Samenvatting

This report examines the structural and decision-making processes of the United Nation's Security Council (hereafter referred to as UNSC) and their effects on peace-keeping and peace enforcement. The flaws of the Security Council are unraveled through analysis and description of some of the major conflicts throughout the United Nations history. The report provides research and analyzes the workings of the UNSC and recommends reforms and their effect on problems identified hereunder.
The findings of the report show that the UNSC decision-making is paralyzed by the veto power of the UNSC permanent members and that it is the creation of the World War Two (hereafter referred to as WW II) victor superpowers. Close examination also shows that there are internal conflicts in the Security Council that result in imbalances in peace-keeping and peace-enforcement. This report contends that the UNSC lacks equitable representation in geographical and constituency terms. Overall, by ways of examples and analysis, the report proves that the above-mentioned issues disrupt decision-making efficiency and effectiveness of the UNSC in peace-keeping and peace-enforcement. This leads to the conclusion that flaws should be addressed immediately to avoid further complications in existing and emerging conflicts.
Several attempts for reforms are analyzed, in which the essential reforms are the following: increase in the political and economic costs of vetoing and adding more permanent and non-permanent members to improve geographical representation. The report also considers the opposing views and the negative and positive consequences stemming from reforms.