Why the UN is a liberal institution

The first goal of the United Nations Security Council, as listed under the “Functions and Powers” tab, is “to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations.” Given such a bold assertion, it would seem evident that the U.N. acts as a realist institution, seeking to preserve its own security on behalf of the 129 member nations of which it is comprised. What is not taken into account, however, are the additional purposes of the UN, how effective the UN is in achieving these purposes, and whether or not the priorities and practices of this bureaucracy have evolved to accommodate an ever-changing world.

The UN is much more than a security force; it is a power center of humanitarian aid; consequently I believe that it is a liberal institution. Though the UN has been criticized of favoritism and corruption, it nevertheless plays a vital role in the care and treatment of refugees, funding research against diseases, and the protection of human rights. In the postmodern context, the UN is less interested in deploying its peacekeeping forces to preserve territorial integrity and more concerned with reacting effectively to humanitarian crisis through coordinated efforts by itself and numerous NGOs. Still, the UN has not escaped criticism from officials such as Tony Blair, who in 2006 urged for reform by extending representation on the Security Council to countries such as Germany, Japan, or India, as well as countries in Latin America.   

It is clear that the UN’s capabilities are much more extensive than military means. And it is also apparent that the UN has used these alternative methods with varying degrees of success. As countries begin to mature, however, military tension will be mitigated by economic interdependence, as seen by the European powers after World War II. The UN may very well prove to be a key player in the development of third world countries. In this process, they will be bringing the world closer together, acting in rational self-interest to maintain order, stability, and prosperity. Though this is just one scenario, under the right conditions this trend could become a reality in the not so distant future. In order to make it happen, the UN will have to continue its current role as a world player, utilizing the tools of economic development and commitment to human rights. In doing so, its intrinsic liberalism will become apparent; the UN is acting to improve the global community, acting in the self interest of everyone.