliance of member states. The UN Security Council, with its power to authorize military action, is the most powerful decision-making body within the UN. However, its decisions are often influenced by the interests of its permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States).

5. How does the United Nations address humanitarian crises?

The United Nations has a number of agencies and programs dedicated to addressing humanitarian crises, such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). These agencies provide aid and support to those affected by crises, but their effectiveness is often hindered by political and financial constraints.

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