The balance of power is integral to the functioning of the United Nations (UN) both in terms of decision-making and of action. They founded the UN with aims at cooperation and equality among all its members; however, in practice, the support and authority are still largely influenced by power differences of the nations, especially among the largest ones.
At the center of these dynamics is the United Nations Security Council in its current composition in which five of its members-United States, United Kingdom, China, Russia and France possess veto power. It gives them a right to veto on most decisions, there will not be any termination of a disagreement that is against their wish even if the rest of the world is in agreement. Therefore, in target countries, their interests are protected instead of ensuring that the international humanitarian goals are met.
This centralization of power creates an imbalanced environment where some of the smaller members of the global community will be practically unable to exert any earthly amount of pressure. However, General Assembly decisions are made on behalf of the member states where none carry any legal force and cannot be implemented. While decisions from the Security about SAARC are still only symbolic, the Authority about the same body has potential impacts, explaining the reality of the discrepancy between emic and etic representation.
Financial considerations play a particularly crucial role and can have a substantial impact on partnership decisions. Some of the sources suggested that the donor countries, especially the ones contributing to the UN core budget, may influence agencies and programs informally. It can instruct policy agendas, stifle dissent, and influence the decisions in the ways that are beneficial to the funders more than to the developing countries and peoples.
In practice these dynamics often make quick and co-ordinated responses to a particular problem extremely difficult. In relation to major power conflict, the interests of these conflicting states make it difficult for the Security Council to undertake any actions as evidenced by various geopolitical rivalries. That is why reform has been a topic of heated discussion for a long time, but the lack of agreement among the ruling elites does not allow for structural change. Once more, we see the truth regarding the UN that mirrors the world it occupies: a world that is controlled by certain powers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, There is no doubt that distribution of power within the structure and framework of the United Nations is influenced heavily by global power distribution. This goes against the principles of the organization’s formation based on upper and lower, and collective power. In essence thus, for the UN to work as a global institution of representation reform and balanced decision making is not an option but a necessity.
