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Question
‘Reforming the UN means restructuring of the Security Council’. Do you agree with this statement? Give arguments for or against this position.
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Solution
The global politics has undergone a drastic change ever since the inception of the United Nations. Over the years, there have been a lot of discussions and deliberations on reforming the UN Security Council.
a. The UN Security Council, as argued, doesn’t represent the contemporary global realities and needs to be more representative in nature. The USSR has collapsed and US has emerged as the supreme leader, while India and China are emerging as the key global players and potential economic powers. Many new countries have become members of the UN. Further, the Asian economies are also expanding exponentially. Thus, exigencies of the present demand restructuring of United Nations.
b. Security Council, in its present form, reflects western values and beliefs; therefore, it is important to have representation from the Asian societies to make it universal in character.
c. It lacks equitable representation as it represents the interests of the western developed countries more than those of the developing countries; therefore, there is a need to expand its membership.
d. Countries like India, Japan and Brazil are seeking permanent membership in the SC. There must also be representation from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
e. Also, there have been suggestions on scrapping the veto power which is an exclusive privilege enjoyed by the permanent members. It is argued that the veto power is the most undemocratic instrument that creates differences between the members of the UN. It has allowed the world powers to wield more authority and power. Abolishing the veto will be a step towards a fair and equitable representation of all the nation states.
f. The voting procedure and rules of the Security Council must also undergo a change. The decisions must be taken by majority of the permanent members as well as the non-permanent members. Presently, a negative vote by any of the permanent members can stall the entire proceedings.
On the other hand, there is also an argument that restructuring the Security Council will not be an easy task.
• Even though a criterion regarding the admission of more members have been discussed, but how to implement it is still under consideration. This is because of the various questions like how big an economic or military power should be and what is the scope of equitable representation.
• Likewise, scrapping the veto power will not be a solution as the major powers and countries may, most likely, lose interest on the international body and cut down their financial, logistics and military contribution.
• It is equally difficult to reach at a consensus regarding the membership of new states. For example, India’s claim is not supported by Pakistan, and some feel that if India is included, then claims of Brazil and Japan should also be met.
Nevertheless, there is a need to move beyond the status quo and make the Security Council more effective by transforming its nature and scope.
a. The UN Security Council, as argued, doesn’t represent the contemporary global realities and needs to be more representative in nature. The USSR has collapsed and US has emerged as the supreme leader, while India and China are emerging as the key global players and potential economic powers. Many new countries have become members of the UN. Further, the Asian economies are also expanding exponentially. Thus, exigencies of the present demand restructuring of United Nations.
b. Security Council, in its present form, reflects western values and beliefs; therefore, it is important to have representation from the Asian societies to make it universal in character.
c. It lacks equitable representation as it represents the interests of the western developed countries more than those of the developing countries; therefore, there is a need to expand its membership.
d. Countries like India, Japan and Brazil are seeking permanent membership in the SC. There must also be representation from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
e. Also, there have been suggestions on scrapping the veto power which is an exclusive privilege enjoyed by the permanent members. It is argued that the veto power is the most undemocratic instrument that creates differences between the members of the UN. It has allowed the world powers to wield more authority and power. Abolishing the veto will be a step towards a fair and equitable representation of all the nation states.
f. The voting procedure and rules of the Security Council must also undergo a change. The decisions must be taken by majority of the permanent members as well as the non-permanent members. Presently, a negative vote by any of the permanent members can stall the entire proceedings.
b. Security Council, in its present form, reflects western values and beliefs; therefore, it is important to have representation from the Asian societies to make it universal in character.
c. It lacks equitable representation as it represents the interests of the western developed countries more than those of the developing countries; therefore, there is a need to expand its membership.
d. Countries like India, Japan and Brazil are seeking permanent membership in the SC. There must also be representation from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
e. Also, there have been suggestions on scrapping the veto power which is an exclusive privilege enjoyed by the permanent members. It is argued that the veto power is the most undemocratic instrument that creates differences between the members of the UN. It has allowed the world powers to wield more authority and power. Abolishing the veto will be a step towards a fair and equitable representation of all the nation states.
f. The voting procedure and rules of the Security Council must also undergo a change. The decisions must be taken by majority of the permanent members as well as the non-permanent members. Presently, a negative vote by any of the permanent members can stall the entire proceedings.
On the other hand, there is also an argument that restructuring the Security Council will not be an easy task.
• Even though a criterion regarding the admission of more members have been discussed, but how to implement it is still under consideration. This is because of the various questions like how big an economic or military power should be and what is the scope of equitable representation.
• Likewise, scrapping the veto power will not be a solution as the major powers and countries may, most likely, lose interest on the international body and cut down their financial, logistics and military contribution.
• It is equally difficult to reach at a consensus regarding the membership of new states. For example, India’s claim is not supported by Pakistan, and some feel that if India is included, then claims of Brazil and Japan should also be met.
• Likewise, scrapping the veto power will not be a solution as the major powers and countries may, most likely, lose interest on the international body and cut down their financial, logistics and military contribution.
• It is equally difficult to reach at a consensus regarding the membership of new states. For example, India’s claim is not supported by Pakistan, and some feel that if India is included, then claims of Brazil and Japan should also be met.
Nevertheless, there is a need to move beyond the status quo and make the Security Council more effective by transforming its nature and scope.
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