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19 Jun 2019
GS Paper 4
Theoretical Questions
As an international organisation committed to global peace, has the UN been able to ensure international ethics? Examine along with reasons given in support of your answer. (250 words)
Introduction
- International ethics concerns with ethical obligations between countries. Issues like wars, state backed ethnic conflicts, terrorist attacks, nuclear arms proliferation etc. involve questions of international ethics e.g. whether a particular war is ‘just war’.
- The United Nations was established in 1945 to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war and one of its main purposes is to maintain international peace. Yet on many occasions it has failed in its mission as well as in ensuring international ethics for establishing peace.
Body
Reasons for failure of UN to build International ethics
- Competing blocks: UNSC at present is too undemocratic and concentrates power in 5 permanent members who use their veto power to satisfy their own and allies ‘national interest’ without any ethical considerations e.g. in Syria competing blocks are fighting for territorial control.
- Lack of reform in UNSC: The Security Council's membership and working methods reflect a bygone era. Though geopolitics has changed drastically, emerging nations are demanding more representative quota in UNSC which is important for enhancing its legitimacy. Greater sharing of power would help in reaching consensus on common issues quickly and democratically. It will also ensure condemnation of unethical actions without any favours or bian, thus creating a moral pressure on the perpetrating state.
- Failure to invoke R2P: In 2005, the UN and its member states collectively sanctioned ‘Responsibility to Protect (R2P), R2P’s core tenant decrees on every sovereign state an obligation to safeguard its inhabitants from mass atrocities, and the duty may fall to the wider international community. In Rohingya’s crisis UN failed to invoke R2P as China opposed action.
- Failure to convince P-5 countries: UN ability to tackle peacekeeping challenges and thus protecting human right depends on its capacity to persuade big powers to take the UN seriously. However, UN has failed in this pursuit to build a case for International morality vis-à-vis hard national interest.
Way Forward
- There is a dire need for reforms in United Nations based on equality and democratic spirit. An organization built on the moral principles of equality and representation will promote International ethics and world peace.
