THE SECURITY ROLE OF UN AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TODAY

The Security Role of UN and International Organizations Today



Introduction1

Discussion2

Summary2

Comparison & Contrast of Authors' Perspectives4

Critique8

Conclusion13

References15

The Security Role of UN and International Organizations Today

Charnowitz, S., (1997) Two Centuries of Participation: NGOs and International Governance. Michigan Journal of International Law 18.2: p. 281-82

Islam S. M. (2004) Role of United Nations Peacekeeping In International Security: A Critical Analysis. Asian Affairs, 26, (3): p. 24-40.

Williams P. D., (2011). The African Union's Conflict Management Capabilities. Thesis. International Institute and Global Governance Program: New York

Introduction

What is role of UN and International organizations in peacekeeping nowadays? Or put differently, what difference, if any, does the United Nations and its multilateral institutions make in issues of global security? This review will seek to shed some light on this question through a thorough analysis of the three texts above. The United Nations, since its establishment in 1945, has been actively involved in extensive areas encompassing peace-keeping, social and human rights issues, arms control and the North-South problem. These texts under review address issues relating to the role and responsibilities of the United Nations and other International organizations in different conflict situations; Islam (2004) analyses the part played by United Nations as a peacekeeper in International security, Chung (2008) examines in to the role of Asia Pacific organizations in maintaining regional security, whereas Williams (2011) gives an overview and analysis of the African Unions' Peace and Security Council in his paper.

In spite of the different perspectives that these three texts cover on, all three concern themselves with the impact that the UN and regional organizations have in global governance and peacekeeping nowadays.

Discussion

Summary

Islam (2004) analyses the context of international security from both idealists and realists' perspective and then examines how the achievement of international security is carried out through international organizations, particularly by peace keeping operations of United Nations. Between realists and idealists, a great debate has been stormed who have a differing overview on the role of United Nations in securing peace and security through peacekeeping mission of UN. The structure of international system is perceived to be anarchical by realists. The only actor is the “sovereign states” in the structure and their security is extremely interdependent on states. Competitive and self-help conditions are imposed by this anarchical structure for its security role. In contrast, it is believed by idealists that international organizations can play a role in achievement of security. Islam (2004) puts forward that United Nations was founded after the end of Second World War, for maintaining the peace and collective security; however, at the very beginning, UN ability was blocked by the great power rivalry for the collective security action. Consequently, peacekeeping emerged as a substitute to collective security that was designed by the UN. Islam (2004) also points out the facts for the reluctance of great powers to operate peacekeeping missions beyond their own sphere of interests. He identifies that there would be no peacekeeping without the assent of great ...