In recent weeks the United Nations Security Council has met to discuss Israelโs planned military expansion in Gaza, to reject the creation of a rival government in Sudan, and hear reports of conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and at the Thailand/Cambodia border.
The Security Council is a powerful, yet controversial, organisation at the centre of the United Nations. They have an immense amount of power, but this power is concentrated in the hands of just 5 countries.
Today I want to think about 2 questions. What exactly is the UN Security Council, and why does it have so much influence over international peace and security?
In todayโs episode of Thinking in English, weโre going to look at the history of the Security Council, how it works, and the difference between permanent and temporary members.
Weโll talk about its goals and powers, examine some of the criticisms it faces, and think about what the future might hold for one of the most powerful organisations in the world.
Listen Here!
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTubeInteractive Transcript!
You Can Now Read and Listen at the Same Time With an Interactive Transcript!
Vocabulary
- Resolution (Noun): A formal decision or statement made by an organisation or group.
- The UN passed a resolution to provide aid to the flood victims.
- Intervention (Noun): The act of getting involved in a situation to change what happens.
- The UN called for international intervention to stop the conflict.
- Permanent (Adjective): Lasting for a long time or forever.
- She has a permanent job at the university.
- Veto (Noun/Verb): The power to reject or block a decision or proposal.
- The country used its veto to stop the new law from being approved.
- Security (Noun): The state of being safe or protected from danger.
- The airport has tight security at all times.
- Representation (Noun): The act of speaking or acting on behalf of others.
- The lawyer provided legal representation for her client.
What is the UN Security Council?
The United Nations Security Council, often called the Security Council, is one of the most important parts of the United Nations.
While the UN has many different bodies and organisations, the Security Council is the one responsible for keeping international peace and security.
Its main responsibilities include: trying to prevent wars and violent conflicts between countries; authorising military action if it believes it is necessary to protect peace; imposing sanctions, punishments like trade restrictions, on countries that break international rules; and approving and organising peacekeeping missions, where UN soldiers are sent to conflict areas to protect civilians and help maintain order.
The Security Council has a special kind of power under the UN Charter which is the main legal document that explains how the UN works. This means that when the Security Council makes a decision, it is binding. In other words, all UN member countries are legally required to follow it.
History of the Security Council
The UN Security Council was created in 1945, at the same time as the United Nations itself. World leaders had just experienced the horrors of World War II, and they wanted to design a system that could prevent another global conflict.
At a meeting in San Francisco, representatives from 50 countries agreed on the UN Charter, the set of rules for how the organisation would work. One of the main ideas was collective security. Collective security is the belief that all countries should work together to stop aggression and protect peace. The world would be more secure if countries had a place to meet, discuss, and negotiate with each other and in the presence of other countries.
The structure of the Security Council reflected the political reality of 1945. The most powerful countries from the winning side of World War II, China (at the time represented by the Republic of China which moved to Taiwan after the civil war, but was eventually replaced by the Peopleโs Republic of China at the UN), France, the Soviet Union (now represented by Russia), the United Kingdom, and the United States,ยง were given permanent seats and special powers.
The other seats would be filled by countries chosen for shorter terms, allowing more nations to participate in decisions about peace and security.
From its first meeting in January 1946, the Security Council has been at the centre of some of the worldโs biggest political debates, crises, and peace efforts.
Permanent vs. Temporary Members
The UN Security Council has 15 members in total. These are divided into two groups: permanent members and temporary members.
The five permanent members, often called the P5, are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States
These countries have been permanent members since the Security Council was created in 1945. They have a special power called the veto. This means that if just one permanent member votes โnoโ on a major decision, the whole resolution is blocked, even if every other country agrees.
This gives the P5 a huge influence over the Councilโs actions. And can make it hard to come to an agreement on difficult situations, as often the US, Russia, and China will disagree with each other.
The other ten members are temporary members. They are chosen by the UN General Assembly, a meeting of all UN countries, for two-year terms. Temporary members do not have veto power, but they can still vote, join discussions, and help shape the Councilโs decisions.
Seats for temporary members are shared between different regions of the world, so that every part of the globe has a chance to be represented.
Right now, the ten non-permanent members of the security council are Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia.
Goals and Purposes of the UN Security Council
The main goal of the UN Security Council is simple: to keep the world safe and peaceful. But in practice, this can be a very difficult job.
One of the goals is to prevent armed conflict. The Council tries to solve problems before they turn into wars, but this is much easier said than done.
If fighting breaks out, the UN Security Council can respond to the crisis. Some of the things the Council can do is organise peace talks, send peacekeepers, or approve military action.
Once a conflict is over, the Security Council has the goal of supporting peach after conflict. The Council is supposed to help rebuild countries after war by supporting new governments, restoring order, and protecting civilians.
Of course, all of these goals and tasks are incredibly difficult challenges, and the Security Council can take many different actions to achieve these goals. It might pass resolutions that demand countries stop fighting, impose sanctions that make it harder for aggressive governments to get money or weapons, or send UN peacekeeping forces to protect people in dangerous situations.
For example, after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, the Security Council passed strong resolutions demanding withdrawal. It also authorised a coalition of countries to use military force to remove Iraqi forces.
The Council authorised military action to protect civilians during the civil war in Libya. This decision was at first seen as a success for international intervention, but later turned out to be incredibly controversial.
Criticisms of the Security Council
There are also a lot of criticisms surrounding the Security Council.
One major criticism is the veto power. This rule means that if even one permanent member votes โnoโ on a major decision, the action cannot go ahead. Countries have used the veto to protect their own interests, even in situations where urgent action was needed. This can make the Council slow and ineffective during crises.
For example, after the Security Council approved action in Libya, Russia and China felt like they had been misled by the US. In response, they have repeatedly vetoed any military interventions.
For example, multiple resolutions addressing the civil war in Syria have been blocked by vetoes from Russia and China. And when Russia invaded Ukraine, the Security Council tried to respond, but Russiaโs veto prevented major resolutions against its actions.
Another criticism is representation. The five permanent members were chosen in 1945, after World War II. At that time, they were among the most powerful countries. But the world has changed, and powers like India, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, and Germany play a much bigger role today, yet they do not have permanent seats. Many people say the Council no longer reflects modern global politics.
The Council is also sometimes accused of double standards. Critics say it acts strongly in some situations but ignores others, depending on the political interests of the permanent members.
Because of these problems, some people believe the Security Council struggles to fulfil its mission of keeping the world peaceful and fair.
The Future of the UN Security Council
For many years, world leaders and experts have been talking about how to reform the UN Security Council. Most people agree that the way it works now has problems, but there is no agreement on how to fix them.
One common idea is to add more permanent members. Countries like India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan, as well as representatives from Africa, are often suggested. This could make the Council more representative of todayโs world. Even more radical would be to remove permanent members entirely (which is very unlikely).
Another proposal is to limit the veto power, especially in situations involving genocide or other serious human rights violations. Supporters say this would stop permanent members from blocking urgent action.
Some suggest changing the way temporary seats are shared between regions, so that more voices are heard in discussions.
However, reform is extremely difficult. To change the rules, all five permanent members must agree, and they are often reluctant to give up any of their power.
For now, the Security Council will likely continue to work much as it does today. Whether it can adapt to the challenges of the 21st century is still an open question.
Final Thought
The UN Security Council is one of the most powerful parts of the United Nations.
It was created after World War II to protect peace, solve conflicts, and uphold international law. But its structure, especially the power of the permanent members, often leads to debate and disagreement.
Some see it as a vital tool for international cooperation. Others believe it is outdated and needs urgent reform.
What do you think? Can the Security Council change to meet the needs of todayโs world or will it remain a symbol of the past?
Extended Vocabulary List
Become a Patreon Subscriber to Access the Extended Vocabulary List!
Vocabulary Games and Activities!
Learn and practice vocabulary from this Thinking in English episode.
Practice using 5 different study games and activities – including writing, listening, and memorisation techniques!
Flashcards
Matching Game
Learning Game
Test Yourself
Listening and Spelling
Do you want to Think in English?
I’m so excited that you found my blog and podcast!! If you donโt want to miss an article or an episode, you can subscribe to my page!
