The UN: Security Council

Chapter V1 of the UN Constitution

-wide range of techniques to investigate disputes and help parties achieve peaceful settlement. -negotiation, arbitration, mediation, concilation

starting in the 1970's.. the U.S. began using _______ much more

veto power. -more than any other member

who can intervene for SC to meet?

-GA -secretary general -any state, UN member or not (although no guarantee of action)

the SC when it started to take action also...

-authorized NATO bombing against Bosnian Serb forces. -authorized UN-administered protectorates in Kosovo and East Timor. (state controlled or protected by another)

veto

-held by 5 permanent members -not as much of a problem today

the council participates in the election of:

-secretary general -justices to the ICJ -new UN members (in collaboration of GA)

Chapter V11

-specifies the SC's authority to commit all UN members to take enforcement measures such as sanctions or military force. -determines the existence of threats. -using force to restore international order

Soviet Union used veto power during the Cold War to...

-to block action on many peace and security issues -to block admission of Western-supported new members and nominees for secretary-general.

nonpermanent seat numbers

Africa and Asia have 5 Latin America and Western Europe have 2 Eastern Europe has 1

nonpermanent members are elected by the

General assembly, they elect 10 for 2 year terms after nomination by one of the five regional groups. -at least 4 nonpermanent members must vote in favor for a resolution to pass.

5 permanent members

U.S., UK, France, Russia, and China.

the security council has the authority to

act on behalf of all members of the UN

thematic meetings

address broader issues such as HIV/AIDS as a threat to peace, child soldiers, and cooperation b/t the UN and regional organizations. -addressing problems before they become a crisis, preventative diplomacy. -meeting for a reason.

shift in Soviet foreign policy led to...

breakthrough in regional conflict, Namibia. -built a democracy

since 1990, SC has taken action on more armed conflicts, authorized more peacekeeping, and imposed more sanctions...

created war crimes tribunals to prosecute individuals responsible for genocide and war crimes in Rwanda, Yugoslavia, and Sierra Leone. -required all states to cooperate.

the SC has enormous power but still...

depends on other states. (still have to ask nicely.) -depends on dues -willingness to contribute to peacekeeping missions -depends on support of enforcement actions -depends on them to enforce sanctions

permanent members pro

efficiency monopoly on violence

major reform issue

equitable reputation -because of permanent members and veto power

Each permanent members has a special power...

veto power

peacekeeping

involved prevention, containment, and moderation of hostilities w/ multinational forces of soldiers, police, and civilians.

nonpermanent members pros/cons

much more broad viewpoint/ strong states power is diluted.

main goal of the security council

peace and security

Security council is the only UN body that has both

permanent and non-permanent members.

the SC has no regular _________ of meetings or an agenda

schedule -meets only in response to specific conflicts and crises.

reform is debated because

the SC still reflects the world of the 21st century, not the world of 1945.

most importantly, states' voluntary compliance depends on...

their perceptions of the legitimacy of the council and its actions. (symbolic power)