Restructuring of the UN security council

Abstract

The UN Security Council is under pressure to reform. Japan and Germany seek permanent membership as new ‘Big Powers’. The ‘Third World’ demands more representation because its ranks have grown. With respect to the Security Council the reform procedure favours claims based on equity rather than on power. A more ‘democratic’ Council will likely be a less effective one. The analysis of 77 reform proposals submitted by the UN members confirms that expectation. Countries least able to contribute to collective security are for the most radical ‘democratization’. The current permanent members resist change, the UK taking the firmest stand. They are against inviting gridlock in the sole UN body able to act with reasonable effectiveness. But with the United States talking about compromise, reform seems unavoidable, and in order to admit Germany and Japan to permanent membership, the smaller countries' demands will have to be accommodated.