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Edward Luck: How not to Reform the United Nations UN Reform
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Topics for today Events of the day/week Compare the EU and the UN UN Reform efforts Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz
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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
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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: $121 billion (2005)Budget Mainly economic organization with regional membership Main bodies: European Commission, Parliament, Council, Court of Justice, European Central Bank. Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz
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UN Budget for 2005 (in Million-$): 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
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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 1945. See chart.chart Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Luck and IR theories How would you characterize Luck’s view? Which IR perspectives shape his arguments? Friday, 2/22/2008Hans Peter Schmitz
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