Score:
9.5/15
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Topper’s Copy
GS2
International Relations
15 marks
Why does the United Nations Security Council need reform? Discuss the issues related to permanent membership and veto power.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Why the United Nations Security Council needs urgent reform
- What issues surround permanent membership of the council
- What problems come with the use of veto power
What you wrote:
The UN was established in the aftermath of the World War II, with the objective to maintain international peace and security. However, its continued limitations in effectively addressing emerging global conflicts have given rise to the need for reforms in the UN Security Council.
The UN was established in the aftermath of the World War II, with the objective to maintain international peace and security. However, its continued limitations in effectively addressing emerging global conflicts have given rise to the need for reforms in the UN Security Council.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can strengthen by briefly mentioning the current composition (5 permanent + 10 non-permanent members) to provide immediate context for reform discussions
- Could reference a recent development like the **UN Pact for the Future (September 2024)** which formally recognized Security Council reform as an urgent priority
What you wrote:
Need for Reforms
There is a need for a two-pronged reform in the UNSC:
[FLOWCHART: The flowchart indicates two directions for reform. The main node is "There is a need for a two-pronged reform in the UNSC" which branches into two boxes labeled "Membership Reforms" and "Executive Reforms."]
1 P5 represents the global power dynamics of the post-war world order.
2 Emerging global powers, like India, Brazil etc. have no permanent seat.
3 Africa remains underrepresented despite comprising 50+ UN members.
4 Developing countries remain inadequately represented in permanent decision making.
5 Frequent deadlocks lead to indecisive and ineffective responses to major conflicts, often vetoed by the P5.
6 Increasing mistrust due to lack of effectiveness of UNSC, is leading to multilateral and minilateral organisations' differing opinions and conflicts.
Need for Reforms
There is a need for a two-pronged reform in the UNSC:
[FLOWCHART: The flowchart indicates two directions for reform. The main node is "There is a need for a two-pronged reform in the UNSC" which branches into two boxes labeled "Membership Reforms" and "Executive Reforms."]
1 P5 represents the global power dynamics of the post-war world order.
2 Emerging global powers, like India, Brazil etc. have no permanent seat.
3 Africa remains underrepresented despite comprising 50+ UN members.
4 Developing countries remain inadequately represented in permanent decision making.
5 Frequent deadlocks lead to indecisive and ineffective responses to major conflicts, often vetoed by the P5.
6 Increasing mistrust due to lack of effectiveness of UNSC, is leading to multilateral and minilateral organisations' differing opinions and conflicts.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can explicitly address why reform is urgent by highlighting **contemporary global challenges** (climate change, cyber threats, pandemics) that require collective action but face UNSC paralysis
- Could mention the **stalled Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) process** where competing coalitions like G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, Japan) and African Union demand expansion while Uniting for Consensus opposes new permanent seats
- Can correct the veto misunderstanding: veto power applies to substantive matters, not procedural ones (which require 9 affirmative votes without veto)
What you wrote:
Issues with Permanent Membership and Veto
1 Inequality b/w permanent and non-permanent members.
2 Veto prevents collective action even when majority supports it.
3 Abolition of veto remains impossible because of UN charter, allowing amendments only after rigorous procedure.
4 Misuse of veto powers being used in non-procedural matters.
5 Humanitarian Action can be blocked during mass atrocities.
Issues with Permanent Membership and Veto
1 Inequality b/w permanent and non-permanent members.
2 Veto prevents collective action even when majority supports it.
3 Abolition of veto remains impossible because of UN charter, allowing amendments only after rigorous procedure.
4 Misuse of veto powers being used in non-procedural matters.
5 Humanitarian Action can be blocked during mass atrocities.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can elaborate on **permanent membership issues** like the anachronistic representation (UK, France as separate P5 members while EU exists as a bloc, no representation from Latin America or Africa)
- Could mention **legitimacy crisis** where decisions lack global acceptance due to unrepresentative permanent membership
- Can add examples of **veto misuse** like Russia's vetoes on Syria resolutions or US vetoes on Palestine-related resolutions blocking humanitarian action
What you wrote:
Way forward
1 Expand permanent and non-permanent membership to improve representation.
2 France-Mexico Initiative suggests voluntary restraint of veto during mass atrocities. (Limitation: Non-binding, depends on political will).
3 Liechtenstein initiative to increase political accountability by convening debates in UNGA within 10 working days of veto by P5 countries to explain their position.
4 International Court of Justice Advisory Opinions on unresolved legal or procedural questions.
Way forward
1 Expand permanent and non-permanent membership to improve representation.
2 France-Mexico Initiative suggests voluntary restraint of veto during mass atrocities. (Limitation: Non-binding, depends on political will).
3 Liechtenstein initiative to increase political accountability by convening debates in UNGA within 10 working days of veto by P5 countries to explain their position.
4 International Court of Justice Advisory Opinions on unresolved legal or procedural questions.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can mention **Action 39 of the UN Pact for the Future** which specifically emphasized rectifying Africa's historical underrepresentation
- Could add India's specific reform position through **G4 framework** demanding permanent seats with full privileges including veto power
What you wrote:
UNSC Reform must balance effectiveness (while ensuring strategic autonomy of countries), with contemporary representation from distribution of global power.
UNSC Reform must balance effectiveness (while ensuring strategic autonomy of countries), with contemporary representation from distribution of global power.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can strengthen by emphasizing India's role as a **leading advocate for Global South representation** and its contribution to multilateral diplomacy through initiatives like G20 presidency
- Could end with a forward-looking statement about **India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision** requiring a reformed multilateral architecture
Strong structured answer with good use of visual aids and comprehensive coverage of reform aspects. However, contains one factual error about veto powers and misses explicit articulation of why urgent reform is needed.
Demand of the Question
- Why the United Nations Security Council needs urgent reform
- What issues surround permanent membership of the council
- What problems come with the use of veto power
What you wrote:
The UN was established in the aftermath of the World War II, with the objective to maintain international peace and security. However, its continued limitations in effectively addressing emerging global conflicts have given rise to the need for reforms in the UN Security Council.
The UN was established in the aftermath of the World War II, with the objective to maintain international peace and security. However, its continued limitations in effectively addressing emerging global conflicts have given rise to the need for reforms in the UN Security Council.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can strengthen by briefly mentioning the current composition (5 permanent + 10 non-permanent members) to provide immediate context for reform discussions
- Could reference a recent development like the **UN Pact for the Future (September 2024)** which formally recognized Security Council reform as an urgent priority
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