MODULE 3 The Global Politics Intergovernmental Organization: The United Nations

Global Politics

  • World = many independent states with different governments.

  • Scholars:

    • Study internal politics (ex: Japan’s bureaucracy).

    • Study interactions between states (trade, diplomacy, military, politics).

  • Internationalization = deepening of interactions between states.

  • Globalization of politics = multiple interactions among states.

So in short:

  • World = many independent states.

  • Scholars = study inside a country or between countries.

  • Internationalization = deeper connections.

  • Globalization of politics = many interactions happening worldwide.

Four Attributes of Today’s Global System (Claudio et al., 2018)

  1. Independent, self-governing countries.

  2. Countries interact via diplomacy.

  3. International organizations (UN) facilitate interactions.

  4. Organizations take on lives of their own.

Today’s global system is about independent countries that still need each other, and they often rely on international organizations—which have now grown powerful enough to stand on their own.

United Nations (UN)

  • Founded: 1945, after WWII.

  • Purpose: maintain peace & security, build friendly relations, promote social progress, human rights, sustainable development, environment protection, disaster relief, counter-terrorism, disarmament.

The UN is like the “meeting place of the world.” It helps nations cooperate, solve problems, and work together for peace, progress, and safety.

Why UN Was Formed

  • League of Nations (post-WWI) failed to prevent WWII.

  • UN created in 1945 to replace it.

    The League of Nations (after WWI) failed.

    World War II happened.

    The United Nations was formed in 1945 to make sure the same mistakes wouldn’t happen again.

History

  • 1945 San Francisco Conference: 50 countries.

  • Permanent Five (P5): US, UK, France, Soviet Union (Russia), China.

In 1945, after World War II ended, representatives from 50 countries gathered in San Francisco, USA. This meeting was called the San Francisco Conference. The goal was to create a new international organization that would keep peace and prevent another world war.

From that conference, the United Nations (UN) was officially born.

Now, within the UN, there is a very powerful group in the Security Council called the Permanent Five, or P5.

Membership & Location

  • 193 member states + 2 observers (Vatican City, Palestine).

  • Headquarters: New York City.

  • ICJ (International Court of Justice): The Hague, Netherlands.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  • Launched in 2015, 17 global goals for 2030.

  • Aim: fight poverty, inequality, environmental destruction, promote prosperity.

  • Successor to Millennium Development Goals (2000–2015).

  • Goals include: no poverty, zero hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water, clean energy, decent work, reduced inequalities, climate action, life on land & below water, peace & justice, partnerships.

Roles of the UN

  1. Maintain peace & security – prevent conflict, peacekeepers, negotiations.

  2. Protect human rights – 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

  3. Deliver humanitarian aid – disaster & emergency relief.

  4. Support sustainable development & climate action – tackle climate change.

  5. Uphold international law – justice, treaties, legal frameworks.

The UN works like the world’s referee and helper. It:

  • Keeps peace,

  • Protects rights,

  • Sends aid,

  • Fights climate change,

  • And makes sure countries follow international law.

Main Bodies of the UN

  1. General Assembly – “town meeting” of all member nations, raises global issues, elects leaders.

  2. Security Council – most powerful, 15 members (P5 + 10 elected). Maintains world peace, can impose sanctions or military action.

  3. Economic & Social Council – economic, cultural, health, and educational programs.

  4. Trusteeship Council – handled territories (now inactive).

  5. International Court of Justice (ICJ) – world court.

  6. Secretariat – administrative work, supports other bodies.

Short:

  • General Assembly = big town meeting.

  • Security Council = powerful peacekeeper.

  • ECOSOC = economy, culture, health, education.

  • Trusteeship Council = helped colonies (now inactive).

  • ICJ = world court.

  • Secretariat = the UN’s office and staff.

Sanctions by the UN

  • Diplomatic – cut political ties.

  • Economic – ban on trade (except food).

  • Military – use of armed force (rare).

  • Peacekeepers – soldiers sent to maintain peace (not combat troops).

  • UN Military Force – multinational army, rarely used.

Major UN Missions

  • East Timor – supervised independence.

It was a mission that moved from administering directly to supporting local authority. It’s often seen as a relatively positive example of a successful transition from UN oversight to self-governance.

  • Iraq – sanctions for non-compliance.

UNAMI shows how UN missions often have long timeframes. They are not about full peacekeeping but about assistance and support for governance and recovery—especially in post-conflict or fragile states.

  • Somalia – humanitarian aid.

Somalia has been a prolonged case of UN involvement. The challenges are big: conflict, climate shocks, displaced populations. Some missions succeed in parts (e.g. humanitarian relief, building capacity) but full stability remains elusive.

  • Haiti – helped government, army, and elections.

Haiti’s case shows how missions can evolve from peacekeeping to more political, human rights, and justice support. But there are major challenges like insecurity, gangs, weak institutions, which make the mission hard.

Strengths of the UN

  • Humanitarian work (AIDS programs, food aid, landmine removal).

  • Peacekeeping operations.

  • Forum for nations to discuss global issues.

Weaknesses of the UN

  • Sanctions only effective if all nations comply.

  • Military force is weak and rarely used.

  • Security Council requires unanimous vote (P5 can veto).

  • Limited funding (few nations pay most contributions).

  • Big gap between developing and developed countries.

The UN faces problems because of money issues, power struggles, and lack of strong enforcement.