Question 1

Question 5(A) The General Assembly is the main deliberative organ of the UN.(R) The General Assembly elects the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council.(R) contradicts (A)(R) is the reason for (A)(A) is true but (R) is false(A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Accepted Answer

(R) is the reason for (A)Explanation — The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN. Therefore, it elects the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council.

Question 2

Question 6(A) The Security Council’s five permanent members have the veto power.(R) If a permanent member abstains from voting it does not amount to a veto.(R) contradicts (A)(R) is the reason for (A)(A) is true but (R) is false(A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Accepted Answer

(A) and (R) are independent of each other.Explanation — A negative veto, or veto, only occurs when a permanent member is present and votes against a resolution. Therefore, if a permanent member abstains from voting it does not amount to a veto. Hence, the above given statements are both true but unrelated to each other.

Question 3

Question 7Name the principal organs of the United Nations.

Accepted Answer

The principal organs of the United Nations are-The General AssemblyThe Security CouncilThe International Court of JusticeThe Economic and Social CouncilThe Trusteeship CouncilThe Secretariat

Question 4

Question 8What can the General Assembly do if the Security Council fails to act in a case where there appears to be a threat to peace?

Accepted Answer

Under the "Uniting for Peace" resolution adopted by the General Assembly in November 1950, the Assembly may take action if the Security Council, because of a lack of unanimity of its permanent members, fails to act in a case where there appears to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression.The Assembly is empowered to consider the matter immediately with a view to making recommendations to members for collective measures, including the use of armed force.

Question 5

Question 9Name the permanent members of the Security Council.

Accepted Answer

The Security Council has five permanent members —ChinaFranceRussiaBritainThe United States of America

Question 6

Question 10Where is the permanent headquarters of the International Court of Justice located? What is the importance of the International Court of Justice?

Accepted Answer

The permanent headquarters of the International Court of Justice is in The Hague, Netherlands.It is important because it has a dual role:It settles legal disputes submitted to it by the States.It gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorised international organs and agencies.

Question 7

Question 2With reference to the General Assembly, explain the following:(a) Composition of the General Assembly.(b) Its role in the promotion of international cooperation.(c) Any four of its functions.

Accepted Answer

(a) All members of the United Nations are members of the General Assembly.Each State has five representatives in the General Assembly, but each State has one vote.At the start of each regular session, the Assembly elects a new President, 21 Vice-Presidents and the Chairmen of the Assembly's six Main Committees.To ensure equitable geographical representation, the presidency of the Assembly rotates each year among five groups of States: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, and Western Europe and other States.Decisions on important matters are made by a two-third majority.These matters include: the election of the non-permanent members of the Security Council, admission of new members, the suspension or expulsion of members, budgetary issues, etc.Decisions on other questions are made by a majority of members present and voting.(b) The role of the General Assembly in the promotion of international cooperation are as follows-To consider and make recommendations on the principles of cooperation, in the maintenance of international peace and security.To discuss any question relating to international peace and security and to make recommendations on it.To initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political, social, and economic cooperation.To make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of disputes.(c) Four functions of the General Assembly are as follows-To receive and consider reports from the Security Council and other organs of the United Nations.To consider and approve the budget of the United Nations and to apportion the contributions among members.To elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council, and to elect the judges of the International Court of Justice.To appoint the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council.

Question 8

Question 3The Security Council is the most important and effective organ of the UN. In this context describe(a) Composition of the Security Council.(b) Veto power.(c) Four of its functions.

Accepted Answer

(a) The Security Council consists of 15 members.It has five permanent members —ChinaFranceRussiaBritainThe United States of AmericaThe regional representation of the ten non-permanent members is:Afro-Asian countries — 5Latin American countries — 2West European and other countries — 2East European countries — 1.The ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly by a two-third majority for a term of two years.A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election.The Presidency of the Council rotates monthly, according to the English alphabetical listing of its member States.(b) Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions on procedural matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. The negative vote of a permanent member is called a veto. The Council is powerless to act if any of the five permanent members uses the veto power. However abstinence from voting does not amount to a negative vote or veto.(c) Four functions of the Security Council related to maintaining world peace are as follows:To maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations.To investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction and to take military action against an aggressor.To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments.To call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression.

Question 9

Question 4With reference to the International Court of Justice, explain the following:(a) Its Composition.(b) Its Compulsory Jurisdiction.(c) Its Advisory Jurisdiction.

Accepted Answer

(a) Composition of the International Court of Justice is as follows:It is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council sitting independently of each other.It may not include more than one judge from any nationality.Elections are held every three years for one-third of the seats, and retiring judges may be re-elected.The Court elects its President and Vice-President for a three-year term. They may, when their term expires, be re-elected.The Court has the power to appoint its Registrar.(b) The International Court of Justice has compulsory Jurisdiction in the following areas:Against the background that a large number of treaties provide that disputes are submitted to the Court.Disputes pertaining to the interpretation of international law.Reparation, i.e., compensation to be made for the breach of an international obligation.(c) The advisory procedure of the International Court of Justice is open solely to international organisations.The only bodies at present authorised to request advisory opinions of the Court are five organs of the United Nations and 16 specialised agencies of the United Nations family.Since 1946 the Court has given 24 Advisory Opinions, concerning reparation for injuries suffered in the service of the United Nations, territorial status of South-West Africa and Western Sahara, etc.

Question 10

Question 1Do you think the UN has justified the role for which it was established in 1945, considering the recent wars between Ukraine and Russia and Iran and Israel? Give reasons to support your answer.

Accepted Answer

The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 to maintain international peace and security. However, its effectiveness is questioned, especially in recent conflicts like Russia-Ukraine and Iran-Israel.1. Failure to Prevent Wars(i) Russia-Ukraine War: The UN failed to stop Russia’s invasion, as Russia vetoed resolutions against itself in the Security Council. This shows UN's limitations in enforcing peace when a P5 country is involved.(ii) Iran-Israel Conflict: Despite UN calls for de-escalation, both nations continue military actions, showing the UN's limited influence.2. Veto Power Weakens Action(i) The five permanent members (P5)—USA, UK, Russia, China, France—use veto power to block resolutions based on national interests.(ii) Russia used Veto power to block actions against itself in the Ukraine war, and the US has vetoed resolutions on Israel, making the UN politically ineffective in major conflicts.3. Lack of Military Enforcement(i) The UN relies on diplomacy and economic sanctions, which are often ignored by powerful nations.(ii) It does not have its own army and depends on the member states for action, making it slow and ineffective in stopping wars.4. Success in Humanitarian Aid(i) UN agencies (WHO, WFP, UNHCR) have provided food, medical aid, and refugee support in war zones.(ii) However, aid alone cannot stop conflicts, proving the UN is reactive rather than preventive.While the UN plays a crucial role in diplomacy and humanitarian aid, it has failed to prevent wars involving powerful nations due to veto power and lack of enforcement mechanisms.

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