Edward Luck: How not to Reform the United Nations UN Reform

Topics for today Events of the day/week Compare the EU and the UN UN Reform efforts Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

States – and what else? International Governmental Organizations (IGOs)  United Nations, European Union, UNESCO, NATO, FAO, WHO, WMO…. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)  Economic power: Multinational Corporations (MNCs)  Moral power: Transnational Advocacy Networks  Illicit power: Drug Cartels and Terrorists Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

Comparing the UN and the EU The United Nations  Headquarters: New York (Geneva, Vienna), Budget: $1.8 billion (2005; 4.5b for peacekeeping); ten states pay for 75% of the budget  Multi-purpose and global organization devoted to international peace and security/promotion of universal aims  Main bodies: Security Council and General Assembly The European Union  Headquarters: Brussels (Strasbourg, Luxembourg), Budget: $121 billion (2005)Budget  Mainly economic organization with regional membership  Main bodies: European Commission, Parliament, Council, Court of Justice, European Central Bank. Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

UN Budget for 2005 (in Million-$): top contributors United States*: 440 (24%) Japan: 346 (19%) Germany: 154 (8%) UK*: 109 (6%) France*: 107 (6%) Italy: 87 (5%) Canada: 50 (3%) Spain: 45 (2%) China*: 37 (2%) Mexico: 34 (2%) South Korea: 32 (1.9%) Netherlands: 30 (1.7%) Russia*: 29 (1.3%) Australia: 28 (1.2%) Brazil: 27 (1.2%) Switzerland: 21 (1%) Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

General Assembly and Security Council Security Council: 15 members; ten non- permanent, five permanent with veto power (China, US, Russia, France, and Great Britain). General Assembly: One state-one vote. Africa and Asia combine now for 56 per cent of the GA votes, rather than 24 per cent in See chart.chart Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

Comparing Institutions I European Commission: independent from member states, exclusive authority to initiate legislation, “guardian of the treaties,” about 25,000 civil servants for 25 member states UN Secretariat: responsible for day-today operations; services the principal organs of the UN; about 8,900 civil servants for 192 member states Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

Comparing Institutions II European Parliament: directly elected representatives from all member states; approves the budget (with the Council) UN General Assembly: one state – one vote; makes primarily non-binding decisions (resolutions; except: budget) Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

Comparing Institutions III European Court of Justice: power to interpret and enforce EU treaties; hears cases from individuals and corporations; effective in enforcing community law International Court of Justice: relies on prior acceptance by state parties; hears cases from states only; ineffective in enforcing international law Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

Regional IGOs Americas: Organization of American States Organization of American States (OAS) MERCOSUR Africa: African Union African Union (AU, since 2002); previously: Organization of African Unity (OAU) Asia: Association of South East Asian Nations Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Middle East: League of Arab States Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

Why is European integration a success? Why is European integration progressing while the UN struggles to fulfill its mandate?  Shock of World War II and the Holocaust.  United States support during in Cold War.  Economic integration as focal point. Economic growth of the 1950s/60s legitimized integration.  Cultural differences are less pronounced. Europe: A model for the rest of the world? Answer: Not likely. The United States and Germany played a unique role in the unification of Europe. Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

Summary: Understanding IGO success and limits Lessons Learned  Unique conditions in Europe after World War II.  Start with a small number of countries and focus only on economic integration.  Avoid a mismatch of mandate and capabilities.  Expand mandate and membership slowly.  Pre-screen new members and create separate steps of integration; members must be democracies.  Deepen integration on the basis of consensus, even if it takes longer. Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

United Nations Reform 2003 reform effort follows the Iraq invasion  High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. Civil wars and domestic human rights abuses. “Responsibility to protect” doctrine.  Institutional, or political reform (p. 409)? Luck: Expanding the UN SC negates the realities of the world: U.S. is the remaining superpower. Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

Political reform first? Luck’s key argument: Political reform has to proceed institutional reform. Delink different reform agendas: UN SC, management, R2P, human rights, etc. Be modest in your expectations for reforms. Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz

Luck and IR theories How would you characterize Luck’s view? Which IR perspectives shape his arguments? Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz