Rapid Reaction Peacekeeping Under a Blue Flag: A Viable Response to Today's Global Environment

Abstract

Abstract : This monograph is a study of whether a standing rapid reaction force is viable for United Nation's peace operations. Since the end of Cold War, UN peace operations have vastly increased in size, scope and number. There are high expectations for the UN in the global security environment. Yet the UN has not been able to build momentum and support for peace operations as quickly as most of these situations require. This is a result of the UN's inability to adjust to the rapidly changing global environment. The monograph details the global environment and the challenges in peace operations presented by globalization and 'new wars'. The fundamental source of new wars is the crisis of state authority; a profound loss of legitimacy is apparent in the post-colonial states in the 1970s and 1980s and in the post communist states after 1989. In issues of sovereignty, the Cosmopolitan Approach highlights that the realist view of sovereignty, where state to state relationships are paramount, is too simplistic. Insertion of a UN rapid reaction force without the consent of the state involved normally violates the norms of sovereignty. However, under the Cosmopolitan Approach, since the state failed at one of its most important tasks, safety of its citizens, United Nations intervention is justified.