Chapter 4: International Organisations

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the global balance of power shifted, creating new challenges.
The rise of US dominance in world affairs sparked calls for the reform of international organizations, especially the United Nations (UN), to adapt to new geopolitical realities.

Peace and Conflict Resolution: The UN helps mediate international disputes to avoid war. Its main goal is to prevent conflict, but it also addresses economic and social issues affecting peace.
UN Security Council (UNSC): It consists of 15 members—5 permanent (USA, Russia, China, UK, France) with veto power and 10 non-permanent members elected for 2 years. The UNSC is responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
UN Agencies: Various UN agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) handle issues such as global health, development, and humanitarian crises.

The UN Security Council's structure reflects the post-World War II order, with permanent seats dominated by powerful nations from that era.
Many argue this structure is outdated. Developing countries, especially from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, want more representation to reflect current global power dynamics.
India is pushing for a permanent seat, highlighting its large population, growing economy, and long-standing contributions to UN peacekeeping missions.

Veto Power: The 5 permanent members have veto power, which allows them to block any substantive resolution. Many countries believe this gives too much power to a few nations.
Criteria for New Members: There's debate about what qualifications should be used for new permanent members—economic strength, military power, population size, or commitment to human rights.

IMF (International Monetary Fund): It helps manage the global financial system, lending to countries in financial trouble, but it is often criticized for imposing policies that benefit wealthy nations.
WTO (World Trade Organization): It regulates international trade, but developing nations often argue that its rules favor powerful economies like the US, EU, and Japan.
IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency): This organization oversees the peaceful use of nuclear energy and ensures countries don’t misuse nuclear materials for military purposes.

India argues for a greater role in the UNSC, given its large population, economic influence, and consistent participation in peacekeeping operations. However, its bid for a permanent seat is challenged by geopolitical issues, including opposition from countries like Pakistan and concerns about nuclear weapons.

With the US emerging as the dominant power post-Cold War, there’s a question of whether the UN can act as a counterbalance to US influence.
The US’s significant financial contributions to the UN and its permanent seat on the Security Council give it considerable influence over the organization’s decisions.
Despite its flaws, the UN remains an essential platform for dialogue and cooperation, especially in a globally interconnected world.

An effective reform would make the organization more democratic, giving more countries a say in decision-making, especially those from the Global South.

Beyond the UN, other transnational organizations such as the IMF and World Bank also require reform to address criticisms that they enforce economic policies that benefit wealthier countries at the expense of developing nations.

Global cooperation is essential for addressing issues like climate change, pandemics, and global economic crises.
The future of international organizations like the UN hinges on their ability to reform and become more inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the current global order.