International Organisations
Political Science • NCERT Solutions • Chapter 6
Objective Type Questions
1. Mark correct or wrong against each of the following statements about the veto power.
a. Only the permanent members of the Security Council possess the veto power: Correct
b. It’s a kind of negative power: Correct
c. The Secretary-General uses this power when not satisfied with any decision: Wrong
d. One veto can stall a Security Council resolution: Correct
b. It’s a kind of negative power: Correct
c. The Secretary-General uses this power when not satisfied with any decision: Wrong
d. One veto can stall a Security Council resolution: Correct
2. Mark correct or wrong against each of the following statements about the way the UN functions.
a. All security and peace related issues are dealt with in the Security Council: Correct
b. Humanitarian policies are implemented by the main organs and specialised agencies spread across the globe: Correct
c. Having consensus among the five permanent members on security issues is vital for its implementation: Correct
d. The members of the General Assembly are automatically the members of all other principal organs and specialised agencies of the UN: Wrong
b. Humanitarian policies are implemented by the main organs and specialised agencies spread across the globe: Correct
c. Having consensus among the five permanent members on security issues is vital for its implementation: Correct
d. The members of the General Assembly are automatically the members of all other principal organs and specialised agencies of the UN: Wrong
3. Which among the following would give more weightage to India’s proposal for permanent membership in the Security Council?
Answer: (d) India’s growing economic power and stable political system
(While other factors matter, economic power and democracy are often cited as the primary qualifications in the post-Cold War era).
(While other factors matter, economic power and democracy are often cited as the primary qualifications in the post-Cold War era).
4. The UN agency concerned with the safety and peaceful use of nuclear technology is:
Answer: (b) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
5. WTO is serving as the successor to which of the following organisations:
Answer: (a) General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT)
6. Fill in the blanks.
a. The prime objective of the UN is to maintain international peace and security.
b. The highest functionary of the UN is called The Secretary-General.
c. The UN Security Council has 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members.
d. António Guterres is the present UN Secretary-General.
b. The highest functionary of the UN is called The Secretary-General.
c. The UN Security Council has 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members.
d. António Guterres is the present UN Secretary-General.
Matching
7. Match the principal organs and agencies of the UN with their functions:
| Organ / Agency | Function |
|---|---|
| 1. Economic and Social Council | c. Looks into the economic and social welfare of the member countries |
| 2. International Court of Justice | e. Resolves disputes between and among member countries |
| 3. International Atomic Energy Agency | d. Safety and peaceful use of nuclear technology |
| 4. Security Council | b. Preservation of international peace and security |
| 5. UN High Commission for Refugees | f. Provides shelter and medical help during emergencies |
| 6. World Trade Organisation | j. Facilitates free trade among member countries |
| 7. International Monetary Fund | a. Oversees the global financial system |
| 8. General Assembly | g. Debates and discusses global issues |
| 9. World Health Organisation | i. Providing good health for all |
| 10. Secretariat | h. Administration and coordination of UN affairs |
Descriptive Questions
8. What are the functions of the Security Council?
The functions of the Security Council include:
- Maintaining international peace and security.
- Investigating any dispute or situation that might lead to international friction.
- Recommending methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement.
- Taking military action against an aggressor if economic sanctions fail.
- Electing the judges of the International Court of Justice (along with the General Assembly).
9. As a citizen of India, how would you support India’s candidature for the permanent membership of the Security Council? Justify your proposal.
India is a strong candidate for permanent membership because:
1. Population & Democracy: India is the world’s most populous country and the largest democracy, representing a significant portion of humanity (1/6th).
2. Role in UN: India has been a founding member of the UN and a major contributor to UN Peacekeeping Missions.
3. Economic Power: It is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.
4. Strategic Relevance: India’s inclusion would make the Council more representative of the contemporary world, moving away from the 1945 power structure.
1. Population & Democracy: India is the world’s most populous country and the largest democracy, representing a significant portion of humanity (1/6th).
2. Role in UN: India has been a founding member of the UN and a major contributor to UN Peacekeeping Missions.
3. Economic Power: It is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world.
4. Strategic Relevance: India’s inclusion would make the Council more representative of the contemporary world, moving away from the 1945 power structure.
10. Critically evaluate the difficulties involved in implementing the suggested reforms to reconstruct the UN.
Implementing reforms is difficult due to:
- Veto Power: The five permanent members (P-5) are unlikely to agree to give up their veto power or share it with new members.
- Lack of Consensus: There is no agreement on the criteria for new permanent members. Some countries focus on economic power, others on regional representation.
- Regional Rivalries: Countries oppose the candidature of their neighbours (e.g., Pakistan opposing India, China opposing Japan).
- Power Balance: The US, as the sole superpower, may not support reforms that dilute its influence within the organization.
11. Though the UN has failed in preventing wars and related miseries, nations prefer its continuation. What makes the UN an indispensable organisation?
The UN is indispensable because:
- Forum for Dialogue: It is the only organization where all 193 nations can meet and talk, helping to defuse conflicts before they escalate to war.
- Global Issues: It facilitates cooperation on issues that no single nation can solve alone, such as climate change, pandemics (WHO), and terrorism.
- Humanitarian Aid: Agencies like UNHCR and UNICEF provide vital support to millions of displaced and suffering people.
- Interdependence: In an interconnected world, the UN provides the framework for international law and norms.
12. ‘Reforming the UN means restructuring of the Security Council’. Do you agree with this statement? Give arguments for or against this position.
I Agree. The Security Council is the core of the UN’s power structure.
Arguments For:
Arguments For:
- Real Power: The Security Council is the only organ whose decisions are binding. Without reforming who holds this power, other reforms (like in the General Assembly) are cosmetic.
- Outdated Structure: The current P-5 reflects the reality of 1945 (post-WWII), not the 21st century. It excludes major powers like India, Brazil, Germany, and the entire continents of Africa and South America from permanent representation.
- Legitimacy: Unless the Security Council becomes more representative, its decisions will lack legitimacy in the eyes of the developing world.