Why United Nations Reforms Will Not Change the Status Quo

Abstract

The United Nations has been a successful organization; nevertheless, it is on the brink of becoming an irrelevant organization like the League of Nations, which ceased to be viable because it failed to protect weak states from aggressors. Today, the United Nations has failed to protect people in Third World countries from the tyrants within their borders who violate human rights and perpetuate genocide. Will the United Nations suffer the same fate as the League of Nations? It is possible. In recent years, some of its failures have led to calls for a complete overhaul of the organization. There have been charges of financial and administrative mismanagement, failed peacekeeping missions, and an inability to respond promptly during a crisis. Moreover, the Security Council reflects the world order that existed after World War II, rather than the world order that exists today. The United Nations seems overburdened. During the fall of 2000, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan held the Millennium Summit to breathe new life into the organization. Secretary-General Annan sought to make world leaders renew their commitment to the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was the largest gathering of world leaders ever. By most outward indications, the summit was a success; however, the proposed reforms will not work.