UN and Global Governance Flashcards
(26 cards)
Who are the permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC)?
China, France, UK, Russia, and the USA – all have veto power.
Why is veto power controversial in the UNSC?
It allows one state to block any resolution, often undermining collective global action.
What is the main criticism of the UNSC’s structure?
Lack of representation from regions like Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.
How many temporary members are in the UNSC and how are they selected?
10, elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
What did Grenville Clark propose for UN reform?
Majority or weighted voting in the UNSC and limited enforcement powers for the General Assembly.
What book did Clark write outlining UN reforms?
World Peace through World Law (1958).
Give an example of a UN peacekeeping failure.
Darfur (2003) – UN intervention was too late to prevent genocide.
Why is UN peacekeeping considered financially burdensome?
Peacekeepers increased from 13,000 (1984) to 104,000 (2014), raising costs.
How did Hanhimäki describe the UN?
Structurally flawed and operationally cumbersome.
What did Obama say about the UN?
He called it an ‘imperfect institution’ that needs reform.
What were the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?
UN goals (2000–2015) to reduce poverty, hunger, disease, and promote development.
What were criticisms of the MDGs?
Targets were too low, used unreliable poverty measures, and lacked accountability.
Who criticised the MDG poverty metrics and why?
Reddy & Pogge – due to ill-defined international poverty lines and flawed PPP measures.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Global goals (2016–2030) covering poverty, health, climate, education, and more.
How do SDGs differ from MDGs?
SDGs are broader, more inclusive, and apply to all countries, not just developing ones.
What is the purpose of global governance?
To manage global issues without a world government using cooperation and coordination.
How do Weiss & Wilkinson define global governance?
Capacity to provide government-like services without a centralised authority.
What does Cox say about governance models?
There are hierarchical (world government) and non-hierarchical (multilateral) models.
What events sparked interest in global governance?
Thawing of Cold War tensions and the need for post-Cold War coordination.
Why is global governance a contested concept?
It’s theoretically vague, lacks consistent application, and is hard to operationalise.
Give a recent example of veto misuse in the UNSC.
Russia vetoed resolutions condemning its actions in Ukraine.
How did the UNSC respond to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014?
The General Assembly condemned it, but Russia blocked UNSC action.
How do SDGs act as a form of global governance?
They set global development norms and goals involving states and non-state actors.
Essay Plan: Critically assess the effectiveness of the UN Security Council.
Intro: Outline UNSC structure
P1: Veto power and imbalance (example: Russia in Ukraine)
P2: Representation issues (no India/Africa)
P3: Reform proposals (Clark’s weighted voting)
P4: Operational successes/failures (Darfur)
Conclusion: Needs reform but still key actor.
