Posted by Chester Morton / Thursday 24 March 2016 / No comments
The problems of the United Nations Organization
Financial Problems
The financial problems of the
United Nations are sometimes brought about by the refusal or failure of some member states
to pay their dues and other obligations on time.
A large number of member states are from the third world whose economies are not doing well, so they find it difficult to pay up their financial obligations. Even the well-endowed once like the United States also delay in the payment of their dues and other obligations. In 2015, for example, the United States alone owed the United Nations $655 million in unpaid contributions to the organization, about 22% of the total budget of the U.N. for 2015.
A large number of member states are from the third world whose economies are not doing well, so they find it difficult to pay up their financial obligations. Even the well-endowed once like the United States also delay in the payment of their dues and other obligations. In 2015, for example, the United States alone owed the United Nations $655 million in unpaid contributions to the organization, about 22% of the total budget of the U.N. for 2015.
Misuse of the Veto Power
The permanent members of the Security
Council of the United Nations uses their veto power to thwart the efforts of the organization in
solving some of its numerous international problems, especially problems pertaining to international conflicts. It was used by the US on several occasions to
support Israel. This has left the Middle-East crisis to linger on for much longer than should have been the case.
Sovereign Inequality of Member
Nations
Though the Charter of the organization requires that all nations are treated equally, most of the times, the member states are not regarded as such. On paper, it is so but in practice, it is not. Some member states are deemed to be more important than others, especially the richer countries and the members of the Security Council. For example, at the meetings of the specialized agencies like the World Health Organization, the weaker nations look on while the stronger ones call the shots.
Absence of a Standing Army
The United Nations does not have
a standing army so it is difficult for the organization to enforce the resolutions that are passed. They are, therefore sometimes unable to punish member-states that fail to adhere to the resolutions. The
tool available to the United Nations is the use of persuasion to achieve its objectives.
Ideological Differences
Not all the member states belong
to the same ideological block. Some are capitalists and others are communist or
of other political and economic ideologies. This has sometimes created disharmony within the
United Nations Organization. These differences in ideology make it difficult to secure
agreement on matters of international importance.
Refugee Crisis
The United Nations has also not been able to completely solve the refugee crisis that has bedeviled the world, especially the more recent influx of refugees from parts of the Arab world to Europe. In the last few years alone, a number of refugees entered Europe after fleeing armed conflicts in Syria and elsewhere. The United Nations has not been able to fully deal with this.
SAMPLE QUESTION
1. a. What it the United Nations Organization?
b. Which five problems are faced by the United Nations.
2. Highlight six problems of the United Nations Organization.
Answers to objective questions
OBJECTIVE
QUESTIONS ON THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION
Test
One
1.
The Secretary of State of the United Nations Organization (U.N.O.) is appointed
for a period of
A.
three years
B.
five years
C.
seven years
D.
nine years
2.
The use of Veto power in the United Nations is only exercised by the
A.
economic and Social Council
B.
International Court of Justice
C.
Trusteeship Council
D.
Security Council
3.
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Organization (U.N.O.) is
made up of
A.
25 members
B.
26 members
C.
27 members
D.
28 members
4.
the most important achievement of the United Nations Organization (U.N.O.) is the
A.
election of a Secretary-General from Africa
B.
prevention of another World War
C.
increase in its membership
D.
settlement of cases of election rigging
5.
The major aim of the United Nations Organization (U.N.O.) is to
A.
maintain international peace and security
B.
co-ordinate and supervise the activities of specialized agencies
C.
promote sports among all nations
D.
stabilize the price of oil in the market
6.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is an agency of the
A.
Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.)
B.
Economic Community of West African States (E.C.O.W.A.S.)
C.
Commonwealth of Nations
D.
United Nations Organization
7. The Headquarters of the United Nations
Organization (U.N.O.) is located at
A.
New York
B.
Addis Ababa
C.
Vienna
D.
London
8.
The international organization, formed after the Second World war to guarantee
international peace and security is called the
A.
non-aligned Movement
B.
United Nations Organization
C.
League of nations
D.
Casablanca Group
9.
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is one of the specialized agencies of
A. Organization of African Union (OAU)
B.
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
C.
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
D.
United Nations Organization (UNO)
10.
An organ of the United Nations Organization (UNO) whose decision is binding on
all members of the
A.
Security Council
B.
Economic and Social Council
C.
Trusteeship Council
D.
International Court of Justice
Test
Two
1.
Which of the following is an organ of the United Nations Organization (UNO)?
A.
Assembly of Heads of State
B.
International Labour Organization
C.
Council of Ministers
D.
The Security Council
2.
Which of the following bodies is the most representative organ of the United Nations
Organization (UNO)?
A.
The Economic and Social Council
B.
The Trusteeship Council
C.
The Security Council
D.
The General Assembly
3.
The world organization which existed before the United Nations Organization was
the
A.
League of Nations
B.
European Economic Community
C.
Organization of African Unity (OAU)
D.
Commonwealth of Nations
4.
Which of the following is the most powerful organ of the United Nations
Organization (UNO)? The
A.
Trusteeship Council
B.
Security Council
C.
Council of Ministers
D.
Secretariat
5.
The organ of the United Nations Organization responsible for negotiating
agreements with the Specialized agencies is the
A.
General Assembly
B.
Security Council
C.
Economic and Social Council
D.
trusteeship Council
6.
The Internal Court of Justice has its Headquarters in
A.
The Hague
B.
Paris
C.
London
D.
New York
7.
Which of the following countries is a permanent member of the Security Council?
A.
India
B.
Canada
C.
China
D.
Korea
8.
October 24 of each year is universally marked as the United Nations Day because
on this day, the
A.
United Nations Organization (U.N.O.) officially came into existence
B.
Second World War ended
C.
Two Super Powers signed the United Nations Charter
D.
Charter on Fundamental Human Rights was signed
9.
One of the objectives of the United Nations Organization (U.N.O.) is to
A.
develop the African states
B.
maintain international peace and security
C.
ensure that workers all over the world are paid handsome wages and salaries
D.
provide ammunition for any warring state
10.
All the following organs of the United Nations Organization (U.N.O.) have their
Headquarters in New York except the
A.
United Nations Development Project (U.N.D.P.)
B.
World Health Organization (WHO)
C.
International Court of Justice (I.C.J.)
D.
International Labour Organization (I.L.O.)
Test
three
1.
The organ of the United Nations organization which consists of all the members
is called
A.
General Assembly
B.
Economic and Social Council
C.
Trusteeship Council
D.
Security Council
2.
The International Court of Justice at the Hague consists of
A.
5 judges
B.
7 Judges
C.
10 Judges
D.
15 Judges
3.
What is the nationality of the first African to become Secretary-General of the
United Nations Organization (UNO)?
A.
Ethiopia
B.
Tanzania
C.
Egyptian
D.
Nigerian
4.
Which of the following personalities did Kofi Annan succeed as the
Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization?
A.
U Thant
B.
Dag Hammarskjold
C.
Boutros Boutros Ghali
D.
Perez de Cuellar
5.
The main deliberative organ of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is the
A.
International Court of Justice
B.
Secretariat
C.
Economic and Social Council
D.
General Assembly
6. The “Uniting for Peace” resolution of the
United Nations Organization (UNO) was adopted in
A.
1945
B.
1947
C.
1950
D.
1960
7.
The veto was given to the five members of the Security Council of the United
Nations Organization (UNO) is necessary because it
A.
makes them respect the UNO and helps her achieve her objectives.
B.
gives due respect to whom honour is due.
C.
makes apartheid South Africa fear the UNO
D.
brings the big powers into an agreement on the big issues.
8.
The United Nations day is celebrated on
A.
March 14th
B.
May 5th
C.
October 24th
D.
September 17th
9.
The United Nations Secretary-General is appointed by the
A.
Secretariat
B.
Economic and Social Council
C.
International Court of Justice
D.
General Assembly
10.
The international organization which was formed after the Second World War to
guarantee international peace and security is the
A.
World Bank
B.
United Nations Organization
C.
League of Nations
D.
British Commonwealth of nations
