QUESTION: Realism/Neo-realism view the United Nations as an arena where
great power politics play off; Liberalism/Neo-liberalism contend that
it is the hub of international cooperation; and Dependency/World
Systems theories assert that it is a forum where developing countries
clamour for more equitable distribution of the international pie.
Which ONE theoretical perspective do you think best explains the
functions and operations of the United Nations and why?
NAME: N S
TITLE: The United Nations is seen as a hub of international cooperation
as contended by the liberal/neo-liberal perspective.
The United Nations (UN) was born at the end of the Second World War. It came into existence on October 24th, 1945, after it had been ratified by its five permanent members. “The UN’s Charter identified maintaining international peace and security through multilateral cooperation as its primary purpose,” (Charles Kegley: 525) and thereby sought to adopt collective measures and approaches to remove and prevent threats to peace among its member countries. The liberal/neo-liberal perspective fits into the UN framework as this was the raison d’etre. This perspective states that the application of reason and universal ethics to International Relations can lead to a more orderly, peaceful and cooperative world. The functions of the UN evolved from its main purpose. Thus, the operations of the UN are in keeping with their mandate.
A function of the UN is to promote peace-keeping; a dynamic instrument to aid countries by creating the conditions for eternal peace. The UN undergoes operations by sending peace-keepers to various regions to enforce the terms of peace agreements and to in turn discourage the combatants from resuming hostilities. This application of...