United Nations

Which of the following was NOT a reason for the establishment of the United Nations?

1. Disastrous World Wars
2. Division of the World into Three Blocs
3. Stockpiling of Destructive weapons
4. Fear of the Third World War

Answer

Division of the World into Three Blocs

Which of the following was NOT a purpose of the United Nations?

1. To develop friendly relations among nations
2. To achieve national cooperation in solving problems
3. To maintain international peace and security
4. To be a centre for harmonising the actions of nations

Answer

To achieve national cooperation in solving problems

Which of the following is NOT a part of the new objectives set by the UN?

1. Disarmament
2. Decolonisation
3. Disintegration
4. Development

Answer

Disintegration

Which of the following is NOT a principle of the United Nations?

1. To respect the sovereign equality of all its members
2. All members should settle their international disputes by peaceful means
3. The UN shall intervene in the domestic (internal) affairs of the state
4. Members should give the UN every assistance in any action it takes.

Answer

The UN shall intervene in the domestic (internal) affairs of the state

Which of the following statements are true about the UN?

P. The main purpose is to maintain international peace at all costs.
Q. The UN aims to develop friendly relations among nations.
R. All the organs of the UN are located at Paris.
S. The expenditure of the UN is met by contributions from member States.

1. P and Q
2. Q and R
3. R and S
4. Q and S

Answer

Q and S

How many Principal organs are there in the UN?

1. Four
2. Six
3. Eight
4. Ten

Answer

Six

Which Principal organ is the executive body of the UN?

1. The General Assembly
2. The Trusteeship Council
3. The International Court of Justice
4. The Security Council

Answer

The Security Council

Which of the following describes the flag of the UN?

1. The star spangled banner
2. The Indian tricolour
3. Light blue with the UN emblem in white
4. Collage of flags of all member states.

Answer

Light blue with the UN emblem in white

(A) The United Nations Organisation (UNO) was established on October 24, 1945.

(R) The bitter experience of two World Wars within a span of 25 years made the world leaders realise the need for having an organisation to maintain peace in the world.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — The bitter experience of two World Wars within a span of 25 years did make the world leaders realise the need for having an organisation to maintain peace in the world, which led to the establishment of the UNO.

(A) The League of Nations and the United Nations were established to prevent wars and to maintain peace in the world.

(R) Both the League of Nations and the United Nations were formed after the First World War.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — The League of Nations was established after the First World War and the United Nations was established after Second World War.

(A) Disarm, decolonise and develop are the three objectives of the UN.

(R) The Security Council's primary responsibility is maintenance of international peace and security.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Explanation — These two statements are related to different aspects of the UN. Therefore, they are independent statements, each describing a different facet of the UN.

(A) The United Nations has six official languages.

(R) All organs of the United Nations are based in New York, USA.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — While the United Nations (UN) is headquartered in New York City, USA, and five of its six principal organs are based there, the sixth organ, the International Court of Justice, is located in The Hague, Netherlands.

(A) The General Assembly is the main deliberative organ of the UN.

(R) The General Assembly elects the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. Therefore, it elects the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council.

(A) The Security Council’s five permanent members have the veto power.

(R) If a permanent member abstains from voting it does not amount to a veto.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Answer

(A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Explanation — A negative veto, or veto, only occurs when a permanent member is present and votes against a resolution. Therefore, if a permanent member abstains from voting it does not amount to a veto. Hence, the above given statements are both true but unrelated to each other.

Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:

Fifty Nations Charter The Rights of Man
Peace By Strength

With reference to the above headline in the Daily Mail dated June, 1945, which incident is being referred to and what was its final outcome?

Answer

The incident being referred to in the Daily Mail headline (June 1945) is the signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco Conference held in June, 1945 by 50 participating nations.

Its final outcome was that the United Nations (UN) was officially established on October 24, 1945, with the aim of maintaining international peace, security, and cooperation.

Why did world leaders decide to set up a world organisation to maintain peace?

Answer

The world leaders decided to set up a world organisation to maintain peace for the following reasons-

1. The destruction caused by the two World Wars.
2. The failure of the League of Nations to prevent wars and maintain peace.
3. The fear of a Third World War.
4. The division of the world into two power blocs led by the US and the USSR, respectively.
5. The invention of weapons of mass destruction like the atom bomb.

When was the name "The United Nations" used for the first time? Where was the UN established?

Answer

The name "The United Nations" was used for the first time on January 1, 1942.

The United Nations was established in New York, USA.

State the most important reason for the formation of the UN. Which day is celebrated as the UN Day every year?

Answer

The most important reason for the formation of United Nations is to maintain international peace and security, protect human rights, deliver humanitarian aid, promote sustainable development and uphold international law.

October 24 is celebrated every year throughout the world as the United Nations Day.

Where are the headquarters of the UN? Who can become the member of the UN?

Answer

The headquarters of the UN are based in New York, USA.

Membership of the UN is open to all peace-loving nations who believe in the principles of the UN and accept the obligations of the UN Charter.

Who appoints the Secretary-General of the UN? Who is the present Secretary-General of the UN?

Answer

The General Assembly appoints the Secretary-General of the UN on the recommendation of the Security Council.

António Guterres is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Name the principal organs of the United Nations.

Answer

The principal organs of the United Nations are-

1. The General Assembly
2. The Security Council
3. The International Court of Justice
4. The Economic and Social Council
5. The Trusteeship Council
6. The Secretariat

What can the General Assembly do if the Security Council fails to act in a case where there appears to be a threat to peace?

Answer

Under the "Uniting for Peace" resolution adopted by the General Assembly in November 1950, the Assembly may take action if the Security Council, because of a lack of unanimity of its permanent members, fails to act in a case where there appears to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression.

The Assembly is empowered to consider the matter immediately with a view to making recommendations to members for collective measures, including the use of armed force.

Name the permanent members of the Security Council.

Answer

The Security Council has five permanent members —

1. China
2. France
3. Russia
4. Britain
5. The United States of America

Where is the permanent headquarters of the International Court of Justice located? What is the importance of the International Court of Justice?

Answer

The permanent headquarters of the International Court of Justice is in The Hague, Netherlands.

It is important because it has a dual role:

1. It settles legal disputes submitted to it by the States.
2. It gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorised international organs and agencies.

The United Nations, its specialised agencies and staff have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 12 times. These include Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold (1961) and Kofi Annan (2001). With reference to the functioning of the United Nations, briefly answer the following:

(a) State the objectives of the UN.

(b) Mention the principles of the UN for its members.

(c) State any four functions of the UN.

Answer

(a) The objectives of the United Nations are as follows-

1. To maintain international peace and security, to take collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace, to suppress acts of aggression or other breaches of peace.
2. To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of people.
3. To achieve international cooperation in solving international economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian problems and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms.
4. To be a centre for harmonising the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.
5. Disarm, decolonise and develop are the three new objectives set by the UN.

(b) In order to fulfil the purposes for which UNO was established, the members shall act in accordance with the following principles:

1. To respect the sovereign equality of all its members.
2. All members should fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed by them.
3. They should settle their international disputes by peaceful means.
4. They would refrain from the threat or use of force against any State.
5. They should give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes.
6. The Organisation should ensure that States which are not members of the United Nations act in accordance with these principles.
7. The United Nations shall not intervene in the domestic, i.e., internal affairs of any State.

(c) Four functions of the United Nations are as follows-

1. Maintain international peace and security.
2. Protect human rights and deliver humanitarian aid.
3. Support sustainable development and climate action.
4. Uphold international law.

With reference to the General Assembly, explain the following:

(a) Composition of the General Assembly.

(b) Its role in the promotion of international cooperation.

(c) Any four of its functions.

Answer

(a) All members of the United Nations are members of the General Assembly.

1. Each State has five representatives in the General Assembly, but each State has one vote.
2. At the start of each regular session, the Assembly elects a new President, 21 Vice-Presidents and the Chairmen of the Assembly's six Main Committees.
3. To ensure equitable geographical representation, the presidency of the Assembly rotates each year among five groups of States: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, and Western Europe and other States.
4. Decisions on important matters are made by a two-third majority.
5. These matters include: the election of the non-permanent members of the Security Council, admission of new members, the suspension or expulsion of members, budgetary issues, etc.
6. Decisions on other questions are made by a majority of members present and voting.

(b) The role of the General Assembly in the promotion of international cooperation are as follows-

1. To consider and make recommendations on the principles of cooperation, in the maintenance of international peace and security.
2. To discuss any question relating to international peace and security and to make recommendations on it.
3. To initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political, social, and economic cooperation.
4. To make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

(c) Four functions of the General Assembly are as follows-

1. To receive and consider reports from the Security Council and other organs of the United Nations.
2. To consider and approve the budget of the United Nations and to apportion the contributions among members.
3. To elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council, and to elect the judges of the International Court of Justice.
4. To appoint the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council.

The Security Council is the most important and effective organ of the UN. In this context describe

(a) Composition of the Security Council.

(b) Veto power.

(c) Four of its functions.

Answer

(a) The Security Council consists of 15 members.

1. It has five permanent members —
   1. China
   2. France
   3. Russia
   4. Britain
   5. The United States of America
2. The regional representation of the ten non-permanent members is:
   • Afro-Asian countries — 5
   • Latin American countries — 2
   • West European and other countries — 2
   • East European countries — 1.
3. The ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly by a two-third majority for a term of two years.
4. A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election.
5. The Presidency of the Council rotates monthly, according to the English alphabetical listing of its member States.

(b) Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions on procedural matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. The negative vote of a permanent member is called a veto. The Council is powerless to act if any of the five permanent members uses the veto power. However abstinence from voting does not amount to a negative vote or veto.

(c) Four functions of the Security Council related to maintaining world peace are as follows:

1. To maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations.
2. To investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction and to take military action against an aggressor.
3. To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments.
4. To call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression.

With reference to the International Court of Justice, explain the following:

(a) Its Composition.

(b) Its Compulsory Jurisdiction.

(c) Its Advisory Jurisdiction.

Answer

(a) Composition of the International Court of Justice is as follows:

1. It is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council sitting independently of each other.
2. It may not include more than one judge from any nationality.
3. Elections are held every three years for one-third of the seats, and retiring judges may be re-elected.
4. The Court elects its President and Vice-President for a three-year term. They may, when their term expires, be re-elected.
5. The Court has the power to appoint its Registrar.

(b) The International Court of Justice has compulsory Jurisdiction in the following areas:

1. Against the background that a large number of treaties provide that disputes are submitted to the Court.
2. Disputes pertaining to the interpretation of international law.
3. Reparation, i.e., compensation to be made for the breach of an international obligation.

(c) The advisory procedure of the International Court of Justice is open solely to international organisations.

1. The only bodies at present authorised to request advisory opinions of the Court are five organs of the United Nations and 16 specialised agencies of the United Nations family.
2. Since 1946 the Court has given 24 Advisory Opinions, concerning reparation for injuries suffered in the service of the United Nations, territorial status of South-West Africa and Western Sahara, etc.

Study the emblem and answer the questions:

(a) Identify the Organisation associated with the emblem. Mention any three principles of this organisation.

(b) Where is the headquarters of this organisation located? Which is the main deliberative organ of this organisation? State any three of its functions.

(c) Name the principal judicial organ of this organisation and explain its composition.

Answer

(a) The picture shows the emblem of United Nations Organisation.

Three principles of this organisation for its Member States are as follows-

1. To respect the sovereign equality of all its members.
2. All members should fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed by them.
3. They should settle their international disputes by peaceful means.

(b) The headquarters of this organisation is located at New York City, USA.

The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. Three functions of the General Assembly are as follows-

1. To consider and make recommendations on the principles of cooperation, in the maintenance of international peace and security.
2. To discuss any question relating to international peace and security and to make recommendations on it.
3. To initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political, social, and economic cooperation.

(c) The principal judicial organ of United Nations Organisation is the International Court of Justice. It's composition is as follows:

1. It is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council sitting independently of each other.
2. It may not include more than one judge from any nationality.
3. Elections are held every three years for one-third of the seats, and retiring judges may be re-elected.
4. The Court elects its President and Vice-President for a three-year term. They may, when their term expires, be re-elected.
5. The Court has the power to appoint its Registrar.

Do you think the UN has justified the role for which it was established in 1945, considering the recent wars between Ukraine and Russia and Iran and Israel? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer

The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 to maintain international peace and security. However, its effectiveness is questioned, especially in recent conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Iran-Israel.

1. Failure to Prevent Wars

(i) Russia-Ukraine War: The UN failed to stop Russia’s invasion, as Russia vetoed resolutions against itself in the Security Council. This shows UN's limitations in enforcing peace when a P5 country is involved.

(ii) Iran-Israel Conflict: Despite UN calls for de-escalation, both nations continue military actions, showing the UN's limited influence.

2. Veto Power Weakens Action

(i) The five permanent members (P5)—USA, UK, Russia, China, France—use veto power to block resolutions based on national interests.

(ii) Russia used Veto power to block actions against itself in the Ukraine war, and the US has vetoed resolutions on Israel, making the UN politically ineffective in major conflicts.

3. Lack of Military Enforcement

(i) The UN relies on diplomacy and economic sanctions, which are often ignored by powerful nations.

(ii) It does not have its own army and depends on the member states for action, making it slow and ineffective in stopping wars.

4. Success in Humanitarian Aid

(i) UN agencies (WHO, WFP, UNHCR) have provided food, medical aid, and refugee support in war zones.

(ii) However, aid alone cannot stop conflicts, proving the UN is reactive rather than preventive.

While the UN plays a crucial role in diplomacy and humanitarian aid, it has failed to prevent wars involving powerful nations due to veto power and lack of enforcement mechanisms.

Do you think that in the changed global scenario, the Security Council should add more permanent members? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer

Yes, the Security Council should add more permanent members to make it representative of the contemporary world, and not the world of its founding in 1945. The reasons for this are summarized below:

1. Despite profound changes in global realities, the basic structure of the Security Council has not changed significantly from its original form of 1945. Therefore the present Security Council does not reflect today's realities.
2. When the UN was established in 1945, there were 51 Member States. Now, there are 193 Member States, nearly four times the original number whereas the number of permanent members have remained the same at five.
3. The Asia-Pacific Group holds 54 Member States in the UN, with more than half of the world's population. Despite its considerable growth, Asia is currently represented in the Council by a number equivalent to only one-fifth of the Member States (China and two non-permanent members).
4. Africa also accounts for more than one-fourth of the Member States. However, there is no permanent seat for Africa and only three non-permanent seats.

Thus, for a credible, effective and representative Security Council, more permanent members should be added to it.