United Nations, Peacekeeping, and Collective Security – Key Concepts from the Lecture

A set of Q&A flashcards covering theUN’s origins, purpose, structure, peacekeeping roles, historic precursors, and key concepts in collective security and postwar institutional reform.

What year is considered a 'year zero' for the post-World War II order and the founding moment of the United Nations?

1945 (end of WWII and the San Francisco Conference leading to the UN Charter).

What two purposes did the Nuremberg and Tokyo tribunals serve beyond punishing Nazi and Japanese leaders?

Restoration of the rule of law and denazification/denazification of the populace to deter future aggression.

Which organization did the United Nations succeed as the main international body for preventing war after WWII?

The League of Nations.

What documents or statements in the early 1940s helped lay groundwork for a postwar international order prior to the UN?

The Atlantic Charter and the Saint James's Palace statement, emphasizing no territorial changes without consent and economic/security rights.

What is the UN's central organ responsible for collective security and peacekeeping?

The United Nations Security Council.

How many members are on the UN Security Council, and how many are permanent?

15 members total; 5 permanent (United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China).

What special power do the five permanent members of the Security Council hold that can block decisions?

A veto; a single permanent member can prevent a resolution from passing.

What is the difference between interstate peacekeeping and civilian protection that UN peacekeeping missions now include?

Early missions focused on interstate conflicts; later missions protect civilians, provide humanitarian aid, support elections, promote human rights, and aid development in civil wars.

Where is the International Court of Justice housed and what is its historical origin?

The Hague (Peace Palace); developed from the Permanent Court of Arbitration, also known as the World Court.

What is the purpose of the UN peacekeeping forces’ Blue Helmets?

To prevent conflict, protect civilians, and support peacebuilding in volatile regions.

Which UN agencies are commonly known as part of the UN system—examples include UNICEF, WHO, and UNESCO?

UNICEF (children), WHO (health), UNESCO (education/culture); these operate under the UN system via ECOSOC and the General Assembly.

What is the Trusteeship Council and what is its current status?

An organ created to administer decolonized territories and prepare them for independence; largely defunct as most territories gained sovereignty.

What did Immanuel Kant argue was necessary for perpetual peace?

Republican (democratic) governments where sovereignty resides in the people.

What are arbitration and mediation, and how do they differ?

Arbitration is a binding decision by a neutral third party; mediation is a non-binding facilitation of talks between disputing parties.

What is the Atlantic Charter’s relevance to the UN's principles?

A 1941 pact between the US and UK outlining aims like no territorial changes without consent and economic/social security, serving as a precursor to UN principles.

How did decolonization affect UN membership and the organization’s reach?

Decolonization increased member states from about 50 to nearly 200 by 2025, expanding representation and global reach.

Beyond peacekeeping, what additional global challenges does the UN address, as discussed in the lecture?

Human rights, development, environment/sustainability, climate change, governance, and emerging issues like AI.

Where does the UN Charter’s opening phrase 'We the peoples of the United Nations' draw its inspiration from, and why is it significant?

Echoes the preamble of the U.S. Constitution, signaling popular sovereignty and the emphasis on people-centered international law.

What does the term 'collective security' mean in the UN context?

An arrangement where member states act together to restrain aggression and uphold peace when a state threatens or violates peace.

Which major postwar conferences contributed to shaping the UN’s institutional structure (GA, Security Council, ICJ)?

Dumbarton Oaks (GA, Security Council, ICJ structure), Moscow/Tehran/Yalta (big-power agreements), and the San Francisco Conference (UN Charter, 1945).

What is the primary role of the UN General Assembly?

The main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN, discussing issues and making non-binding recommendations.

What is the primary role of the UN Secretary-General?

The chief administrative officer, diplomat, and advocate for the UN, serving as a symbol of its ideals.