We know that United Nations was established in order to maintain peace worldwide? But there have been many wars between countries in history even after its establishment... So what exactly was UN doing at that time, what was its role? Regardless mentioning about various tense areas even in current era.. l
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1This question appears to be off-topic because it is about basic facts that can be found in wikipedia. The "United Nations" were originally formed in World War II to combat the Axis powers.– Tom AuCommented Jul 31, 2014 at 16:31
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2That's not a valid off topic reason @TomAu. If you feel the question lacks prior effort, downvote it.– yannisCommented Aug 4, 2014 at 3:15
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@YannisRizos: OK. Close vote retracted. Downvoted instead for lack of research effort.– Tom AuCommented Aug 4, 2014 at 14:03
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It looked like you clicked submit before you were finished writing– Sam I am says Reinstate MonicaCommented Aug 4, 2014 at 18:44
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@SamIam I actually typed it, dont know maybe some error happened, but whatever, I got a satisfactory explanation. These facts are always falsified on internet, though not entirely, thats why i asked here and then there is the person claiming lesser effort put online, maybe he believes UN's truth is shown on net.– ManishCommented Aug 4, 2014 at 19:48
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2 Answers
I see the point in critics you state, there were numerous wars which couldn't be prevented by UN. The purpose of UN is to prevent wars, genocides and to give a forum where all the members can try to solve their problems diplomatically.
The criticism isn't without base, previously the League of Nations failed for same reasons, by lack of power preventing the second world war, since influental nations left the LN. UN is different in a way that all great powers have veto power, so for a major nation the UN won't turn into a seriously burdening organization. In exchange of course it suffers efficiency decrease.
I would like to point out some cases when UN had it's purpose even if the efficiency might be a subject of debate.
- There was no "World War Three". I am sure most of us are happy with this fact.
- There were numerous examples when Nikita Sergeyevich Khruschev held speech in UN, once he banged his shoes in UN, I wouldn't say this is the nicest example of a diplomatic move, but it is obvious if he has the same amount of anger nearby the nuke launcher pad, things could go way worse. Fun fact: the photo of the incident is fake.
- Kosovo independence didn't emerge to a long lasting war, which is more or less depended on UN peacekeepers.
- Northern-Southern Cyprus conflict didn't turn into war.
- Stabilization of Haiti since 1993
We can say: there is a purpose for UN, but it is obvious, it is not functioning with 100% success rate, and it will never do.
answered Jul 30, 2014 at 8:34
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So even you agree with the fact that the purpose of UN is not properly satisfied and its efficiency of functioning is very low..– ManishCommented Jul 30, 2014 at 9:40
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@Manish Well, what can I say? We don't have much to compare with, it functions better than League of Nations, I am sure it is not the maximum efficiency it provides, but can't tell what can be expected. Commented Jul 30, 2014 at 10:04
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@Manish - Do you have a suggestion for a body that will work better. Keep in mind US, Russia, and China are unlikely to join a body where they do not have veto power. (read will never ever happen except in the dreams of some left eye idealist) There is a rather substantial movement in the US to with draw from the UN as it is and that is with us having the ability to veto anything we disagree with. Commented Jul 30, 2014 at 13:50
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1@Manish - No its unofficial purpose is for superpowers to have a place to pull their strings in public so that there is less of a risk of the sting pulling happening in the dark being misinterpreted. If anybody is kept in check it is those countries that do not ally with either the US or Russia. Commented Jul 30, 2014 at 16:52
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1Is not it NATO in Kosovo rather than the UN? Also, Kosovo independence is the OUTCOME of a war, where one of the parties (Serbia) was defeated. So it did not lead to a longer war just because one of the parties to the conflict has been already defeated by NATO.– AnixxCommented Jul 31, 2014 at 6:51
The purpose of the UN is to have an open diplomatic channel between superpowers while letting the rest of the world feel important. This is why everything that has any impact goes through the security council, and all the permanent members get veto privileges. There were other stated goals about preventing genocides and war, but the UN has been pretty bad at both of those.
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3I downvoted not because I disagree with this answer(because I actually agree) but rather because it is expressed opinion presented as fact with out references to support it. Commented Jul 29, 2014 at 13:32
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which part are you unhappy about lack of references? Its unlikely anything official exists stating the UN is a joke for the US, Russia and China to play with, documenting the various wars and genocides that occurred on the UN's watch is possible though.– RyathalCommented Jul 29, 2014 at 21:57
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I didn't down toe because the answer is so true but it doesn't really answer the question, haha.– ShaharCommented Jul 31, 2014 at 2:11
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1@Ryathal - The whole thing. If you can not back up the answer then it should probably not be posted. Alternately reword it so it is clear that this is your assessment rather than presenting it as fact. If you choose that route then I would also expand to explain why you have come to that conclusion. Commented Jul 31, 2014 at 13:27
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@Ryathal Even if you answer is correct, would someone else who is only vaguely familiar with the UN be satisfied by your answer? If not, then your answer does not accomplish it's goal. Commented Aug 4, 2014 at 18:48