Chapter 4: International Organisations

Long Answer Questions (English, Detailed)

Q1. Why was the United Nations established? Discuss its main objectives.

Introduction:
The UN was established on 24 October 1945 after WWII to prevent another global war and promote peace. It replaced the League of Nations, which had failed.

Body:
– Objectives include:
  1. Maintain international peace and security through collective security.
  2. Promote human rights, dignity, and equality.
  3. Encourage cooperation in economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian fields.
  4. Provide a platform for dialogue among states.
  5. Uphold principles of sovereign equality and peaceful dispute settlement.

Conclusion:
The UN is the most important universal organisation, providing legitimacy and a common forum for global issues.

Q2. Explain the structure and functioning of the UN Security Council.

Introduction:
The Security Council (SC) is the most powerful UN body, responsible for peace and security.

Body:
– Composition: 15 members – 5 permanent (US, UK, France, Russia, China) with veto power, and 10 non-permanent elected for 2 years.
– Functions:
  – Investigates disputes and recommends solutions.
  – Authorises sanctions, peacekeeping operations, and military action.
  – Admits new members, approves UN Secretary-General.
– Veto power: Any permanent member can block decisions, making SC decisions dependent on great power consensus.

Conclusion:
The SC reflects 1945 realities; reforms are needed to make it more representative of today’s world.

Q3. Why are reforms in the UN necessary?

Introduction:
Since 1945, global politics has changed, but the UN structure (esp. SC) remains outdated.

Body:
– Reasons for reform:
  1. SC is dominated by 5 powers of WWII; under-representation of Asia, Africa, Latin America.
  2. Veto power is undemocratic.
  3. Developing countries (India, Brazil, South Africa) have grown in power but lack permanent representation.
  4. New issues like terrorism, climate change, cyber security require more inclusive decision-making.

Conclusion:
Reform is essential for credibility, efficiency, and democratic legitimacy of the UN.

Q4. Discuss India’s claim for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

Introduction:
India seeks a permanent seat in the SC as part of UN reforms.

Body:
– Strengths of India’s claim:
  1. Largest democracy with over 1.4 billion people.
  2. 2nd most populous country and major economy.
  3. Consistently among top contributors to UN peacekeeping.
  4. Nuclear power and regional leader in South Asia.
  5. Active role in NAM, climate negotiations, WTO.
– Support: Backed by countries like US, Russia, France, UK, but opposed by some (e.g., China, Pakistan).

Conclusion:
India’s claim is strong but requires consensus among UN members for realisation.

Q5. Analyse the limitations of the UN in maintaining world peace.

Introduction:
While the UN has helped resolve conflicts, it has often failed in crises.

Body:
– Failures:
  – Could not prevent Cold War conflicts (Korea, Vietnam).
  – Veto paralysed action in many cases (e.g., US veto on Israel-related resolutions).
  – Failed to stop US invasion of Iraq (2003) and NATO in Kosovo (1999).
  – Limited success in Syria, Ukraine crises.
– Structural limitations: Overdependence on big powers; limited enforcement powers.

Conclusion:
The UN provides legitimacy and a forum, but without reform and stronger enforcement, its peacekeeping capacity remains limited.

Q6. Explain the role of specialised UN agencies in global governance.

Introduction:
UN agencies handle economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian issues.

Body:
– WHO: Global health, polio eradication, COVID-19 response.
– UNESCO: Education, heritage, cultural cooperation.
– UNICEF: Child rights, nutrition, immunisation.
– ILO: Labour rights, conventions on workers.
– IAEA: Nuclear monitoring and non-proliferation.
– IMF & World Bank: Financial stability, development loans.
– WTO: Free trade and dispute settlement.

Conclusion:
These agencies complement UN’s peace efforts by promoting sustainable development and cooperation.

Q7. Discuss the role of NGOs and human rights organisations in international politics.

Introduction:
Apart from states, NGOs and rights groups influence world politics.

Body:
– Amnesty International: Monitors political prisoners, human rights abuses.
– Human Rights Watch: Investigates violations and pressures governments.
– Greenpeace, Oxfam: Environmental protection, poverty reduction, development.
– Significance: Provide data, advocacy, mobilise global opinion, pressure states/UN.

Conclusion:
NGOs add moral force and accountability, making international politics more humane.

Q8. What is the significance of the UN in a unipolar world dominated by the US?

Introduction:
After 1991, US emerged as sole superpower.

Body:
– UN legitimises US actions when approved (e.g., Gulf War 1991).
– US sometimes bypasses UN (e.g., Iraq 2003), showing UN weakness.
– Still, UN provides platform for smaller states to voice concerns.
– Peacekeeping, climate talks, SDGs show UN’s relevance beyond US power.

Conclusion:
UN remains relevant as a universal body, but needs reform to balance US dominance.

Q9. Compare the UN with the League of Nations.

Introduction:
The UN replaced the League after WWII.

Body:
– League of Nations (1919): Failed due to US non-membership, no enforcement power, rise of fascism, WWII.
– UN (1945): More universal membership, stronger organs (SC with enforcement powers), larger mandate (development, human rights, environment).
– Successes of UN: Decolonisation, peacekeeping, humanitarian aid.

Conclusion:
The UN overcame League’s weaknesses but still faces challenges of reform and credibility.

Q10. Evaluate the importance of international organisations in the age of globalisation.

Introduction:
Globalisation makes states interdependent; problems require cooperation.

Body:
– Organisations like UN, WTO, IMF, IAEA regulate and guide international cooperation.
– Address issues of trade, finance, environment, terrorism, pandemics.
– Provide rules, norms, dispute settlement, technical aid.
– Critics: dominated by powerful states; inequality in decision-making.

Conclusion:
Despite shortcomings, international organisations are vital in managing globalisation and ensuring collective security and development.