Week 7

The United Nations, as we know it today, has played a pivotal role in shaping the global landscape. Thomas Weiss’s discussion delves into the intrinsic importance of the UN. He ponders the idea of a world without the UN but also contemplates what might have been if the UN had taken a different developmental path. He frames his discussion on the implications for multilateralism and the international order. He discussed peace and security around the UN’s capacity to monitor and maintain global peace. This has been instrumental in preventing conflicts, mediating peace agreements, and peacekeeping. This idea is also intertwined with human rights and humanitarian action, where the notion of human rights becomes precarious without peace and security. These two elements share a common end goal- ensuring the well-being and dignity of people worldwide. 

Weiss’s arguments extend to the global economy, where the UN significantly promotes international economic cooperation, trade, and development. It fosters a global environment where countries can collaborate. However, a challenge lies in the lack of robust mechanisms for enforcing these principles and the absence of a centralized authority with intervention capabilities. In some ways, this broader nature of the UN’s mission has limited its role on the global stage, leading to calls for alternative global institutions to address these challenges. 

For instance, in recent years, we have witnessed the intensity of conflicts such as the Ukranie war and the Israke-Hamas conflict, which have called for international intervention. If this UN goal is to promote peace and security, why have they not intervened in these conflicts? While I am not arguing for a world without the UN, it is important to recognize that the current version of the UN may not be the best possible solution.