Evolution of the UN
The aftermath of the First World War highlighted the need for an international organization to prevent future conflicts, leading to the establishment of the League of Nations. Despite its initial successes, the League failed to prevent the outbreak of the Second World War, which resulted in unprecedented casualties and devastation.
In response to the shortcomings of the League of Nations, the United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 following the Second World War. The UN Charter was signed by 51 states with the aim of achieving what the League could not during the interwar period. The primary objective of the UN is to prevent international conflicts and promote cooperation among states. It was envisaged as a mechanism to prevent conflicts from escalating into full-scale wars and to mitigate the impact of hostilities if they occurred. Additionally, the UN was tasked with fostering global social and economic development to address the root causes of conflicts.
Over the years, the UN has grown to encompass 193 member states, representing nearly all independent countries. Each member state has equal voting rights in the General Assembly, while the Security Council, which handles issues of war and peace, consists of five permanent members: the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China. These five nations were designated as permanent members due to their status as major powers and victors of the Second World War.
The Secretary-General serves as the UN’s chief administrative officer and spokesperson. The current Secretary-General is António Guterres, who assumed office on January 1, 2017, following a distinguished career as Prime Minister of Portugal and UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
The UN comprises various structures and agencies to address a wide range of issues. While the General Assembly and Security Council focus on war and peace, social and economic matters are handled by specialized agencies such as the World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Human Rights Commission, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations Children’s Fund, and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, among others.
Chapter 4 International Organisations| Class 12 Political Science Notes
International organisations play a very important role in global governance and cooperation. They address worldwide issues like peace, health, and economic stability. The chapter on International Organisations explores these bodies, focusing on their structure, challenges, and impact on global affairs.
In this article, you will get detailed notes on Chapter 4 International Organisations from your Class 12 Political Science NCERT textbook.
Contact Us