What Future for the United Nations Security Council?
Abstract
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was created following the balance of power at the end of World War II. Minor changes have been made to its organization during the last 65 years. The aim of this paper is to study the utility of the UNSC as the tool to manage the security issues of the world in the 21st century. Following a description of the Security Council concept based on an analysis of the UN Charter, the author describes the impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall on its development. He then examines what the first decade of the 21st century demonstrates about the efficacy of the UNSC. From his analysis of the last 20 years of this institution, the author describes the reforms that will be necessary to give a new impulse and new credibility to the UNSC. The position of the United States on the United Nations has evolved in recent times. A multilateral approach to international problems has been put forward by President Obama in speeches given during his first two years in office. He was the first American President to chair a meeting of the UNSC. He also said that the United States has to take the lead in improving the United Nations because it has a strong interest in reinforcing the international institution. Recently, during a visit to India, President Obama made a declaration about his support for a seat on the Security Council for India. The author concludes that the future of the UNSC is in the hands of its permanent members. His recommendation is to retain the reform option of expanding the number of UNSC permanent members. As the UN's leading power and a founding member, the United States has to take the lead in enlarging the number of seats on the UNSC to adapt it to the reality of the 21st century. As for regional organizations, the author contends that their role is currently not strong enough to allow them to represent their regions on the Security Council.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 24, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA547258
Entities
People
- Bruno Malvaux
Organizations
- United States Army War College