Reforming the United Nations

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 41, S. 249-271

Abstract

The General Assembly of the UN in 1986 focused on the issue of administrative & financial efficiency. The provision of consensus voting early in the budgetary process has given the US a virtual veto on projected programs without forcing a revision of the one state-one vote principle enunciated in the UN Charter. The role of the UN in today's world also needs to be addressed: efforts to begin the reform process are considered, & long-range studies of the problems & opportunities facing the UN discussed. Problems inherent in developing a successor vision of the role of the UN are explored. It is argued that four fundamental changes are needed: (1) the evolution of a complex, highly decentralized system of international organizations in which the UN is essential, but not central; (2) the changing character of international conflict & the emphasis on UN mediation rather than enforcement; (3) the growth in UN activities over a broad range of social & economic issues; & (4) a major change in UN membership, which is now universal. Problems of reaching a consensus on UN reform are discussed, & it is noted that to be successful such a consensus will have to unite both developed & developing countries. 2 Appendixes. F. S. J. Ledgister