The UN and the Puzzle Of World Problems
By Kiran Ali • Dec 28th, 2008 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 10 CommentsThe UN, designed right after the Second World War, was basically to serve as a barrier against the third world war. The UN Charter , however , the document which was to serve as the constitution of the world organization , enclosed other functions too , that were binding upon the body. The UN hierarchy , in fact , was designed to consist of an entire system of quasi and semi autonomous bodies each being assigned a particular function that would be vital to the world we live in.
Be it terrorism , hunger , disease , population , children , self determination , poverty or the use of force between states , the UN today is a body that is looked up to when ever a significant concern surfaces the world scenario.
It’s been only sixty three years since the organization has come in to function and like all the other multilateral institutions in the world , it suffers from numerous weaknesses and drawbacks.
One of the strengths , the UN Systems enjoys , however , is that it is a supranational organization in a true sense. This means that it encompases the concerns of all the states in the world and unlike the European Union , it’s membership is open to all the nations of the world.
All said and done , however , the realities of the world politics would always remain a constant and the rule of morality and international law , always a variant. This means that realism and self interest are bound to reign upon the real essense of humanity, which the UN offered to portray.
The UN , for example , may offer to halt all agressiveness , illegimate use of force or the violation of a state’s sovereignity by another , but if we look at the episode of the US invasion on Iraq 2003 or the current series of pressure building over Pakistan by India, we would hold our breaths.
The Kashmir Issue is also a case in point where a billion efforts have met failure in the face. We can draw an analogy between this issue and the Falkland Islands Case where despite the UN establishing the right of Argentina over the islands , the Great Britain gained control over the territory through aggression. It can therefore be said that as long as India continues to pose as a shark in the international waters Pakistan would never gain this Muslim majority area which was it’s property since independence.
Similarly , if we look at terrorism as another world problem , we can rightly say that it is the cummulative effect of the decades of UN failure towards the unjust power politics in the Middle East by the US and Israel. Being subjected to long periods of colonialism by the Western powers the poor in such countries may have no choice but to voice their grieviances through blowing themselves.
Researchers say that modification of the UN especially it’s Veto System is the key to addressing most of the political challenges. Changes in the international order such as the growing power of China and it’s rising against the hegemonic tendency of the US can also create hope for the world.
The question is that , as world citizens , should we wait for the international order to change or for the world leaders to create a better UN until the fire of injustice rises in fury.
As a world society , my suggestion is that we empower our selves to create pressure for approaching these issues. The efforts of the world society for the cancellation of the third world debt known as the jubilee 2000 is one of it’s success stories and it can also work in the case of other global concerns.
The UN my not be seen as a complete failure since it plays it’s humanitarian role in the best manner. It’s traditional role , however , requires the power of the people or a push at the open diplomacy. Something we can all contribute towards.
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well, the fact that UN is impotent as far as addressing the issues of international politics is concerned is known to all and sundry. There is inherent weakness in it’s structure. The UN Security Council comprises a handful of countries wielding enough economic and financial and military clout. The situation has reached wherein rich and powerful countries make their decisions and get it stamped by the UN. For example even after 60 years of our independence from the British, both India and Pakistan is still grappling with the issue of Jammu and Kashmir…though the two parties agreed in the first place to resolve this dispute by holding a referendum. The matter is still unresolved and both the countries fought many wars. In this instance the UN resolution is there but both the countries as well as the international community has agreed to settle this dispute through a regional negotiated settlement. Now, let us see in the case of East Timor which gained Independence a couple of years back from Indonesia wherein the Australians intervened militarily and their actions were supported by the UN. So, my logic here is simply that there is no representation of Muslim bloc countries in the UN as such it is easy for the western world to arm-twist Muslim countries into submission (the other example being Iraq where the US intervened militarily and then got approved its actions through a UN mandate).
Even the talks going on regarding UN reform only talks about including countries such as India, Brazil etc. in the expanded Security Council:the highest decision making body at the UN. Still there is no talk of inclusion of countries from the Muslim bloc.
Today, Israel has launched airs trike with tacit approval from the US and other western powers against the besieged Gazans who have been living in a state of siege for the last 18 months. There are news that due to stoppages of food and fuel supplies, there is no bread available in the territory. Not to forget the fact that in todays ‘ strike almost 200 civilians have died including women and children.
So, it is for everyone to see for themselves that UN as an institution is dead and it would be apt to write an obituary instead of an eulogy!
http://muslimindiablog.blogspot.com/
How effective United Nation is clear from the recent killings in Gaza by Israel. Not a single word from United Nations to condemn it. However, UN is always ver quick to condemn Hamas rocket fires.
UN heirarchy
state’s sovereignty
Supranational organization
Empower…
It seems Kiran you just studied this in class in your university didn’t you? Used some big words there. I’m impressed !
@Ahmed
“”"Not a single word from United Nations to condemn it.”"”
Similarly NOT A SINGLE MUSLIM CONDEMN HAMAS ACTION.
Remember hamas STARTED THE LATEST ROUND OF BLOODSHED by firing 70 rockets in Israel.
It fits the BILL PERFECTLY.
Islamist FIRST COMMIT A BIG CRIME…….
When others retaliate they PLAY THE VICTIM ROLE to perfection……and also try to hide their crimes through lies and conspiracy theories….
GUESS WHAT!!
Your game is up!……..no more drama..
P.S: I condemn latest round of bloodshed by Israel……but make no mistake hamas started it.
Hi, This is for you Incredible Indian….”Massacre in Gaza: 275 Killed” posted on my blog, ‘http://muslimindiablog.blogspot.com/’. I am Indian and feel the pain every time there is a massacre in India or elsewhere. If you think that what the Israelis have done yesterday and today stands justified because Hamas indulged in rocket throwing…then my advice would be for you to get a mental check-up quickly.
You dont’ know what the people in Gaza have gone through even during the so called period of negotiated truce for the last 6 months…just pick-up some newspapers and read the news about Israeli blockade and cutting of fuel and food supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip.
This blockade is in place for the last 18 months and there are news that due to shortage of flour in Gaza , most of the bakeries have closed. NO BREAD IN GAZA!
The atrocities committed by the Israelis amounts to collective punishment of entire population in Gaza.
Hope you come to senses and hear the voice of your conscience and will condemn this disproportionate use of force by Israelis.
http://muslimindiablog.blogspot.com/2008/12/massacre-in-gaza-275-killed.html
@arif ahmad
i have already condemmed the israeli action.
read the last line of the above post.
i wanna point out a far bigger problem- DENIAL MENTALITY OF PAKISTANIS.
Kiran,
As you have correctly pointed out the issue of Kashmir, why don’t you also look at the resolution passed by UN earlier which were binding on Pakistan and India both.
This is the write-up from the UN resolution:
“RESTORATION OF PEACE AND ORDER
1. The Government of Pakistan should undertake to use its best endeavours:
(a) to secure the withdrawal from the State of Jammu and Kashmir of tribesmen and Pakistani nationals not normally resident therein who have entered the State for the purpose of fighting and to prevent any intrusion into the State of such elements and any furnishing of material aid to those fighting in the State;
(b) To make known to all concerned that the measures indicated in this and the following paragraphs provide full freedom to all subjects of the State, regardless of creed, caste, or party, to express their views and to vote on the question of the accession of the State, and that therefore they should co-operate in the maintenance of peace and order.
2. The Government of India should:
(a) When it is established to the satisfaction of the Commission set up in accordance with the Council’s resolution of 20 January that the tribesmen are withdrawing and that arrangements for the cessation of the fighting have become effective, put into operation in consultation with the Commission a plan for withdrawing their own forces from Jammu and Kashmir and reducing them progressively to the minimum strength required for the support of the civil power in the maintenance of law and order:
(b) Make known that the withdrawal is taking place in stages and announce the completion of each stage;
(c) When the Indian forces shall have been reduced to the minimum strength mentioned in (a) above, arrange in consultation with the commission for the stationing of the remaining forces to be carried out in accordance with the following principles:
(i) That the presence of troops should not afford any intimidation or appearance of intimidation to the inhabitants of the States;
(ii) That as small a number as possible should be retained in forward areas;
(iii) That any reserve of troops which may be included in the total strength should be located within their present base area.”
Is Pakistan ready to this, if this is done then we will have a solution on Kashmir Issue.
> my suggestion is that we empower our selves
I suspect it’s not going to change by those already in control of the UN. I suspect a new organization is required, something like this…
http://www.UnitedDemocraticNations.org
This is just a mockup I did of a UN based around the principle of democracy. I’d be interested in feedback.
gary