Question

“The United Nations was not created to take humanity to heaven, but to save it from hell.” Support the statement with relevant examples.

Answer 1

1. The UN is an imperfect body, but without it, the world would. International organisations are not the answer to everything, but they are important.
2. International organisations help with matters of war and peace. They also help countries cooperate to make better living conditions for us all.
3. Countries have conflicts and differences with each other. That does not necessarily mean they must go to war to deal with their antagonisms. They can instead discuss contentious issues and find peaceful solutions. The role of an international organisation is important in this context.
4. An international organisation is not a super-state with authority over its members. Once created, it can help member states resolve their problems peacefully.
5. There are issues that are so challenging that they can only be dealt with when everyone works together. The disease is an example. Some diseases can only be eradicated if everyone in the world cooperates in inoculating or vaccinating their populations. Or take global warming and its effects; international organisations can help produce information and ideas about how to cooperate.
6. It can provide mechanisms, rules, and a bureaucracy to help members have more confidence that costs will be shared properly and that the benefits will be fairly divided.