After Consensus, What? Performance Criteria for the UN in the Post-Cold War Era

Abstract

Not since 1945 has the UN enjoyed such support across the East-West divide as today. Cold War standards to evaluate UN performance are now of little value, but there is little general and theoretical discussion of alternative criteria. In an effort to clarify the issues at stake in what is sure to be a lively debate, the authors derive four distinct performance criteria extant in the literature on UN performance. These criteria include (1) declarations found in organic documents (charter-based), (2) medium and short-term objectives established by agency officials (operational), (3) past performance (trend-based), and (4) a scenario following elimination of the agency (absence-based). The strengths and weaknesses of each criteria are discussed theoretically and concretely through use of the four criteria to assess UN peace-keeping operations. The authors conclude that a blending of the operational and trend-based approach offers the most promising avenue for UN evaluation.