The UN, Elite Pacts, and Soft Balancing

1. Key Themes

1. Elite Pacts in the UNSC:

   • The UN Security Council (UNSC) operates through elite pacts among the Permanent Five (P5) members (U.S., UK, France, Russia, China).

   • These pacts involve behind-the-scenes negotiations and side deals to achieve consensus on resolutions.

   • Example: The 1991 Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) to expel Iraq from Kuwait.

2. Chapter 7 of the UN Charter:

   • Grants the UNSC authority to enforce international peace and security, including humanitarian interventions, R2P (Responsibility to Protect), and sanctions.

   • Example: UN Resolution 1373 (2001) justified U.S. military action in Afghanistan under self-defense.

3. Soft Balancing in the UNGA:

   • The UN General Assembly (UNGA) serves as a platform for smaller states to politically balance against powerful states (e.g., the U.S.).

   • Example: Mass opposition to the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq in the UNGA.

4. Legitimacy and Compliance:

   • UNSC resolutions gain legitimacy when the P5 agree, signaling global consensus.

   • Compliance is driven by political and economic incentives rather than moral or legal principles.

5. Critiques of the UNSC:

   • The UNSC is undemocratic, with the P5 holding veto power.

   • Reform efforts (e.g., expanding membership) have failed to address power imbalances.

2. Key Concepts

• Elite Pacts: Agreements among the P5 to achieve consensus on UNSC resolutions, often involving side deals and negotiations.

• Chapter 7: UN Charter provision allowing the UNSC to authorize military force, sanctions, or peacekeeping missions.

• Soft Balancing: Political strategies (e.g., voting blocs in the UNGA) used by smaller states to counterbalance powerful states without military confrontation.

• Veto Power: The ability of the P5 to block any UNSC resolution, ensuring their dominance in global governance.

• Legitimacy: The perception that UNSC resolutions are valid and binding, often reinforced by P5 consensus.

• Compliance: States follow UNSC resolutions due to political or economic incentives, not moral or legal principles.

3. Key Thinkers and Their Arguments

• Voeten:

  • Elite pacts in the UNSC facilitate cooperation among great powers, driven by political and economic interests rather than moral principles.

• Stedman:

  • Soft balancing in the UNGA allows smaller states to politically counterbalance powerful states (e.g., the U.S.) without military confrontation.

4. Examples of UNSC and UNGA Actions

• UNSC:

  • 1991 Gulf War: UNSC authorized force to expel Iraq from Kuwait, showcasing elite pacts and P5 cooperation.

  • 2003 Iraq War: U.S. bypassed the UNSC, weakening its legitimacy and highlighting the limits of elite pacts.

• UNGA:

  • 2003 Iraq War: Mass opposition to the U.S. invasion demonstrated soft balancing by smaller states.

  • UN Resolution 1701 (2006): Authorized peacekeeping in Lebanon, reflecting elite pacts and stakeholder interests.