The United Nations is notorious for its stringent modalities. Many critics argue that the UN is an inefficient, inflexible, costly and corrupt bureaucratic body that will be plagued with its short comings for as long as politics exist.
In 2016 the world experienced many unpredicted events, Brexit, the failed plebiscite in Colombia, impeachment of South Korean President inter alia. These events all seem connected by the populous retaliating against the elites, their failures or an outright loss of faith in institution.
The 2016 United States Presidential Elections were no different; shocking the world over. Bilateral relationships are projected to falter; Mexico for example has no intention of building its own prison, or strengthen; Russian leader Vladimir Putin has expressed his willingness to cooperate with the billionaire president elect. Multilateral agreements such as the TPP are set to crumble. The Human Rights of Women, Immigrants and detainees will no longer be staples of the leader of the free world, prompting other nations to follow suit of indifference. Will this tectonic shift in the hegemons domestic politics rattle the United Nations?
This paper will begin with a brief description of the US Election; expanding on why many fear the succeeding US incumbent and the influence that the US president has on foreign policy. Subsequently, a description of the UN system will give insight into its structure and debilities, each prong of the system will then be analysed in light of how its will be affected by the US 2016 Election. Will this event have any effect at all or will it be ‘business as usual’ in the realm of international affairs? Does it take a bull in a china shop to catalyse institutional UN reform?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Trump is precarious?
3. The UN System
4. The Trump effect on Peripheral bodies
5. Trump effect on the General Assembly
6. Trump effect on the Security Council
7. A catalyst for UN evolution?
8. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper examines the potential implications of the 2016 United States presidential election on the United Nations system, investigating how the shift in American foreign policy under Donald Trump may impact the structure, funding, and international influence of the UN.
- Analysis of the US presidential transition and its impact on foreign policy.
- Evaluation of the structural vulnerabilities of the United Nations.
- Investigation into the influence of US funding on peripheral UN bodies.
- Assessment of changing power dynamics within the General Assembly and the Security Council.
- Exploration of potential institutional reforms triggered by geopolitical shifts.
Excerpt from the Book
The Trump effect on the Security Council
If the General Assembly acts as the representative legislature, the Security Council is the executive body. Constituted by fifteen members, five are permanent –China, United Kingdom, France, Russia, United States- and ten are non-permanent. The UN endows the Security Council with special privileges. It is the only body of the UN with the legal mandate to authorize Art 51, the use of force. The Security Council informally influences the election of the UN Secretary General either by way of vetoing a candidates and lobbying for candidates who are in their best interest. The Council enjoys classified information not privy to other members, and other countries are expected to send troops and other military aid to carry out the council’s decisions (Kuziemko & Werker, 2004). Article 24 of the UN charter posits, member states “confer on the security council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and agree that in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the security council acts on their behalf”.
The US is of course a permanent Security Council Member since they were apart of the Coalition that defeated Nazi Germany in WWII. Each member has constitutionally, one vote (art 27), one representative (art 23) and all have the same functions and powers (art 24-26), however, this hardly means that power is equal among members.
Studies prove that the typical country serving in a non-permanent capacity during a relatively important year for the council sees their US economic aid increase by 77%. (Kuziemko & Werker, 2004). Therefore, the US uses leverage as a means to influence non-permanent members, or in other words vote buy. By providing extra aid to non-permanent members of the council during important years for international events, agenda setters have manipulated security council resolutions. (Kuziemko & Werker, 2004). Nevertheless, this opportunity is not solely a US exercise, the other permanent members conduct this ‘secret diplomacy’ manipulation techniques.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of the challenges facing the UN and sets the stage for analyzing how the 2016 US presidential election could disrupt international institutional stability.
Trump is precarious?: Discusses the transition of power to Donald Trump, highlighting his unconventional foreign policy rhetoric and the uncertainty surrounding his potential actions as President.
The UN System: Offers a brief historical background of the League of Nations and the formation of the United Nations, outlining its core organs and functional structures.
The Trump effect on Peripheral bodies: Analyzes the dependency of aid organizations like the UNHCR and WFP on US funding and the potential risks of a shift in American priorities.
Trump effect on the General Assembly: Explores the declining US influence within the General Assembly and the shifting power balance toward developing nations.
Trump effect on the Security Council: Examines the role of the Security Council as an executive body and how the US utilizes its permanent membership and economic leverage to shape outcomes.
A catalyst for UN evolution?: Speculates on whether the challenges posed by a Trump presidency could serve as a necessary catalyst for long-overdue institutional reform within the UN.
Conclusion: Summarizes the potential repercussions of the new US administration and emphasizes that the UN must choose between stagnation or adaptation through innovation.
Keywords
United Nations, Donald Trump, United States Foreign Policy, International Relations, Security Council, General Assembly, UNHCR, World Food Program, Humanitarian Aid, Institutional Reform, Geopolitics, Multilateralism, Veto Power, International Law, Presidential Power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research?
The research explores the potential impact of the 2016 US presidential election results on the functioning and influence of the United Nations system, particularly focusing on the shift toward protectionist American foreign policy.
What are the primary thematic areas explored in the paper?
Key themes include US-UN diplomatic relations, the influence of American funding on international aid bodies, the dynamics of the UN Security Council, and the prospects for institutional reform.
What is the central research question?
The paper investigates whether the "tectonic shift" in American domestic politics and the unconventional approach of the incoming Trump administration will undermine or force a necessary evolution within the United Nations.
Which scientific or analytical approach does the author use?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis, examining historical context, institutional structures, and political rhetoric to assess how specific changes in US leadership might affect international organizations.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the political transition in the US, the structural components of the UN (core vs. periphery), the impact of US funding on humanitarian agencies, and power maneuvers within the Security Council and General Assembly.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include UN system, US foreign policy, Trump administration, humanitarian aid, Security Council resolutions, and institutional reform.
How does the author characterize the potential impact of the "Trump effect" on peripheral UN bodies?
The author suggests these bodies are highly vulnerable due to their heavy reliance on US financial contributions and the ambiguity of Trump’s stance on global development aid versus domestic priorities.
What is the role of the Security Council in the author's analysis?
The Security Council is analyzed as an executive body where the US exercises significant leverage through veto power and the strategic provision of economic aid to influence the votes of non-permanent members.
What is the final conclusion regarding the future of the UN?
The author concludes that while the UN is currently stuck in outdated modalities, the potential "disastrous period" under a Trump presidency could ultimately catalyze meaningful reform and drive the organization toward necessary innovation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mariana Suarez Jimenez (Autor:in), 2016, Implications of the 2016 United States of America Presidential Election on the United Nations System, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/350538
