The Real United Nations

The Goal of the United Nations

In 1945, after the conclusion of WWII, the United Nations was established as an international organization with goals of ensuring world peace and international cooperation, and promoting respect for human rights. It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for its contributions.

The History of the United Nations

Late in the 18th century, Immanuel Kant, a prominent German philosopher, once suggested that the world should form a "league" of its nations, in which countries would unite against a common threat and defend smaller and weaker countries.

With the end of WWI in 1918, Kant's idea finally came into effect: a new organization was formed - the League of Nations. After the horror and destruction many countries experienced in the war, the new League of Nations seemed a positive step to ensure that such destruction will never occur again. The League of Nations grew to consist of 63 countries, inclding some of the world's most influential powers. However, the League had two major downfalls: first, several of the most powerful countries (namely the United States of America) were not members; second, a consensus was required before its members could oppose agression. One uncooperative country would disable the entire League. When Japan, Italy, and Germany started moblizing, the League was too weak to take appropriate measures. It ultimately failed in 1939 and another world war commenced.

In 1942, representatives of the Allies, fighting against the forces of Japan and Germany, signed a Declaration by United Nations, accepting the principles of the Atlantic Charter, written by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill. Thus, the term "United Nations" coined by the American president. A year later, the US, UK, Soviet, and China agreed to form an international organization. In 1944, the four countries drew up the first charter, calling the new organization the "United Nations".

The Structure of the United Nations

The United Nations is made up of six bodies each with its own distinctive functions: the General Assembly (GA), the Security Council (SC), the Economic and Social Council (ECO/SOC), the Secretariat, the International Court of Justice, and the Trusteeship Council.

The General Assembly

The General Assembly is a governing body with 191 members, each with the weight of one vote. Undertaking both global and specific issues, the GA represents a powerful and influential medium for countries to express debate and resolve issues together. Unfortunately, these resolutions are not binding and the GA has no authority to enforce them upon non-compliant countries.

In the past, the Assembly met annually in regualr sessions that usually last between September and December. It hasn't been until recently that the Assembly has been meeting year-round. Still, the GA convenes at special sessions (or summits) that discuss a specific issue. Occasionally, the GA will summon an emergency session in the state of a crisis.

Among its duties are the admittance of new countries into the UN, approving the budget for the UN and its various operations and organizations, establishing agencies and programs to help carry out the approved resolutions, and electing members to serve on them.

The Security Council

The Security Council is often seen as the most powerful division of the UN. Among its duties are ensuring international peace and cooperation, and restoring peace should any conflict indeed arise. In addition, the SC has the right to define what is a threat to security and the actions the UN will undertake in its response. The descisions passed are binding on all countries as international law.

The SC convenes at any time there is deemed a threat to peace. Members, therefore, must be available at all times so as to ensure that the council can meet immediately should an emergency arise. Often, the SC will meet if a grievance is issued by a country.

The SC has 15 members, five of which (French Republic, Russian Federation, People's Republic of China, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America) hold permanent seats as they represent the majority of the world's military power and the winning powers after WWII. These five countries are granted veto powers, allowing them to fail a resolution even without support from the other members. The other ten members of the SC are elected every two years by the GA.

The Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council works under the GA to manage the economic and social work of the UN. It consist of 54 members, elected every three years by the GA. Among its duties are the coordinating studies, reccomending appropriate actions, and overseeing UN agencies and programs to promote economic and social progress.

The Secretariat

The UN's executive branch, the Secretariat oversees the administration of UN agencies and programs. It is headed by the Secretary General who is also the spokesperson of the UN.

The International Court of Justice

Also known as the World Court, functions as the judicial division of the UN. It hears the cases brought by nations against each other. It consists of 15 judges, each elected by the SC and the GA.

The Trusteeship Council

The Trusteeship Council is now obsolete. Its past duties were to ensure the peaceful transition of colonies to independance. After the Palau Islands, the last of the colonies, gained independance in 1994, the Council's duties were complete.

For more information on the structure of the United Nations, visit this article.

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