Responses to Our Global Neighborhood
Student 1
Hello Morales
The United Nations remains the most potent body that supersedes even the regional economic or defense blocs. I concur with you concerning the five permanent members of the UN and the criteria used in the selection of such countries in the position. However, I’m afraid I have to disagree with you on the role of the League of Nations towards the formation of the UN. The League of Nations was formed after the end of the First World War, and its establishment was purely based on the prevention of the occurrence of another World War (Hansen, 2011). However, several studies point out that due to the harsh resolutions it imposed on Central Powers. The recommendations hugely blamed the Central Powers for the break out of the First World War (Hansen, 2011). Therefore, the formation of the UN was to address the shortcomings of the League of Nations. Its creation marked the death of the League of Nations.
Reference
Hansen, A. S. (2011). Policing the peace: The rise of the United Nations formed police units. ZIF Center for International Peace Operations-Policy Briefing, 2.
Student 2
Hello Ryan
Appreciate how constructive and insightful your discussion is and how it touches on the issues of sovereignty. Since its formation, the UN has embarked on several peace-keeping missions that are in line with its mission to maintain global peace and stability. However, before starting on such initiatives, the members of the Security Council engage in the voting process, which is subject to a veto from the five members (Deng, 2018). Though there are concerns about the UN overstepping its mandate and human rights violation in the countries they carry peace-keeping missions, such matters are dealt with by the internal bodies that are aimed to offer amicable conflict resolutions (Deng, 2018). Again, the UN engages in humanitarian aid, peace-keeping, and other initiatives under the permission of the Security Council and the member country or the regional blocs.
Reference
Deng, F. M. (2018). Reconciling sovereignty with responsibility: A basis for international humanitarian action. In Africa in World Politics (pp. 283-325). Routledge.