The United Nations

UN Charter  UN established in 1945, San Francisco Meeting –51 member countries originally –191 member countries today  Inter-government organization  UN charter –Principle of sovereignty –Principle of non-intervention –Collective security –National self determination, but secondary to sovereignty

International Institutions (AKA International Regimes)  International law –UN Security Council Resolution, Treaties  International organizations/agencies –UN, World Bank, World Trade Organization  Soft law/rules –UN General Assembly resolutions  International norms, principles, practices –Free commerce, sovereignty, accountability, anti-apartheid, human rights, women’s rights

UN Core Institutions  General Assembly –One country, one vote, two-thirds majority –Resolutions –Budget  Security Council –5 permanent members –10 rotating members –Decision: 9 out of 15  UN Secretariat –Secretary General

Specialized Programs  United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)  United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)  Unite Nations Development Program (UNDP)  Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Specialized Agencies  World Health Organization (WHO)  International Telecommunications Union (ITU)  World Bank Group  International Monetary Fund (IMF)  Etc., etc…

UN and Conflict Prevention  Cold War –SC blocked by bi-polar interests  Collective Security action –Gulf war 1991  US hegemony and intervention without authorization –Kosovo 1999 –Iraq 2003

UN Reform  Budget –US went from 30% to 25%, Japan seeks to reduce  Human Rights Commission –Membership by countries that violate HR  Security Council