The UNSC Reform: A Gordian Knot?
1 Introduction
The United Nations Organisation (UNO) is the global organisation for peace and welfare on earth. Although since the end of the Cold War, the world is divided in more than two blocks, still the Security Council reflects the status of 1945 after the World War II. After the period of deterrence between East and West more players are needed to formulate strong resolutions and then to implement them decisively. Regarding the global situation a reform of the most important organ of the UNO is evident. But there are some key questions that hinder this reforming process.
2 History (Based on situation after Second World War)
On the 26th June 1945 in San Francisco 51 states signed the United Nations Charta. Two main organs form the fundaments …show more content…
First of all, the UNSC increased its activities after the Cold War. Between 1945 and 1990 an average of 20 resolutions per year were treated by the UNSC. Since 1991 this number grew to 60 resolutions per year. Especially the resolutions concerning the chapter VII increased, while the use of the veto power of the five permanent members decreased in the same period. In the context of combating international terrorism the UNSC is beginning to touch the field of legislation.
The principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states is weakened by decisions based on the principle of the "Responsibility to Protect".
So a higher legitimacy is needed for a more efficient decision-making to formulate strong mandates and determined implementations of the resolutions.
Secondly, Western states are over represented in the UNSC. Africa, Asia and South-America have 1 permanent seat (China) and 7 non-permanent seats. Theses members represent 5.5 billion people. This is a misbalance compared with the western states holding 4 permanent and 3 non-permanent seats representing 1.5 billion …show more content…
The question is how many new seats should be added. There are ideas between six to twelve seats. Which of them will be permanent and non-permanent? If the UNSC is too big it will lose efficiency and flexibility and it will be difficult to find consensus for strong mandates.
But on the other hand the legitimacy should be risen by including hitherto underrepresented regions. Influential regional powers would take responsibility for the implementation of the resolution in the concerned region. However, a moderate expansion is reasonable.
The veto power for future permanent members is a key issue in the whole discussion. Whereas the AU wants to grant the veto power for all new permanent members, the G4 are more flexible in the negotiations. On the other hand the P5 will not give their approval to an expansion of the veto power.
Another compromise discussed by G4 and UfC are the "semi-permanent" seats. Theses members could be re-elected up to 15 years. After 10 to 20 years an evaluation should give answers to the question of number of permanent seats or the power of veto and then a final decision will be
The United Nations Organisation (UNO) is the global organisation for peace and welfare on earth. Although since the end of the Cold War, the world is divided in more than two blocks, still the Security Council reflects the status of 1945 after the World War II. After the period of deterrence between East and West more players are needed to formulate strong resolutions and then to implement them decisively. Regarding the global situation a reform of the most important organ of the UNO is evident. But there are some key questions that hinder this reforming process.
2 History (Based on situation after Second World War)
On the 26th June 1945 in San Francisco 51 states signed the United Nations Charta. Two main organs form the fundaments …show more content…
First of all, the UNSC increased its activities after the Cold War. Between 1945 and 1990 an average of 20 resolutions per year were treated by the UNSC. Since 1991 this number grew to 60 resolutions per year. Especially the resolutions concerning the chapter VII increased, while the use of the veto power of the five permanent members decreased in the same period. In the context of combating international terrorism the UNSC is beginning to touch the field of legislation.
The principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states is weakened by decisions based on the principle of the "Responsibility to Protect".
So a higher legitimacy is needed for a more efficient decision-making to formulate strong mandates and determined implementations of the resolutions.
Secondly, Western states are over represented in the UNSC. Africa, Asia and South-America have 1 permanent seat (China) and 7 non-permanent seats. Theses members represent 5.5 billion people. This is a misbalance compared with the western states holding 4 permanent and 3 non-permanent seats representing 1.5 billion …show more content…
The question is how many new seats should be added. There are ideas between six to twelve seats. Which of them will be permanent and non-permanent? If the UNSC is too big it will lose efficiency and flexibility and it will be difficult to find consensus for strong mandates.
But on the other hand the legitimacy should be risen by including hitherto underrepresented regions. Influential regional powers would take responsibility for the implementation of the resolution in the concerned region. However, a moderate expansion is reasonable.
The veto power for future permanent members is a key issue in the whole discussion. Whereas the AU wants to grant the veto power for all new permanent members, the G4 are more flexible in the negotiations. On the other hand the P5 will not give their approval to an expansion of the veto power.
Another compromise discussed by G4 and UfC are the "semi-permanent" seats. Theses members could be re-elected up to 15 years. After 10 to 20 years an evaluation should give answers to the question of number of permanent seats or the power of veto and then a final decision will be