Question

Critically evaluate United Nations Organisation.

Hint:

Balance your critique: norms + peacekeeping + agencies (strengths) vs veto, mandates, funding, reform deficit (limits).

Answer 1

Founded in 1945, the UN’s core strengths are universality and norm-setting: it shepherded decolonisation, human-rights covenants, refugee and maritime regimes, and today’s SDGs. Peacekeeping—though not war-winning—has contained conflicts at low cost, while agencies like WHO, UNICEF and WFP deliver vital public goods. Yet effectiveness is uneven. The Security Council veto produces paralysis and selectivity; peace operations often lack robust mandates, intelligence and exit strategies; budgets rely on a few donors; institutional reform of the Council, ECOSOC and development system is slow. Enforcement against aggressors is contingent on great-power politics. A credible reform agenda requires Council expansion, predictable financing, stronger prevention/mediation, and updated capacities for cyber, climate and pandemics—while preserving the UN’s impartial convening role (≈135 words).