The United
Nations (UN)-Notes
What are we going to learn in this chapter? The United Nations, an international organisation was established to ensure peace and security at the international level. In the present chapter, we shall study its objectives, principles, structure and role in securing peace. The United Nations: A Background Two world wars were fought at the start of the twentieth century. Life and property were destroyed on a large scale in these wars. As a result, the League of Nations was established after the First World War and the United Nations was established after the Second World War out of a realisation that there has to be a mechanism to establish world peace.
The League of Nations did not succeed at all. But after the use of the nuclear weapons in the Second World War, the idea took root that such destructive wars should be stopped and that it is the collective responsibility of all nations to do so. The United Nations was established after the Second World War to instill this understanding among all nations.
Chronology of the establishment of the United Nations The Atlantic Treaty was signed between Prime Minister of England Sir Winston Churchill and American President Franklin D Roosevelt during the Second World War on 14th August 1941. According to this treaty, a decision was taken to set up a permanent mechanism to establish international security after the Second World War was over. Detailed discussions followed on this decision in two conferences among allied powers in 1944 and 1945 and a draft of the treaty to establish an international organisation was prepared. At San Francisco in America, representatives of fifty countries drafted the Charter of the United Nations after discussions. As soon as the war got over, the Charter was signed on 24th October 1945 and the United Nations was established. The United Nations is an international organisation of sovereign nations.
The United Nations is the world’s largest international organisation. In the beginning, only 50 countries were members of the United Nations. Today, this number has gone up to 193. All these member nations come together on the platform of the United Nations. The United Nations has its own definite objectives. Briefly, the United Nations takes up all necessary measures for establishing international peace. To establish friendly relations among nations. To enhance international security by solving international disputes. To safeguard and foster human rights and freedom. Along with these, the United Nations also aim at enhancing economic cooperation at the international level.
All member countries are bound by duty to respect the diplomatic privileges of sovereign nations, not to attack other countries and abide by international law and treaties. The United Nations is an organisation created by the coming together of sovereign nations. Naturally, it is based on certain principles or rules. They are briefly stated as follows :
1. All member nations will have the same status. There is no discrimination among nations based on geographical size, economic or military power. 2. All member nations of the United Nations should respect the freedom and geographical unity of other member nations. 3. All member nations should solve their international disputes and mutual differences by peaceful means.
Structure of the United Nations : The United Nations Charter describes the structure and functioning of the organisation : The United Nations has six main organs: (1) General Assembly (2) Security Council (3) Economic and Social Council (4) International Court of Justice (5) Trusteeship Council (6) Secretariat General Assembly : All the member countries are members of the General Assembly. The position and status of all the countries, whether they are rich or poor, big or small, is the same. Every year the General Assembly meets in its session from September to December. During the session, the General Assembly discusses important issues like environment, disarmament, etc. The decisions in the General Assembly are taken by majority.
These decisions are in the form of resolutions. Thus, the General Assembly only passes resolutions; it does not make laws. The significance of the General Assembly lies in being a platform for representatives of member nations to come together and discuss and make policy decisions on issues of global importance. Functions of General Assembly (1) To elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council (2) To choose the United Nations Secretary General and the judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in consultation with the Security Council (3) To pass the annual budget of the United Nations Security Council :
There are 15 members in the Security Council. Of them, five are permanent members, while ten are non-permanent members. The nonpermanent members are chosen every two years by the General Assembly. America, Russia, England, France and China are permanent members of the Security Council. They have the veto power. For any decision to be taken, the assent of all five permanent members and four non-permanent members is necessary. If even one of the five permanent member uses his veto i.e. gives a negative vote, the decision cannot be taken. Functions of the Security Council (1) The main responsibility of the Security Council is to maintain international peace and security.
The Security Council may suggest one among the following alternatives in situations of international conflict : end/resolve conflict and make efforts to establish peace, impose economic sanctions or take a decision of military action against the aggressor nation. (2) To prepare policies for arms control (3) To play a joint role along with the General Assembly in the appointments of the judges of the International Court of Justice and of the United Nations Secretary General. Suggestions are being made to reform the Security Council and make it more democratic. India is making efforts to get the permanent membership of the Security Council. 80 Economic and Social Council : The main objective of this organisation is to coordinate the economic and social policies of the United Nations. The Council has 54 members.
They are selected by the General Assembly. Each member has a
tenure of three years and each year, onethird of the members are newly chosen.
Decisions are taken by majority vote. Functions (1) Initiate discussions at the
global level on issues like poverty, unemployment, economic and social
inequality and suggest policies to tackle these problems. (2) Discuss issues
like women’s questions, empowerment of women, human rights, fundamental
freedoms, global trade, health related issues, etc. and make decisions. (3)
Make efforts to establish cultural and educational cooperation at the
international level. (4) Coordinate the functioning of the different
organisations working in association with the United Nations. Secretariat : The
Secretariat has the responsibility of carrying out the administrative tasks of
the United Nations. The chief of the Secretariat is the Secretary General. He
is selected
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