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A.
Only the permanent members of the Security Council possess the veto power.B.
It’s a kind of negative power.C.
The Secretary-General uses this power when not satisfied with any decision.D.
One veto can stall a Security Council resolution.D.
India’s growing economic power and stable political system.A.
General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs2. The Council can investigate disputes and recommend means of settling them peacefully.
3. If a country attacks another country it can apply a variety of sanctions against that country such as severence of diplomatic relations or taking of collective military measures.
4. Secretary General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.
2. India is the world’s largest democracy.
3. India has participated in virtually all of the initiatives of the UN.
4. Its role in the UN’s peacekeeping efforts is significant.
5. India's economic emergence on the world stage is another factor perhaps justifies its claim.
6. India has made regular financial contributions to the UN and has never faltered on its payments.
2. Similarly as the UN is a world body, question arises how representation should be given to Asia, Africa, Latin., America and Caribbean. Most of the developing countries that have joined the UN after the Second World War belong to these continents. These countries constitute majority in the UN members. Selection of the basis of representation i.e., geography, economic development, culture or civilisation etc. creates a problem.
3. Similar differences exist about the veto power in the Security Council. Without Veto Power, the great powers would lose interest in the UN.
(i) The UN can and has served to bring the US which is a sole superpower and the rest of the world into discussions over various issues.
(ii) The UN has brought together over 190 nations in dealing with conflict and social and economic development.
(iii) The UN provides to countries except USA an arena in which it is possible to modify US attitudes and policies. Although countries are rarely united against the US, the UN does provide a stage where arguments against specific US attitudes and policies are heard and compromises and concessions can be shaped.
(iv) In the modern world of globalisation or interdependence, the UN is helpful for seven billion people to live together. Technology will increase interdependence. In such a situation the UN will be helpful in finding ways which are consistent with the interests of a country with the interests of the international community.
(i) The UN’s main objective is to prevent international conflict and to facilitate cooperation among states. This objective is being realised by the Security Council who maintains international peace and security. The Council tries to settle various disputes peacefully. However, it can take different types of actions against the aggressor including applying of sanctions or severing of diplomatic relations.
(ii) The Secretaiy General who is main functionary of the UN is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendations of the Security Council.
(iii) The decisions of the Security Council are binding on all UN members whereas decisions of the General Assembly which has representatives of all the member countries are not binding.
(iv) Various other organisations and bodies such as International Atomic Energy Agency reports to Security Council too.
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Ban Ki- Moon is the present Secretary General and he is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.
| A. Security Council | (i) 192 members |
| B. General Assembly | (ii) 54 seats |
| C. Economic & Social Council | (iii) 15 Judges |
| D. International Court of Justice | (iv) 15 members |
A. Security Council | (i) 15 members |
B. General Assembly | (ii) 192 members |
C. Economic & Social Council | (iii) 54 seats |
D. International Court of Justice | (iv) 15 Judges |
''International Labour Organisation'' was set up in 1996 as the successor to the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs.
Who said it?
Five permanent members are – the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France and China.
These states were selected as permanent members because they were the most powerful immediately after the Second World War and they constituted the victors in the war.
(iii) Demand from European countries for improvements in the UN budgetary procedures and its administration.
(ii) Dag HammarskjOld (1953-61) Sweden
(iii) U Thant (1961 -1971) Burma (Mynmar)
(iv) Kurt Waldheim (1972-1981) (Austria)
(v) Javier Perez de Cuellar (1982-1991) Pern
(vi) Boutros Boutros-Ghali (1992-1996) Egypt
(vii) Kofi A. Annan (1997-2006) Ghana
(viii) Ban Ki-Moon (2007-) South Korea.
“Talking shop ? Yes. there are a lot of speeches and meetings at the UN, especially during the annual sessions of the General Assembly. But as Churchill put it, jaw-jaw is better than war-war. Isn’t it better to have one place where all... countries in the world can get together, bore each other sometimes with their words rather than bore holes into each other on the battlefield ?”
(i) Who said it ?
(ii) What is the need for international organisations like the UNO ?
(ii)International organisations is needed for the following reasons :
(a) International organisations help member states resolve their problems peacefully.
(b) There are problems and issues such as global warming, eradication of a disease, which can be dealt with when everyone works together.
4. International Court of Justice
5. Trusteeship Council
6. Secretariat
(i) Disintegration of the Sovjet Union.
(ii) The US has become the strongest power.
(iii) Cooperation between Russia and USA.
(iv) China’s emergence as a great power.
(v) Increase in the membership of UNO to 192.
(vi) New challenges such as genocide, civil war, ethnic conflict have emerged.
(b) Its decisions reflect only Western values and interests and are dominated by a few powers.
(c) It lacks equitable representation.
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(ii) It works for human development (education and health), agriculture and rural development (irrigation and rural services), environment protection, infrastructures and governance.
(iii) It provides loans and grants to the member countries. In this way, it exercises enormous influence over the policies of the developing countries.
(iv) It is often criticised for setting the economic agenda of the poorer nations, attaching stringent conditions to its loans and forcing free market reforms.
The permanent members do not agree to abolish or modify the Veto system because if abolished or modified, the great powers would lose interest in the UN and they would do what they pleased outside it, and that without their support and involvement the body would be UN ineffective.
What steps should be taken to make the UN more relevant in the changing context ?
(i) Creation of a Peacebuilding Commission.
(ii) Acceptance of the responsibility of the international community in case of failures of national government to protect their own citizen from atrocities.
(iii) Establishment of a Human Right Council.
(iv) Agreements to achieve Millennium Development Goals.
(v) Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
(vi) Creation of a Democracy Fund.
(vii) An agreement to wind up the Trusteeship Council.
The humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan since 2003 has attracted empty promises by the international Community.
(i) How do you think the UN can intervene in situations like this ?
(ii) Would that require a change in its jurisdicition ?
(ii) There is a need for a change in its jurisdiction because these situations fall under the jurisdiction of the General Assembly. The decisions of the General Assemebly are not binding on UN members. As there should be a change and the decisions of the General Assembly should be made binding on its members. This will enable the General Assembly to intervene in such situation in an effective manner.
(i) In which continent peacekeeping missions has been maximum ?
(ii)Where should the UN peacekeeping forces be deployed ?
(i) African continent.
(ii)UN peacekeepers should be deployed in Asia, Africa and South America.
(ii) It sets the rules for global trade and it has 157 members as on 1 september,2012.
(iii) All decisions are taken unanimously but major economic powers such as the US, European Union and Japan have managed to use the WTO to frame rules of trade to advance their own interests.
(iv) The developing countries complain of its non-transparent procedures and being pushed around by powers.
(i) India believes in strenghthened and rivaltalised UN is desirable in changing world.
(ii) India believes that the UN should pay more attention towards development as it is vital precondition for maintenance of international peace and security.
(iii) The overwhelming majority of the UN General Assembly members are now developing countries. Therefore India argues that they should also have role in shaping the decision of the Security Council which affects them.
(iv) India supports an increase in the number of permanent and non permanent members of the Security Council.
Examine the influence of US in UNO.
The US influence are summarised below:
(i) With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the US is the only superpower. Its military and economic power makes it so strong and powerful that it can ignore the UN or any other international organisations.
(ii) Within the UN, the influence of the US is considerable because it is the single largest contributor to the UN with unmatched financial power. The headquarters of the UN is in Washington, USA. US has many nationals in UN bureaucracy. The US has Veto power and can stop any move that it finds annoying or damaging to its interests or the interests of its friends and allies.
| A. Economic and Social Council | (i) Oversees the global financial system |
| B. International Court of Justice | (ii) Preservation of international peace and security |
| C. International Atomic Energy Agency | (iii) Looks into the economic and social welfare of the member countries |
| D. Security Council | (iv) Safety and peaceful use of nuclear technology |
| E. UN High Commission for Refugees | (v) Resolves disputes between and among member countries |
A. Economic and Social Council | (i) Looks into the economic and social welfare of the member countries |
B. International Court of Justice | (ii) Resolves disputes between and among member countries |
C. International Atomic Energy Agency | (iii) Safety and peaceful use of nuclear technology |
D. Security Council | (iv) Preservation of international peace and security |
E. UN High Commission for Refugees
| (v) |
Match the principal organs and agencies of the UN with their functions:
| A. World Trade Organisation | (i) Providing good health for all. |
| B. International Monetary Fund | (ii) Oversees the global financial system. |
| C. General Assembly | (iii) Provides shelter and medical help during emergencies |
| D. World Health Organisation | (iv) Providing good health for all |
| E. Secretariat | (v) Debates and discusses global issues. |
A. World Trade Organisation | (i) Providing good health for all. |
B. International Monetary Fund | (ii) Provides shelter and medical help during emergencies |
C. General Assembly | (iii) Oversees the global financial system. |
D. World Health Organisation | (iv) Providing good health for all |
E. Secretariat | (v) Debates and discusses global issues. |
Give any three suitable arguments to support India’s candidature for the permanent membership of the U.N. Security Council.
OR
How are the threats faced by the people in the Third World different from those faced by the people living in the First World ? Support your answer with examples.
The reasons:
(i) India is second most populous country in the World comprising almost one-fifth of the World’s Population.
(ii) India is also the world’s largest democracy and has virtually participated in all of the initiatives of the U.N.
(iii) Its role in the UN’s peace -keeping efforts is a long and substantial one.
(iv) India has also made regular financial contribution to the UN and never faltered on its payments.
OR
The differences in the threats that people in the Third World faced and those living in the First World.
(i) The Third world countries face the threats not only from outside their borders, mostly from neighbour but also from within. On the other hand, most of the First World countries face threats only from outside their borders.
(ii) Third World faces threats from separatist movements which wanted to form independent countries . There is no such threat in the First World Countries.
(iii) For the newly independent Third World Countries, external and internal wars posed a serious challenge to their security than the First world countries faced.
List any four principal organs of the United Nations.
The organs are:
(i) General Assembly
(i) Security Council
(iii) Secretariat
(iv) Economic and Social Council
Suggest any one effective step which would limit war or violence between countries.
By strengthening international organisation like UNO.
As decided by the member States in 2005, highlight any four steps to make the United Nations more relevant in the changing context.
The four steps:
(i) Creation of a Peacebuilding Commission.
(ii) Establishment of a Human Rights Council.
(iii) Agreements to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
(iv) Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
How many Permanent members and how many Non- permanent Members does the U. N. Security Council have?
In the UN Security Council, there are five permanent members and ten non-permanent members.
Why are International Organizations like the U. N. required?
International Organizations like the UN are required because:
(i) They help with matters of war and peace.
(ii) They also help countries to cooperate to make better living conditions for us all.
Correct the following statement and rewrite:
Eight temporary members of the U.N. Security Council are elected by the General Assembly for a period of three years.
Ten temporary members of the U.N. Security Council are elected by the General Assembly for a period of one years.
List any four steps suggested by the member-states of the U.N. in 2005 in order to make the United Nations more relevant.
The steps suggested were:
(i) Creation of a Peacebuilding Commission
(ii) Establishment of a Human Rights Council
(iii) Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations
(iv) Creation of Democracy Fund
State the main objectives of the ‘Human Rights Watch’.
Its main objectives is research and advocacy of human rights.
Why do we need organisations like the U.N.?
UN is generally regarded as the most important international organisation in today’s world.
(i) It is indispensable and represents the great hope of humanity for peace and progress.
(ii) It also help countries cooperate to make better living conditions for us all.
Suggest any four reforms required to make the United Nations more effective.
The reforms are:
(i) Creation of a Peacebuilding Commission.
(ii) Establishment of a Human Rights Council.
(iii) Agreements to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
(iv) Creation of a Democracy Fund.
Critically evaluate the difficulties involved in implementing the suggested reforms to reconstruct the U.N.
The difficulties:
(i)The move to abolish or modify veto would make the great powers to lose interest in the world body.
(ii)They would do what they pleased outside it and that without their support and involvement the body would be ineffective.
Describe any six criteria for the new membership of Security Council as suggested after 1997.
What is meant by Security? Mention any four components of Indian security Strategy.
The six criteria:
(i)A major economic power.
(ii)A major military power.
(iii)A substantial contributor to the UN budget.
(iv)A big nation in terms of its population.
(v)A nation that respects democracy and Human Rights.
(vi)A country that would make the council more representative of the world’s diversity in terms of geography, economic systems and culture.
OR
Security implies freedom from threats.
The four components of India’s strategy are:
(i) The first component is strengthening its own military capabilities because India has been involved in conflict with its neighbours i.e. Pakistan & China.
(ii) The second component has been to strengthen international norms and international institutions to protect its security interests.
(iii) The Third component is geared towards meeting security challenges within the Country.
(iv) The fourth component has been an attempt to develop its economy in a way that the vast mass of citizens are lifted out of poverty and economic inequalities are not allowed to exist.
What is Amnesty International ? State its main functions.
It is an NGO that campaigns for the protection of Human Rights.
Functions
i. It prepares and publishes reports on human rights.
ii. It mainly focuses on the misconduct of the government authorities.
iii. It works for the protection of the human rights.
Assess the importance of international organisations like the United Nations in the contemporary world.
The importance of UNO:
(i) In a unipolar world in which the U.S is dominant, the UN served to bring the US and the rest of the world into discussions on various issues.
(ii) The U.S also realizes that the U.N is an organization as serving a purpose in bringing together over 190 nations in dealing with conflicts and social and
economic developments.
(iii) The UN provides an arena for the rest of the world in which it is possible to modify US attitudes and policies.
Or
Suggestions:
(i) To overcome poverty, India needs to develop its economy so that the lives of vast mass of citizens improve. The economic inequalities should not be countered.
(ii) To prevent epidemics proper living conditions, sanitation, clean drinking water, enforcement of Swachh Bharat, proper immunization and education of the people should be extended.
(iii) To counter terrorism we should develop strong military strategy, intelligence including cyber intelligence. Simultaneously democracy should have space for dialogue and negotiation to deal with groups like Maoists, insurgents etc.
Assess the role of ASEAN as an economic association.
Role of ASEAN as an economic association
i) The economy of ASEAN region is growing much faster than that of the US, EU and Japan. This accounts for the growth in its influence both in the region and beyond.
ii) ASEAN is trying to create a common market and production base within the ASEAN states and to aid social and economic development in the region.
iii) A mechanism is being evolved to settle and resolve the economic disputes. ASEAN has focused on creating a Free Trade Area for investment, labour and services.
iv) ASEAN is rapidly growing into a very important regional organization. It’s vision 2020 defined an outward looking role for ASEAN in the international community.
v) The current economic strength of ASEAN is being a trading and investment partner to the growing Asian economies such as India and China makes its an attractive
proposition.
vi) ASEAN’s strength, however, lies in its policies of interaction and consultation with member states, with dialogue partners, and with other non-regional organisations. Or any other relevant point.
Mention the six principal organs of the United Nations and describe the function of any two of them.
Six principal organs of the United Nations:
(i) General Assembly
(ii) Security Council
(iii)International Court of Justice
(iv)Secretariat
(v) Economic and Social Council
(vi)Trusteeship Council
Functions of General Assembly:-
i) It elects the members for the other structures and agencies of the UN.
ii) Deliberations and discussions over major international issues.
ii) It takes all major decisions related to member nations.
Functions of Security Council:-
i) To prevent international conflicts and limit the extend of hostilities.
ii) To facilitate cooperation among states.
iii) To improve the prospects of social and economical development in the
world.
Give any one example to show that events taking place in one part of the world could have an impact on another part of the world.
Many events happening in one part of the world do affect the other parts of the world as -The Bird flu.
Describe any three challenging global issues that can only be dealt with when
everyone works together
The various challenges that require collective global action are:
(i) Diseases/epidemics (Bird Flu, Ebola virus etc.)
(ii) Global Warming
(iii) Terrorism
(iv) Global Poverty
(v) Human Rights Violations
Trace the evolution of the United Nations since is establishment in 1945. How does it function with the help of its structures and agencies?
EVOLUTION OF THE UN
(i) The UN was founded as a successor to the League of Nations. It was established in 1945.
(ii) The UN was set up through the signing of the UN Charter by 51 Nations.
(iii) It was formed with the help that it would act to stop conflict and wars.
(iv) By 2006, UN had 192 members. These included almost all independent states.
ITS FUNCTIONING
(i) In the UN General Assembly, all member nations have one vote each.
(ii) In the UN Security Council, there are five Permanent members – Britain, France, US, Russia and China and 10 temporary members.
(iii) The UN consists of many structures and agencies
(iv) War, peace, and difference between the member states are discussed in the General Assembly.
(v) Social and Economic issues are dealt with by many agencies including WTO, UNDP, UNHRC, UNICEF and UNESCO.
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