The Search for Security

WHY International Organizations? World War I – League of Nations GOAL: End wars for good.

League of Nations Problems U.S. did not join U.S. did not join Germany (loser of the war) not allowed to join Germany (loser of the war) not allowed to join Russia not allowed to join Russia not allowed to join Little military backing Little military backing France and Britain not eager to get involved in disputes First Assembly of the League of Nations in Geneva, From the League of Nations Photo Archive, online at

Second Try: United Nations World War II - United Nations created after Led by the WINNERS of the war Led by the WINNERS of the war Still tensions… Soviet Union vs. U.S. for example Complications for Peace since WWII Nationalism – New countries, border issues Nationalism – New countries, border issues Religious/ethnic groups Religious/ethnic groups Weapons trade Weapons trade Terrorism Terrorism

The United Nations (1945) images/UN-LOGO%20copy.jpg

The United Nations UN Charter 6f111234_o.jpg

UN Members 193 members Most recent member is Most recent member is South Sudan (2011) Switzerland Switzerland Who is NOT a member? Some are only observers… Vatican City (country) Vatican City (country) Kosovo (issues with recognition) Kosovo (issues with recognition) Taiwan (issues with recognition) Taiwan (issues with recognition) Palestine (issues with recognition) Palestine (issues with recognition)

UN Membership Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations. Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations. The admission of any such state to membership in the United Nations will be effected by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council The admission of any such state to membership in the United Nations will be effected by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council From: United Nations Charter, Chapter II, Article 4 United Nations CharterChapter IIUnited Nations CharterChapter II “ ”

General Assembly All 193 members have one vote each Similar to a “global town hall” Members bring topics for discussion Members bring topics for discussion Coordinates UN programs

The United Nations UN Security Council /2009/06/un-security-council.jpg

Security Council 15 members 5 permanent, 10 rotating on 2 year terms Veto power for permanent members Responsible for maintaining international peace and security Votes on “resolutions” TO PASS: needs 9 votes AND all 5 permanent members TO PASS: needs 9 votes AND all 5 permanent members One veto dismisses the entire resolution One veto dismisses the entire resolution

Secretariat Headed by Secretary- General Ban Ki-Moon 5 year terms 5 year terms Nominated by Security Council Nominated by Security Council GA approves appointment GA approves appointment Sec-Gen sets agenda, presents issues to the Security Council, acts as neutral mediator Sec-Gen sets agenda, presents issues to the Security Council, acts as neutral mediator Oversees programs and day-to-day management

International Court of Justice “World Court” Jurisdiction over: Nation vs. nation conflicts Nation vs. nation conflictsTerritoryTrade Human Rights violations Human Rights violations UN members not required to participate If they say yes though, then they are bound by the Court’s rulings If they say yes though, then they are bound by the Court’s rulings

Economic and Social Council 54 members serve 3 year terms One vote per member Committees Health/medicine Health/medicine Education Education Social needs programs Social needs programs Promote Millenium Development Goals “Better life for all!” “Better life for all!”

Trusteeship Council No longer meets. Task WAS to oversee transitional countries From colonies to independent nations From colonies to independent nations Last one was 1994 (Palau Islands) Last one was 1994 (Palau Islands)

Associated agencies 17 intergovernmental organizations World Health Organization World Health Organization World Bank World Bank Food and Agriculture Organization Food and Agriculture Organization

The United Nations Peacekeeping 09/un-peace.jpg

UN Peacekeeping Strengthen in 1990s Declining since mid- 2000s Goal to keep peace, NOT take sides back-hungry-crowd-at-Palace-PAP-by-AFP-Getty-Images.jpg

UN Peacekeeping Cost? Expenses in 2006 were $4.75 billion Expenses in 2006 were $4.75 billion Members pay proportions Members pay proportions Biggest contributors? Security Council usually Biggest contributors? Security Council usuallyResults? Successes: Cambodia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Namibia, El Salvador Successes: Cambodia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Namibia, El Salvador Failures: Somalia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Congo Failures: Somalia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Congo Issue of country responsibilities, costs, goals… Issue of country responsibilities, costs, goals…

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

UDHR (1948) Origins World War II World War II First global attempt to identify “inherent rights” that all humans share First global attempt to identify “inherent rights” that all humans share “The most translated document” in the world according to Guinness Book of World Records “The most translated document” in the world according to Guinness Book of World Records

UDHR (1948) So what? 30 articles 30 articles NOT legally binding NOT legally binding More like a “declaration”… think the Declaration of Independence Foundation for two BINDING UN human rights agreements that all members are obligated to follow: Foundation for two BINDING UN human rights agreements that all members are obligated to follow: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights Millenium Development Goals Millenium Development Goals