Question

Do you think that in the changed global scenario, the Security Council should add more permanent members? Give reasons to support your answer.

Answer 1

Yes, the Security Council should have more permanent members to reflect the current world rather than the environment in which it was established in 1945. The reasons behind this are summarised here:

1. Despite dramatic changes in global reality, the Security Council's basic organisation has remained mostly unchanged since 1945. As a result, today's Security Council does not reflect contemporary reality.
2. When the United Nations was founded in 1945, there were 51 member states. Now there are 193 member states, approximately four times the original amount, while the number of permanent members has remained constant at five.
3. The Asia-Pacific Group has 54 member states in the United Nations, accounting for more than half of the global population. Despite its significant development, Asia now accounts for only one-fifth of the Council's membership (China and two non-permanent members).
4. Africa accounts for more than one-fourth of the Member States. There is no permanent seat for Africa, only three nonpermanent seats. As a result, more permanent members should be added to the Security Council to ensure its credibility, effectiveness, and representativeness.