POLITICAL SCIENCE

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTION (1 MARK)

Q1. Who is the present Secretary General of the United Nations?

Antonio Guterres from Portugal (Appointed in 2017)

Q2. Name any two member states of the European Union who are permanent members of
the UN Security Council?
Britain and France

Q3. What is the main objective of the United Nations?

To prevent international conflict and to facilitate cooperation among states. It was
found with the objective that it would stop the conflicts between states escalating
into war and if war broke out, limit the extent of the hostilities.

Q4. Mention few agencies of the United Nations?

IMF - International Monetary Fund
WHO - World Health Organization.
UNESCO - United Nation Education Scientific and Cultural Organization.
ILO – International Labour Organisation
FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization

Q5. What is Amnesty International?

Amnesty International is an NGO, which was established to campaign for
protection of human rights all over the world. Its objective is to promote respect for
all the human beings and their rights in accordance with the Universal declaration of
Human Rights.

Q6. How many member countries have got veto power in the UN Security Council and
Why?
OR
Which members of UNSC have veto power? [CBSE 2012]
Five permanent member countries i.e. France, Russia, UK, the US, China got veto
power because they have been emerged as industrialized developed countries to stall
any decision.

Q7. Mention any two advantages of having international organization in the world?
To help countries in the matters of conflicts and differences.
To make the countries cooperate and create better living conditions for humanity.

Q8. State any two objectives of the UN?

To maintain international peace and security.
To facilitate cooperation among member countries by avoiding conflicts and war.
Q9. State any two objectives of Human Rights watch.
To draw global media’s attention to human rights abuses.
To help in building international coalitions like the campaigns to ban land-mines,
to stop the use of child soldier, and to establish international criminal court.

Q10. What are the Millennium Development Goals?

Poverty, Shelter, Environment, Sustainable Development, Hunger, Food supply are
part of Millennium Development Goals. They were given importance at 60th
anniversary of UN in 2005.

Q11. How many permanent and how many non- permanent members does the UN
Security Council have?
It has five permanent members (Britain, France, Russia, USA and China) and 10
non-permanent members who have tenure of 2 years. The membership of UNSC
was increased from 11-15 in 1965.

Q12. What is the full form of WTO? When was it set up and how does it function?
World Trade Organization. It was set up in 1995 as a successor to GATT (General
Agreement on Trade and Tariffs).
It sets the rule for global trade; all decisions are taken unanimously but the major
economic power such as EU, USA and Japan have managed to use WTO to frame
rules of trade to advance their own interest.

Q13. Describe any four functions of World Bank? [CBSE-2017]

It works for human development (especially education and health)
It works for agriculture and rural development (irrigation, rural services)
It works for environment protection (pollution reduction, establishing and
enforcing regulations).
It works for good governance (anti-corruption, development, of legal institutions)
It provides loans and grants to the member countries for development project.

Q14. What does IMF stand for? Write its main function? What is the role of top ten
member nations of IMF?
IMF stands for International Monetary Fund. Its main function are-:
It oversees those financial institutions and regulations that act at the international
level.
The IMF has 188 member countries (as on 1st September 2012) but they do not enjoy
equal say, the top ten countries have more than 52 percent of votes.
They are G-8 members US. Japan, Germany, France, UK, Italy Canada and Russia,
China and Saudi Arabia.
Q15. Give any two reasons why Veto Power of permanent members of Security Council
cannot be abolished?
It has been suggested that the veto power of five permanent members should be
abolished. Many perceived veto to be in conflict with the concept of democracy but
permanent members are unlikely to agree on such reforms. Without veto, there is the
danger as in 1945 that the great powers would lose interest in the world body, that
they would do what they pleased outside it and that without their support and
involvement the body would be ineffective.
Q16. “The UN is an indispensable organisation” Justify the statement with any two suitable
arguments.
UN can and has served to bring the US and rest of the world into discussions over
various issues.
US leaders, in spite of their frequent criticism of the UN, do see the organization
as serving a purpose in bringing together over 193 nations in dealing with conflict
and social and economic development.
As for rest of the world, the UN provides an arena in which it is possible to
modify US attitudes and policy.
While the rest of the world is rarely united against Washington ad while it is
virtually impossible to balance US power ,the UN does provide a space within
which arguments against specific US attitude
The UN is imperfect body but without it world will be worse off.
Given the growing connections and links between societies and issues – what we
often call interdependence-it is hard to imagine how more than seven billion
people will survive together .
Technology interdependence has promised to increase planetary interdependence
and therefore the importance of UN will only increase.

Q17. Discuss the resolution adopted by General Assembly in 1992 over the reform of the
UN Security Council?
OR
Describe the three main complaints related to UN Security Council which were
reflected in the resolution passed by the UN general assembly in 1992
OR
Describe the three new criteria that have been proposed for new permanent
members of UNSC.
In 1992, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution, which reflected three
main complaints:
The UN Security Council no longer represents contemporary political realities.
Its decisions reflect only western values and interests and are dominated by a
few powers.
It lacks equitable representation.
In view of growing demands for the restructuring of the UN, On 1 January 1997,
the UN Secretary –General Kofi Annan initiated an enquiry into how UN
should be reformed. Reforms were proposed as criteria for new permanent and non-
permanent members of UNSC as per given guidelines suggested after 1997,
should be-:
a. A major economic power
b. A major military power.
c. A substantial contributor to the UN budget.
d. A big nation in terms of its populations.
e. A nation that respects democracy and human rights
f. A country that would make the Council more representative of the world’s
diversity in terms of geography, economic system, and culture.
 Q18. Critically evaluates the difficulties involved in implementing the suggested
reforms to reconstruct the U.N.?
OR
It is believed that a strengthened and revitalized UN is desirable in the changing
world. Highlight the necessary reforms for its strengthening?
OR
Describe the two basic kind of reforms on which almost everyone agrees that
they must be introduced in the UN after the Cold war.
 On the reforms of structures and processes, the biggest discussion has been on the
functioning of Security Council. Related to this there has been demand to increase the
members of Security Council so that the realities of Contemporary world politics are better
reflected in the structure of organization.
 It is also believed that the UNSC lacks equitable representation and in view of this growing
demand, on 1st January 1997, the UN secretary general Kofi Annan initiated an inquiry
into how the UN should be reformed. In the years since then some criteria have been
proposed for permanent and non- permanent members of Security Council.
 A new member it has been suggested should be: a major economic power, military power,
substantial contributor to UN budgetary process, a big nation in terms of population,
nation that respects democracy and human rights and lastly a country that would make
council more representative of world’s diversity.
 Clearly each of these criteria has some validity. Government saw advantages in some
criteria and disadvantages in others depending on their interest and aspirations .Since there
is no clarity as in how big an economic and military power has to be, what level of budget
contribution would enable a state to buy its way to security council, was a big population
an asset or liability, if respect for democracy and human rights is the criteria then countries
with excellent records would be in line to be member of security council but will all these
parameters will provide an effective member and moreover how a single county suffices
in all the parameters.
 Secondly, it has been suggested that the veto power of five permanent members should
be abolished. Many perceived veto to be in conflict with the concept of democracy but
permanent members are unlikely to agree on such reforms. Without veto, there is the
danger that the great powers would lose interest in the world body, that they would do
what they pleased outside it and that without their support and involvement the body
would be ineffective.
 Thirdly as UNSC lacks equitable representation, there is debate that equitable
representation should be on geographical terms means that there should be one seat each
from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Should the representation on the other hand be by
regions or sub-regions?
 Lastly there is concern with reference to the area of work to be handled by UN. Some
countries and experts want the organization to play greater and effective role in peace and
security mission, while others want it’s role to be confined to development and
humanitarian work (health, education , environment, population control , human rights
and gender, social justice).
Q19. State the main expectations on the basis of which United Nations was formed in 1945.
Mention any two organs and agencies each of UN.
 The UN was founded as the successor to the League of Nation. It was established in 1945
immediately after the Second World War. It tried to achieve what league could not do.
 UN’s objective is to prevent international conflict and to facilitate cooperation among
states.
 It was founded with the hope that it would act to stop conflicts between states escalating
into war.
 Furthermore since conflicts often arose from the lack of social and economic
development, the UN was intended to bring countries together to improve the prospects
of social and economic development.
 Two organs of UNO are-:
 General Assembly:-All the UN member states are involved in the general assembly.
Usually only one conference is held for the General Assembly. By 2006, the UN had
almost 192 member states these included almost all independent states. In the UN general
assembly all members have one vote each; the session for the general assembly is
conducted by General Secretary who is considered to be the most important UN
functionary. The main functions of General Assembly are to propose and effective
solutions to the problems related to peace and safety, to pass UN budget and to elect
members of other organs of UN.
 Security Council: The most important of them is United Nation Security Council; it has
five permanent members and 10 non- permanent members. The five permanent members
of UNSC are USA, Britain, France, Russia and China. These countries were selected as
they were the most powerful immediately after Second World War. The 10 non-permanent
members are selected by General Assembly for the duration of 2 years.
 Main functions are to establish peace in the world, to resolve conflicts and propose
solutions and use its power against any country. It elects judges of International court of
Justice with the help of general assembly.
 It holds a special privilege and power called “Veto Power”. All members have one veto.
However, the permanent members can vote in negative manner so that even if all other
non- permanent members vote for a particular decision, any permanent members’ negative
vote can stall the decision. This negative vote is called veto.

Q20. Describe any six criteria for the new membership of Security Council as suggested
after 1997?
OR
Examine the six reforms proposed as criteria for new permanent and non-
permanent members of UNSC [6 marks]
A new member, as suggested after 1997, should be
a. A major economic power
b. A major military power.
c. A substantial contributor to the UN budget.
d. A big nation in terms of its populations.
e. A nation that respects democracy and human rights
f. A country that would make the Council more representative of the world’s diversity
in terms of geography, economic system, and culture.

Q21. What is the veto power? Should it be modified?

The veto power is a negative vote to stall any decision by five permanent members of
UN Security Council. Sometimes the moves have been made to modify this but it is
presumed to have a danger to lose interest by great powers, and without their support
and involvement such organization would become ineffective.
Q22. What was the main challenge for UN in the end of cold war?
The main challenge for UN post cold war was to handle the US and other western
powers. Other countries and govt. felt that US and western countries are so powerful
that it would be difficult to keep a check on their desires and decision which may not be
in favor of other countries.

Q23. List the problems associated with the suggestion or criteria kept to increase the members
in Security Council?
Although certain criteria’s have been mentioned but the criteria are been questioned:
a. A country should be major economic & military power but the question arises that
how big the military and economic power a country should be,
b. What level of budget contribution would enable to state to buy its way into the
council.
c. A large population has been kept as criteria but is large population in asset or
liability.
d. If respect for human rights was the criteria then many countries would stand in line
to be member but will they make effective council members.
e. If India is included, some emerging powers (Brazil, Germany, Japan, and South
Africa) will also be accommodated.
f. France and the US advocate that Africa and South America must be represented for
they do not have any representation in the present structure to have equitable
representation in Security Council.

Q24. What steps should be taken to make the UN more relevant in the changing
context?
OR
Suggest any six steps since 2005 to make the United Nations more relevant in the
changing context?
OR
List any six steps which should be taken to make the United Nations more relevant
in the changing context as decided by the heads of all member states in September
2005.
In September 2005, the UN celebrated its 60th anniversary and leaders decided to
make it more relevant in the changing context by following steps:
a. Creation of Peace Building Commission.
b. Acceptance of responsibility of international community in case of failures of
national governments to protect their own citizens from atrocities.
c. Establishment of Human Rights Council ( Operational since 19th June 2006)
d. Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
e. An agreement to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
f. Creation of democracy Fund
g. An agreement to wind up trusteeship council.

Q25. What are the changes that have been taken since the founding of UN which have
made it necessary to introduce reforms?
OR
State the changes which took place in the world post the end of cold war?
 Disintegration of Soviet Union.
 The establishment of unipolar world. US became the strongest power.
  The relationship between Russia successor of USSR and US are much more
cooperative.
 China emerged as great economic power and India too is rapidly growing.
 The economies of Asia are growing at an unprecedented rate.
 Many new countries joined UN as they became independent from Soviet Union or
former communist state in Eastern Europe.
 A whole new set of challenges confronts the world (Genocide, civil war, ethnic
conflict, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, environmental degradation,
epidemics).

Q26. What makes India’s claim stronger to become sixth permanent member of Security
Council?
OR
Highlight any four factors which justify India’s claim to a permanent seat in UN
Security Council.
OR
Examine the role played by India in implementation of UN policies and programmes.
Since India is rapidly growing economy, India stands a good chance to hold the sixth
permanent seat in Security Council. Below given arguments can justify India’s claim
a. India is the second most populous country in the world comprising almost one –
fifth of the world population.
b. India is also world’s largest democracy.
c. India has participated in virtually all of the initiatives of the UN.
d. India’s efforts in US peace keeping operations are substantial and important.
e. India’s economic emergence in world stage is major factor which makes India claim
in UNSC much stronger.
f. India has made regular contribution in UN peace keeping operations and initiatives
and has never faltered on its payment.

Q27. List the obstacles or concerns which stand in India’s path to seek permanent
membership in UNSC?
 Neighbouring Pakistan, with which India has troubled relations, is not the only country
that is reluctant to see India become permanent veto member of Security Council.
 Some countries for instance are concerned about India’s nuclear weapon capabilities;
they feel being nuclear power India might not misuse its nuclear energy in wrong
manner.
 Some feel that India having its troublesome relation with Pakistan will not let it become
effective member.
 Yet other feel that if India is included then other emerging powers will have to be
accommodated like Brazil, Germany, Japan, S. Africa.
 Some feel that Africa and S. America should be given importance since UNSC does
not have any permanent member from these continents.

Q28. What reforms are required in the UN?

 Following reforms are required in the UN:
 Reform of the organizations structures and processes.
 A review of the issues that fall within the jurisdiction of the organization.
  Reforms with regard to structure is the reform with regard to permanent and non –
permanent members in Security Council, it is demanded that members in UNSC should
be increased to reflect realities of contemporary world politics in the organization.
 There is proposal to increase the membership from Asia, Africa, South America
 Apart from this US and other western countries want improvement in UNs budgetary
procedures and its administration.
 On the issues to be given priority or to be brought within the jurisdiction of the UN,
some countries and experts want the organisation to play greater role in peace and
security mission while others want its work to be confined on humanitarian grounds
like health, education and environment etc.
 Reforms are required due to certain limitations to the UN i.e. only five members on
permanent basis in the UN Security Council and their veto power, dominance of few
powerful countries etc.

Q29. Examine the role played by India in the implementation of UN policies and
programs?
 India believes that a strengthened and revitalized UN is desirable in the changing
world.
 India also supports an enhanced role for the UN in promoting development and
cooperation among states.
 India believes that the development should be central to the UN’s agenda as it is a vital
precondition for the maintenance of international peace and security.
 India debates more representation in Security Council may enjoy greater support in
world community.
 India has major concern about restructuring of UN Security Council.
 India supports the increase in permanent and non- permanent members in Security
Council.

Q30. How far did the UN perform its role successfully in maintaining peace in the world?
Explain.
 Interdependence and globalization is not possible without the international
organizations such as the UN.
 To enhance cooperation on the issues of poverty, unemployment, environmental
degradation, crime rate etc.
 To provide financial assistance to developing countries to stabilize economy all over
the world, the UN and its specialized agencies are always required.
 The UN works as a forum to solve any international dispute among nations and sort
out the best possible.
 Hence, though the UN has failed in preventing any related wars and miseries, despite
the nations require its continuation due to above mentioned reasons to promote
international peace and understanding.

Q31. Can the UN serve as a balance against the US dominance?

 No, the UN cannot serve against the US dominance in a comfort zone because:
a. After the disintegration of USSR, US have been the only superpower after 1991 and
may ignore international organizations economically and militarily.
b. Secondly within the UN the influence of US is considerable, as the single largest
contributor to the UN the US has unmatched financial power.
 c. The fact that UN is officially based at USA gives Washington additional power and
influence on UN.
d. The US also has many nationals in UN bureaucracy.
e. Its veto power can stop any move damaging its interests or the interest of its allies
and friends.
f. The US enjoys a considerable degree of say in the selection of the UN Secretary
General.
 Besides the above mentioned grounds, the UN is playing an effective role to argument
against the US attitudes and policies , although US keeps surpassing UN instructions and
even give frequent criticism they too feel that UN is playing important role in bringing
190 nations together and solving all military , economic and social conflicts.
 UN can and has served to bring the US and rest of the world into discussions over
various issues.
 US leaders, in spite of their frequent criticism of the UN, do see the organization as
serving a purpose in bringing together over 190 nations in dealing with conflict and
social and economic development.
 As for rest of the world, the UN provides an arena in which it is possible to modify US
attitudes and policy.
 While the rest of the world is rarely united against Washington ad while it is virtually
impossible to balance US power ,the UN does provide a space within which arguments
against specific US attitude
 The UN is imperfect body but without it world will be worse off.
 Given the growing connections and links between societies and issues – what we often
call interdependence-it is hard to imagine how more than seven billion people will
survive together.
 Technology interdependence has promised to increase planetary interdependence and
therefore the importance of UN will only increase.

Q32. Why do we need international organization?

OR
What is the significance of international organization?
 International organizations are not the answer to everything but they are important.
international organizations help with the matter of war and peace and they help countries
to cooperate in order to make better living conditions.
 International organization help countries to deal with differences and antagonism and
discuss contentious issues and find peaceful solutions instead getting them escalated to
war.
 International organization also help in dealing with issues which cannot be dealt or solved
by one country. It helps in pulling and binding of all the member countries in solving such
global issues for example – spread of dieases, epidemic, natural disaster, inoculating or
vaccination etc.
 International organizations provide the mechanism on how countries can cooperate with
each other to solve common issues and threats, at times countries do conclude on common
understanding but are not able to resolve the conflict. IO create path to solve such issues.
 International Organization is required to bind more than 190 countries of the world and
have networking between the world. With the existence of international organization we
have been able to solve and can think of solving some global issues like terrorism, global
warming etc.
Q33. Write a note on the evolution of UN and its objectives?
OR
Trace the evolution of United Nations since its establishment in 1945. How does it
function with the help of its various structures and agencies?
 The First World War encouraged the world to invest in an international organization to
deal with conflict. Many believed that such an organization would help world in avoiding
war. Based on this theory “League of Nations” was formed.
 However it failed in preventing Second World War which took place between 1939-45
and created lot of destruction which further gave birth to United Nations in 1945.
 The organization was set up through the signing of the United Nations Charter by 51 states.
It tried to achieve what league could not achieve between two world wars.
 UN’s objective is to prevent international conflict and to facilitate cooperation among
states. It was founded with the hope that it would act to stop conflicts between states
escalating into war.
 Furthermore since conflicts often arose from the lack of social and economic
development, the UN was intended to bring countries together to improve the prospects
of social and economic development.
 By 2006 UN had 192 member states, all independent member states.
 In UN general assembly all members have one vote each, In UN Security Council there
are 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members. Permanent members are USA,
UK, Russia, France, and China.
 The UN’s most visible public figure and the representative head is Secretary General.
 UN comprises different agencies like UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, UNHRC

Q34. Describe the organizational structure and working of the UN Security Council?
 The United Nations organization was founded in order to stop the conflicts between states,
to prevent the world from facing negative consequences of Second World War to promote
peace, brotherhood and human development. UN was established in 1945 immediately
after Second World War with an objective to prevent international conflicts and to
facilitate cooperation among states. Furthermore, since conflicts often arose from lack of
social and economic development, the UN was intended to bring countries together to
improve the prospects of social and economic development all over the world. The UN
was formed by 51 founder members and by 2006; the UN had 192 member states. These
included almost all independent states. The UN has different functionary organs like
General Assembly, Security Council, International Court of Justice, UNDP, UNEP,
NNESCO, UNICEF etc.
 The most important of them is United Nation Security Council; it has five permanent
members and 10 non-permanent members. The five permanent members of UNSC are
USA, Britain, France, Russia and China. These countries were selected as they were the
most powerful immediately after Second World War. The 10 non-permanent members are
selected by General Assembly for the duration of 2 years.

Working of the UN Security Council

 Main functions are to establish peace in the world, to resolve conflicts and propose
solutions and use its power against any country.
 It holds a special privilege and power called “Veto Power”. All members have one veto.
However, the permanent members can vote in negative manner so that even if all other
 non- permanent members vote for a particular decision, any permanent member’s negative
vote can stall the decision. This negative vote is called veto.
 The Security Council is primarily responsible for the maintenance of international peace
and security.
 It is for the Security Council to determine when and where a UN Peace Keeping Force
should be deployed.
 Disputed parties can be asked to settle their disputes by peaceful means.
 In some cases, the Security Council can authorize the use of force to maintain or restore
international peace and security.
 The Security Council also recommends to the General Assembly the appointment of the
Secretary-General and the admission of new members to the United Nations.
 Together with the General Assembly, it elects the judges of the International Court of
Justice.

Q35. Mention the six principal organs of the United Nations and describe the functions of
any two of them?
 The six principal organs of United Nations are General Assembly, Security Council,
Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International court of justice,
Secretariat.
 General Assembly:-All the UN member states are involved in the general assembly.
Usually only one conference is held for the General Assembly. By 2006, the UN had
almost 192 member states these included almost all independent states . In the UN general
assembly all members have one vote each; the session for the general assembly is
conducted by General Secretary who is considered to be the most important UN
functionary. The main function of General Assembly are to propose and effective
solutions to the problems related to peace and safety, to pass UN budget and to elect
members of other organs of UN.
 Security Council: The most important of them is United Nation Security Council; it has
five permanent members and 10 non- permanent members. The five permanent members
of UNSC are USA, Britain, France, Russia and China. These countries were selected as
they were the most powerful immediately after Second World War. The 10 non permanent
members are selected by General Assembly for the duration of 2 years.
 Main functions are to establish peace in the world, to resolve conflicts and propose
solutions and use its power against any country. It elects judges of international court of
justice with the help of general assembly.
 It holds a special privilege and power of negative vote called “Veto Power”. All members
have one veto. However, the permanent members can vote in negative manner so that even
if all other non- permanent members vote for a particular decision, any permanent
members’ negative vote can stall the decision.
 Economic and Social Council: The members to this council are elected by the members
of General assembly. Member states have tenure of 3 years. The country can be chosen
again as the member of Economic and Social council once it completes its tenure of
3years. It takes measures related to economic, social, and cultural, health and cure and to
organize international summits.
 Trusteeship Council: The countries which are kept under control and care of other UN
member countries are taken cared by this council. Since all the countries are decolonized
and are capable enough to maintain their systems there is no further significance of this
council.
 International Court of Justice: There are total 15 judges chosen by the members of
General Assembly and Security Council. Tenure of judges is 5 years. Members and non
– members take their cases to ICJ.
 Secretariat: This is the UN head office, headed by Secretary General who is appointed
by General assembly on the recommendations of Security Council for a five year
renewable term. Its role is to control and supervise different organs of UN spread across
the world. Its role is to maintain record of all the action conducted under the umbrella of
UNO.

Q36. Describe the composition of the UN Security Council. What is the major difference in
the privileges given to the permanent members and the non – permanent members of the
Security Council.
 United Nation Security Council is the most important organ of United Nations; it has five
permanent members and 10 non- permanent members. The five permanent members of
UNSC are USA, Britain, France, Russia and China. These countries were selected as they
were the most powerful immediately after Second World War. The 10 non-permanent
members are selected by General Assembly for the duration of 2 years.
 UNSCs main functions are to establish peace in the world, to resolve conflicts and propose
solutions and use its power against any country. It elects judges of international court of
justice with the help of general assembly.
 It holds a special privilege and power called “Veto Power”. All members have one veto.
However, the permanent members can vote in negative manner so that even if all other
non- permanent members vote for a particular decision, any permanent members’ negative
vote can stall the decision. This negative vote is called veto.

Difference in the privileges -:

 Main differences are that permanent members are intact they are not be removed or
replaced where non permanent members have the duration of 2 years at a time and give
way for newly elected members after average duration of 2 years . They can not be re-
elected immediately after completing the term of 2 years.
 Another difference is that the permanent members hold a special privilege and power
called “Veto Power”.
All members have one veto. However, the permanent members can vote in negative
manner so that even if all other non- permanent members vote for a particular decision,
any permanent members’ negative vote can stall the decision.