Global Intervention Flashcards
Post WWII: The Nuremberg Trials
The highest-ranking Nazi officers were put charged with crimes against humanity
● 22 Nazi leaders were tried at an international military tribunal at Nuremberg, Germany.
● 12 were sentenced to death. Similar trials occurred throughout the world.
Formation of The United Nations
The primary objective of the United Nations was to prevent future world wars by promoting diplomacy, cooperation, and collective security.
The Four Main Purposes
The UN’s mission encompasses four main purposes:
● Maintaining international peace and security
● Promoting cooperation among nations
● Encouraging respect for human rights
● Fostering social progress and development
Formation of The United Nations
The UN aims to:
1. Prevent conflicts through diplomatic negotiations, peacekeeping missions, and sanctions
2. Serve as a platform for international cooperation
3. Promotes social progress and development through programs addressing poverty, education, healthcare, and gender equality
Structure of the United Nations
General Assembly
Representatives from all member nation-states (193 countries)
Representatives express their country’s views on certain world issues
Platform to express support or objections to global issues
Each member state gets one vote
INY
PARTS to it Ec
Structure of the United Nations
The Security Council
Consists of 15 member states
Five are permanent members: United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France, China
Each permanent member has VETO power
Veto power has made the Security Council ineffective in many situations due to countries being more focused on national interest than internationalism
Structure of the United Nations
The Security Council
Other 10 countries elected for two year terms by
the General Assembly
● UN has no permanent military
● If military action is necessary member states
provide the military force
Canada has been elected onto the security council for 6 terms
Current Elected Countries
1. Albania (2023) 2. Brazil (2023)
3. Ecuador (2024) 4. Gabon (2023) 5. Ghana (2023) 6. Japan (2024) 7. Malta (2024)
8. Mozambique (2024)
9. Switzerland (2024)
10. United Arab Emirates (2023)
Structure of the United Nations
Economic and Social Council
● It promotes cooperation among countries to improve living standards, address economic and social issues, and support development.
● It works on things like healthcare, education, and economic development
The Secretariat
● The “administrators” of the UN.
● They help organize meetings, collect and share information, and provide
administrative support to the UN’s various bodies and agencies.
● They keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.
Structure of the United Nations
International Court of Justice
● The “world’s court.”
● It settles legal disputes between countries based on international law.
● Imagine it as a referee for countries who have disagreements, helping to keep
peace through legal means.
Trusteeship Council
● The Trusteeship Council doesn’t have a clear function anymore as most states have become independent
● It used to oversee trust territories, which were territories that were not yet self-governing.
● Its job was to help these territories become independent.
Thing’s to know
General Assembly One Country = One Vote
Security Council 5 permanent members with veto power
United Nations Peacekeeping
UN Peacekeeping Forces serve in promoting international peace, security, and conflict resolution, and maintaining global stability
● All member states are expected to participate in peacekeeping missions
● A ‘global’ military force is viewed as a way to help promote peace
● Ensures many perspectives and motivations are involved to reduce bias
Funding
The funding for United Nations peacekeeping forces comes from contributions from member countries
Voluntary Contributions:
Contributions are voluntary, separate from regular UN dues.
Assessed Contributions:
UN calculates each country’s dues based on its economy. Countries with bigger economies pay more
If a country is unable to meet its financial obligations to the United Nations, it can temporarily lose its voting rights in the United Nations General Assembly.
Funding
The funding process for United Nations peacekeeping forces involves contributions from member countries
Voluntary Contributions:
Contributions are voluntary, separate from regular UN dues, Some countries give extra money for specific missions or needs.
Assessed Contributions:
UN calculates each country’s share based on its economic capacity (GNI). Countries with bigger economies pay more
If a country is unable to meet its financial obligations to the United Nations, i it can face consequences that may affect its voting rights in the United Nations General Assembly.
a country’s voting rights on certain crucial matters are usually not affected.
Principles of Peacekeeping
Conflict Resolution: Facilitate the end of hostilities and the restoration of peace
● UN peacekeeping operations are not an enforcement tool.
● Force can be used when required if acting in self-defence and/or defence of
the mandate when approved by the Security Council
Neutral Mediation: Impartial intermediaries
● Support diplomacy and negotiations between conflicting parties to ensure
that disputes are settled peacefully and in accordance with international law.
Principles of Peacekeeping
Protection of Civilians: Protect and shelter civilians in conflict zones
● UN Peacekeepers establish safe zones
● Provide humanitarian assistance to deliver essential aid such as food,
medical care, and shelter
Restoring Order: Maintain law and order to prevent further violence
● Following the conclusion of hostilities, Peacekeepers contribute to the stability and security of the affected region.
Canadian Peacekeeping
Canada was a founding nation of peacekeeping under Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson.
Pearson received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 for his peacekeeping efforts.
● Canada has been a major contributor to peacekeeping missions between 1956 and 1992
● Peacekeeping moved toward peacemaking between 1995 and 2019 as Canada engaged more directly in conflicts
