Migration, Identity, Sovereignty EQ3

Question 1

What is the background + functions of the UN?

Answer 1

Aim/structures of UN established by the US, UK, USSR, China- allies at the time
To maintain peace/ security
Promote sustainable development
Protect human rights
Uphold international law
Deliver humanitarian aid

Question 2

What are UN sanctions?

Answer 2

Arms embargo- banning weapons + military supplies
Trade embargos- banning certain imports/exports
Restrictions on loans- for development projects
Freezing assets- eg bank accounts
Travel restrictions- for specific people of govs

Question 3

What are some examples of successful intervention by the UN?

Answer 3

Sierra Leone- end brutal civil war that involved child soldiers + blood diamonds
Democratic republic of Congo- stabilised regions + supported elections, longest UN mission, still has problems with rebel groups
Iran- partial success, cannot enforce full compliance over nuclear weapons

Question 4

What are some examples of failures of the UN?

Answer 4

Srebrenica- failed to prevent massacre of 8,000 boshiak men and boys
Rwanda genocide- UN failed to act 800,000 Tutsis and Hutus died in 100d

Question 5

What is unilateral intervention?

Answer 5

Military intervention by a state outside of UN umbrella

Question 6

What is the ‘war on terror’?

Answer 6

Ongoing campaign by US to counter international terrorism
Extreme example following 9/11 attack
US invaded Iraq based on pretext of developing weapons of mass destruction

Question 7

What is the importance of the IMF, WB + WTO in western capitalism?

Answer 7

Linked their currency to the US dollar
Set on western ideals- privatisation and deregulation

Question 8

What are structural adjustment programmes? (SAPs)

Answer 8

Loans for countries but they have to earn more, spend less and export more to earn capital to repay loans

Question 9

What are the conditions of SAPs?

Answer 9

Opening up domestic markets
Reducing role of govs- privatisation
Removing capital restrictions- international investment
Reduce gov spending- cuts to projects
Devaluing currency- exports cheaper

Question 10

What is the impact of SAPs on Jamaica?

Answer 10

Debt to GDP ration decreased
IMFs favourite economy
Peaked at 212% despite austerity measures
15th IMF bailout in 2013
Managed to half debt to GDP ration since 72% in 2023
2020 fully exited the programme

Question 11

What is a HIPC?

Answer 11

Highly indebted poor countries initiative

Question 12

What does the HIPC scheme do?

Answer 12

Reduced debts- partially write off in return for SAPs
Offered to 36- aware of problems by 2000
G8 steared to clear all debts to WB/IMF for 18 countries- had conditions

Question 13

What were the conditions for removing debts for some HIPC countries?

Answer 13

Had to show good financial management, lack of corruption
Spend savings on- poverty reductions, education + healthcare

Question 14

What was the impact of HIPC on Uganda?

Answer 14

1992 debt of $1.9bill
First country to benefit for debt write off
Gov spending rose 20%
Free primary schooling= 5mill extra attended, increase GDP on education
Improved water source, literacy rate

Question 15

What are the pros of the WTO?

Answer 15

Conferred trade agreements
Fair method to resolve disputes
Avoid trade barriers
Abide by WTOs resolution

Question 16

What are the cons of the WTO?

Answer 16

Trade rules unfavourable for developing nations
Prevent developing nations to develop from infant industries
Protectionist tariffs that benefit richer nations