MCQ & Others
- Mark correct or wrong against each of the following statements about the veto power:
- Only the permanent members of the Security Council possess the veto power.
- It’s a kind of negative power.
- The Secretary-General uses this power when not satisfied with any decision.
- One veto can stall a Security Council resolution.
Answer:
- (a) Correct → Only the five permanent members (USA, UK, France, Russia, China) possess veto power.
- (b) Correct → Veto blocks a proposal without offering an alternative; hence it is negative.
- (c) Wrong → The Secretary-General has no veto power; only P5 members do.
- (d) Correct → A single veto by any permanent member can stop a Security Council resolution.
- Mark correct or wrong against each of the following statements about the way the UN functions:
- All security and peace related issues are dealt with in the Security Council.
- Humanitarian policies are implemented by the main organs and specialised agencies spread across the globe.
- Having consensus among the five permanent members on security issues is vital for its implementation.
- The members of the General Assembly are automatic ally the members of all other principal organs and specialised agencies of the UN.
Answer:
- (a) Correct → Security and peace issues are the main responsibility of the Security Council.
- (b) Wrong → Humanitarian work is done by specialised agencies like WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, not directly by main organs.
- (c) Correct → Without consensus among the five permanent members, no decision on security issues can be implemented.
- (d) Wrong → Membership of the General Assembly does not automatically make states members of specialised agencies.
- Which among the following would give more weightage to India’s proposal for permanent membership in the Security Council?
- Nuclear capability
- It has been a member of the UN since its inception
- It is located in Asia
- India’s growing economic power and stable politic al system
Answer:
(d) India’s growing economic power and stable political system.
- India’s rise as a stable democracy and growing economic strength adds credibility to its claim.
- Other factors (nuclear capability, early UN membership, Asian location) help, but they are not sufficient on their own.
- The UN agency concerned with the safety and peaceful use of nuclear technology is:
- The UN Committee on Disa mament
- International Atomic Energy Agency
- UN International Safeguard Committee
- None of the above
Answer:
(b) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- It promotes safe use of nuclear technology and prevents misuse for weapons.
- WTO is serving as the successor to which of the following organisations:
- General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs
- General Arrangement on Trade and Tariffs
- World Health Organisation
- UN Development Programme
Answer:
(a) General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT).
- WTO replaced GATT in 1995 to regulate international trade more effectively.
- Fill in the blanks:
- The prime objective of the UN is _________
- The highest functionary of the UN is called _________
- The UN Security Council has _________ permanent and _______ non-permanent members.
- _______ is the present UN Secretary-General.
Answer:
- (a) The prime objective of UN is to maintain peace and security.
- (b) The highest functionary of the UN is called Secretary-General.
- (c) The UN Security Council has 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members.
- (d) Antonio Guterres is the present UN Secretary-General.
- Match the principal organs and agencies of the UN with their functions:
1.Economic and Social Council
2.International Court of Justice
3.International Atomic Energy Agency
4.Security Council
5.UN High Commission for Refugees
6.World Trade Organisation
7.International Monetary Fund
8.GeneralAssembly
9.World Health Organisation
10.Secretariat
- Oversees the global financial system
- Preservation of International peace and security
- Looks into the economic and social welfare of the member countries
- Safety and peaceful use of nuc lear technology
- Resolves disputes between and among membercountries
- Provides shelter and medic al help during emergencies
- Debates and disc usses global issues
- Administration and coordination of UN affairs
- Providing good health for all
- Facilitates free trade among membercountries
Answer:
1 → (c) Economic and social welfare
2 → (e) Resolves disputes between states
3 → (d) Peaceful use of nuclear energy
4 → (b) Peace and security
5 → (f) Help to refugees
6 → (j) Facilitates free trade
7 → (a) Oversees global financial system
8 → (g) Debates global issues
9 → (i) Good health for all
10 → (h) Administers UN affairs
VSA SA & LA
- What are the functions of Security Council?
Type: Short Answer (~60 words)
Answer:
The Security Council is the most powerful UN organ. Its functions are:
- Maintain peace and security.
- Investigate disputes.
- Recommend solutions.
- Impose sanctions.
- Authorise military action.
- Recommend admission of new members.
- Elect judges of the ICJ and recommend the Secretary-General.
- As a citizen of India, how would you support India’s candidature for permanent membership of Security Council?
Type: Long Answer (~200 words)
Answer:
India’s candidature for permanent membership of the Security Council can be supported for the following reasons:
- Representation:
- India represents nearly one-fifth of humanity as the second most populous country.
- As the world’s largest democracy, it adds legitimacy to UNSC decisions.
- Contribution to UN:
- India has been an active member since 1945.
- It has consistently supported UN initiatives and paid contributions without default.
- India is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping forces.
- Economic Strength:
- India is among the world’s largest economies and a key player in global markets.
- Its growing economic influence strengthens global stability.
- Political Stability:
- India’s democratic values and peaceful policies make it a reliable partner.
Conclusion:
Given its population, democratic values, contributions to peacekeeping, and growing economic influence, India deserves a permanent seat in a restructured UNSC to make it more representative and effective.
- Critically evaluate the difficulties involved in implementing the suggested reforms to reconstruct the UN.
Type: Long Answer (~200 words)
Answer:
Reforming the UN, particularly the Security Council, is difficult due to several reasons:
- Criteria for Membership:
- There is no agreement on what qualifies a state for permanent membership — population, economy, military strength, or financial contribution.
- Resistance from Current Members:
- Existing P5 members are reluctant to dilute their privileged position.
- The veto power is especially guarded.
- Representation Issues:
- Should representation be based on geography, economy, or political systems?
- Developing countries demand more seats, but developed nations resist.
- Effectiveness Concerns:
- Adding more members could make decision-making slower.
- Large councils may lead to deadlocks instead of solutions.
Conclusion:
While reforms are necessary for fairness and representation, power politics and lack of consensus make restructuring extremely challenging.
- Though the UN has failed in preventing wars and related miseries, nations prefer its continuation. What makes the UN indispensable?
Type: Short Answer (~60 words)
Answer:
The UN remains indispensable because:
- It provides a platform for dialogue and conflict resolution.
- It promotes cooperation on issues like poverty, environment, and health.
- Agencies like WHO, UNICEF, and UNDP support global development.
- It enforces collective action on peacekeeping and humanitarian crises.
- “Reforming the UN means restructuring of the Security Council.” Do you agree? Give arguments.
Type: Long Answer (~200 words)
Answer:
Yes, reforming the UN essentially means restructuring the Security Council because:
- Central Role:
- The UNSC is responsible for global peace and security.
- Its decisions are binding, unlike those of the General Assembly.
- Changing World Order:
- Current P5 reflects post-1945 realities, not today’s balance of power.
- Emerging powers like India, Brazil, South Africa, and Japan seek representation.
- Unequal Representation:
- P5 are mostly developed nations; developing countries lack voice.
- Africa, with 50+ states, has no permanent representation.
- Veto Issue:
- Veto makes the UNSC undemocratic.
- Reform is needed to make it more representative, accountable, and democratic.
Conclusion:
Restructuring UNSC by expanding permanent membership and limiting veto is necessary for a fair and effective UN. Without it, the UN risks losing relevance in addressing global challenges.