Explain The Mission And Function Of The International Organi

Explain the mission and function of the international organization “United Nations (UN)â€.

The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 with the primary mission of promoting international peace and security, fostering social and economic development, and protecting human rights worldwide. Its founding was driven by the failure of the League of Nations to prevent conflicts like World War II. The UN’s core functions include providing a forum for dialogue among member states, coordinating international efforts on global issues such as health crises and development, and facilitating peacekeeping missions (Whitman & Cobb, 2020). The organization is composed of several main bodies, including the General Assembly, where each member state has one vote, and the Security Council, which has the authority to make binding decisions on matters of peace and security, including imposing sanctions or authorizing use of force (Whitman & Cobb, 2020). Despite its limited enforcement capabilities, the UN acts as a mediating and coordinating body to address conflicts, humanitarian crises, and developmental challenges. Its specialized agencies, such as the World Health Organization and the World Bank, exemplify its operational scope beyond peacekeeping, focusing on health initiatives and economic development (Falkner et al., 2017). While it cannot enforce its resolutions fully, the UN’s role in setting international norms and providing platforms for diplomatic dialogue underscores its importance in global governance, aiming to promote cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.

Assess how issues of state sovereignty are dealt with for member countries

The principle of state sovereignty is central to the functioning of the United Nations. It is embedded in the UN Charter, which recognizes the sovereignty of its member states and explicitly limits the organization’s ability to interfere in domestic affairs (Whitman & Cobb, 2020). This emphasis on sovereignty presents both a strength and a challenge; it ensures respect for national independence but also limits the UN’s capacity to enforce international norms or intervene in internal conflicts. The Security Council’s role exemplifies this balance, as it can authorize interventions or sanctions but requires consensus among its five permanent members, each with veto power. This veto power often complicates the organization’s ability to act swiftly or decisively in crises involving powerful member states (Engdahl, 2018). Moreover, member states are generally resistant to ceding sovereignty, leading the UN to operate mainly through diplomatic pressure and peer consensus rather than robust enforcement. For example, while the UN can impose sanctions, it cannot compel states to implement them, nor does it have its own military force, relying instead on voluntary contributions from member states (Mingst & Arreguín-Toft, 2019). This respect for sovereignty underscores the importance of diplomacy and normative influence in the UN’s approach but raises questions about its effectiveness in enforcing international peace and security (Thakur, 2016). Nevertheless, the UN continues to serve as a vital forum where sovereign states can collaborate while maintaining their independence.

References

• Engdahl, G. (2018). The real reasons behind the United Nations' power struggles. Global Research. https://www.globalresearch.ca/
• Falkner, R., Hart, P., & M. M. (2017). The United Nations and Sustainable Development: Power, Politics, and Policy. Routledge.
• Mingst, K. A., & Arreguín-Toft, I. (2019). Essentials of International Relations. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Thakur, R. (2016). The United Nations, Peace and Security: From Collective Security to the Responsibility to Protect. Cambridge University Press.
• Whitman, W. N., & Cobb, W. N. (2020). Political Science Today (1st ed.). Sage, CQ Press.