Operan program Vzdlvn pro konkurenceschopnost Nzev projektu: Inovace magisterskho studijnho programu Fakulty ekonomiky a managementu Registran slo projektu: CZ.1.07/2.2.00/ Political Science and International Relations Development, mission, structures and activities of the U.N. in the area of security Aim of the presentation To briefly introduce to the basic stages of development and ideological base of the current global system of collective security To inform about the progress, status, basic structures, activities of the United Nations Presentation contents Characteristics of the international relations system Idealistic approach to international relations The Briand-Kellog Pact The League of Nations Realistic approach to international relations Effect of World War II on the idea of collective security Foundation and mission of the United Nations General Assembly, Security Council and Secretary General Activities of the UN Conclusion The international relations system State is, at the present, (so far) the most important reference object of security policy operates within the system of international relations (global political system), which is essentially anarchic, the world out of control, and environment of uncertainty. Anarchy is the absence of authority (government), but does not mean the absence of order. In the current system, there is no central power or authority that could consciously and independently decide on the position of individual actors (states, international organizations, individuals), define standards of behavior, and be able to enforce its decisions. However, the present international relations system is not only the environment of competition, conflicts and insecurity. It is also the sphere of cooperation and interdependence, sometimes solidarity. It is more an environment of specific relationships, uncertainty and potential violence, rather than areas of pure confusion. Collective Security Collective security is an artificial project to the alternative international order against spontaneously formed balance of power. The idea of collective security assumes that: In ensuring of national security interests, the elemental balance of power system is replaced by the system of their cooperation; Power relations are managed from a common center, but the potential power remains in the hands of national governments; Attack against any state is considered as an attack against them all. Assumption of collective security is the prohibition of the use of force or threat of force and the obligation to solve all disputes by peaceful means. Collective security must be trustworthy! Idealistic Approach Idealistic approach (or idealistic school of international relations) to the organization of international relations is based on the belief that there is possibility of permanent peace and cooperation in the international environment. Peace should be based on the adoption of common standards, or the advantages of economic cooperation. Not focused only on the role of the state, it emphasizes also the role of international organizations, national organizations, multinational companies, etc. For international organizations, the political-security dimension in terms of idealism do not always prevail, it is necessary to take into account the issues of morality, law, culture, economic and social development in international relations. Condition for maintaining international peace and security is the ability of all states to adopt and to adhere to a moral obligation to exclude the use of violence in international relations. Idealistic Approach Imanuel Kant ( ) Perpetual peace Suggests the emergence of a free federation of states where individual members retain their sovereignty and also agree on the principles of the functioning of the international system. Wars can be removed on the basis of reasonable conduct of governments. If in the states, citizens have influence over the government, it is in their common interest to prevent war. Marxism: the theory of imperialism Conflict is unavoidable between capitalist states that are trying to expand and distribute their economic power. Conflict is an opportunity for social revolution and the establishment of a better system. Victory of the working class will bring international peace, because worker governments (socialist, communist) are not interested in war. Idealistic Approach in Practice Ideas of idealistic solutions of international conflicts and rational world order have found resonance in the practical policy especially after the Great War, in the 20s Examples of "idealistic projects": Briand-Kellog Pact (August 27, 1928) The League of Nations (April 28, 1919) Briand-Kellog Pact Signed in Paris, August 27, 1928 The international treaty excluding war as a means of resolving international disputes, except in cases of self-defense The agreement lacked penalty provisions, proved to be unenforceable in practice It gave the legal basis of the concept of "crime against peace", later recovered at Nurnberg and Tokyo processes Prohibition of aggressive war was confirmed and extended in the later UN Charter Pact signed by 62 countries Aristide Briand Frank Kellog League of Nations Developed in response to the end of the Great War, promoted mainly by the U.S. President (Woodrow Wilson) as an expression of an idealistic effort to create tools bringing order to the anarchic world of nation-states. Institutionalized the idea of equality of states, which together guarantee the political independence and territorial integrity on the basis of willingness to resolve disputes peacefully through negotiation and agreement. The founding members were the participants in the Versailles Peace Conference and neutral states the countries defeated in the Great War joined gradually. League of Nations The basic organizational structure of the League of Nations: General Assembly (representing all States on the basis of equality) Council (4 permanent members UK, France, Japan, Italy + 9 non- permanent members) Secretary General The League of Nations was gradually unable to respond to the increasing number of security issues (Manchuria, Ethiopia, Spanish civil war, etc.), and at the end of the 30s its agility and prestige was zero (formally dissolved in 1946). League of Nations The reason was the absence of superpowers (economically and militarily strongest states) in the League of Nations and the absence of their support: USA (the Congress did not ratify the treaty!) USSR (joined 1934, expelled 1939 the attack on Finland) Japan (left 1933 the attack on China) Germany (joined 1926, left 1933 solidarity with Japan) Italy (left 1937 attack on Ethiopia) The League of Nations was unable to prevent the emergence of a new global conflict Realistic Approach Realistic approach (or realistic school of international relations) assumes that the main characteristic of the system of international relations is the distribution of power. The most important actor in the system of international relations is the state, which is committed to the defense of its national interests (from simple survival to the control of the entire system). Invocation of moral principles in international policy only masks the of national power interests. The realistic school assumes anarchic nature of the international system, where there is no higher authority defining and enforcing "rules of the game" and the behavior of states is a "zero-result game. Because there is no external guarantor of the survival of states, the international environment is area of uncertainty. Realistic Approach Realists assumed that conflicts, crises or wars are natural situations in a very competitive and anarchic international relations system they are results of the threatening power position of the state, its national interests and its security. The realistic approach rejects the practical equality of states and pragmatically grants different states the power and ability to pursue their national interests through violence (idealists: all states are equal, realists: some state are more equal than others). The inevitable condition for maintaining the international peace and security is the accord with the national interests of the most powerful states (currently e.g. U.S., Russia, China, France, the U.K.). Lessons learned from the failure of the League of Nations: Only such a system of collective security has a chance to succeed, which takes sufficiently into account the interests of the key stakeholders and ensures them an adequate representation. WWII: influence on collective security Atlantic Charter - August 24, 1941 (London) - statements by representatives of Allies (F. D. Roosevelt, W. Churchill) ... after the final destruction of the Nazi tyranny, they hope to see established a peace which will afford to all nations the means of dwelling in safety within their own boundaries, and... lives in freedom from fear and want. [The AC signatories] believe that all of the nations of the world, for realistic as well as spiritual reasons must come to the abandonment of the use of force. Since no future peace can be maintained if land, sea or air armaments continue to be employed... the disarmament of such nations is essential. [Signatories] will likewise aid and encourage all other practicable measure which will lighten for peace-loving peoples the crushing burden of armaments. Awareness of the need to have a collective security organization, but unlike League of Nations with necessary support of key states. United Nations Established in October 1945 Founding Members: 50, at present: 193 countries It combines realistic and idealistic approaches, which are reflected in the structure of the United Nations Basic structure: General Assembly Security Council International Court of Justice Economic and Social Council Specialised organizations and bodies The official head of the UN is Secretary General UN Charter The basic legal framework of the United Nations Signed June 26, 1945, in force since October 24, 1945 The main UN mission: "To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace." Recommended parts for the self-study: Chapter V. (The Security Council) Chapter VI. (Pacific Settlement of Disputes) Chapter VII. (Action with Respect to Threats ) General Assembly GA represents an institutional form of idealistic notions of equality of states. In the GA, all Member States are represented in the equality of their voices. The General Assembly may consider the general principles of co- operation in the maintenance of international peace and security, including the principles governing disarmament and the regulation of armaments, and may make recommendations with regard to such principles to the Members or to the Security Council or to both. GA recommends and approves points under discussion, but does not decide. GA resolutions are not legally enforceable and are primarily political documents. Security Council SC represents an institutional form of realistic ideas about differences between countries the key UN body in terms of ensuring its main mission. 15 members: 10 non-permanent states elected by the GA for 2 years, 5 permanent members with the right of veto (the U.S., Russia, China, France, the U.K.) SC decides whether there has been a breach of the peace or international order according the Charter, which requires the intervention of the United Nations! Security Council Security Council is the only authority that could legitimize the use of force in international relations. SC legalizes only those decisions which are not in conflict with the national interests of the permanent members SC is not a global authority that would always and under all circumstances requires compliance with the UN Charter. SC resolutions are binding for all Member States - a breach of the resolution is associated with sanctions! International Court of Justice The International Court of Justice (ICJ), based in the Hague (NL), is the principal judicial body of the United Nations. It resolves disputes between member states and provides expertise for the UN and its specialized agencies. It solves disputes between States which decide to present their cases to ICJ. ICJ judgments are not legally enforceable, their recognition by the parties is voluntary. Determined particularly territorial disputes and issues of Charter violations. Under the auspices of the UN and other judicial institutions, which primarily focus on the punishment of genocide, human rights violations, war crimes. Institutionalization of human rights protection (ICTY 1993, ICTR 1994, ICC 1998) Secretary General UN Secretary General - Ban Ki-Moon (since 2007) Elected for 5 years, based on the recommendations of UNSC Secretary-General in accordance with the UN Charter, is the UN chief administrative officer and performs the functions entrusted by SC, GA and other UN bodies. According to the Charter: The Secretary-General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security. Formal top leader of the UN peacekeeping missions UN Activities in the area of security Until early 90s, UN was paralyzed because of the persistent antagonism between the USSR and the U.S.A. in the SC. After the end of the Cold War, the UN has been revived, adopted active and much wider approach to solving security problems and the eruption of armed conflicts around the world. George Bush (UN General Assembly, October 1990): We have a vision of a new partnership of nations that overcomes the Cold War. Partnership based on consultation, cooperation and collective action, especially through international and regional organizations. Partnerships connected by principles and rules of law and supported by equal sharing of costs and liabilities. The partnership, which aims to spread democracy, prosperity and peace and to limit armaments. Delegation of implementing security agenda at the regional organizations (NATO, OSCE, etc.) Conclusion In the current anarchic system of international relations, there is no global authority (the equivalent of the government at the national level), which would be able to ensure the survival of the state. This situation is partly compensated by the existence of a system of collective security represented by the UN. The UNs predecessor - the League of Nations ceased to exist because it did not reflect the real distribution of power and influence of different states. The key UN body is the Security Council, which plays a crucial role in the activation of the system of collective security. Frequency, severity and cost of military, police and expert UN activities has been increasing significantly in the last two decades. Operan program Vzdlvn pro konkurenceschopnost Nzev projektu: Inovace magisterskho studijnho programu Fakulty ekonomiky a managementu Registran slo projektu: CZ.1.07/2.2.00/ Political Science and International Relations Development, mission, structures and activities of the U.N. in the area of security