SBQ :Issue: Effectiveness of United Nations in carrying out its aims

Study the sources carefully, and then answer all the questions.

You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to those sources which you are told to use. In answering the questions you should use your knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.

1 (a) Study Source A.


What does Source A tells you about UN's commitment to its aims? Explain your answer. [5]

(b) Study Source B.
How useful is Source B in aiding your understanding of the effectiveness of UN? Explain your answer. [7]

(c) Study Source C.
Does Source C prove that UN has the support of the international community? Explain your answer. [6]

(d) Study Source D and E.
Evaluate the differences between Source D and E. [7]


Issue: Effectiveness of United Nations in carrying out its aims



Background
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achieving world peace. The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II to stop wars between countries and to provide a platform for dialogue.
There are currently 192 member states, including nearly every recognized independent state in the world. From its headquarters on international territory in New York City, the UN and its specialized agencies decide on substantive and administrative issues in regular meetings held throughout the year. The organization is divided into administrative bodies, primarily:
The General Assembly (the main deliberative assembly);
The Security Council (decides certain resolutions for peace and security);
The Economic and Social Council (assists in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development);
The Secretariat (provides studies, information, and facilities needed by the UN);
The International Court of Justice (the primary judicial organ).
Additional bodies deal with the governance of all other UN System agencies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).



Source A An abstract from an interview with Lord Robertson, Chairman of the Commission for Global Road Safety, which proposed a global ministerial conference to United Nations.




I am delighted that the UN has today recognised the scale of human suffering and economic loss caused by road traffic deaths and injuries [by approving the proposal]. Now we must ensure that the UN Conference is not just another talking shop, but secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths.




Source B An Abstract from The Times, “Bush deploys hawk as new UN envoy”, dated 8th March 2005

Bush nomination of John Bolton as US Ambassador to the United Nations is seen by many as an aggressive move. Mr Bolton once said:“There is no such thing as the United Nations. There is only the international community, which can only be led by the only remaining superpower, which is the United States." He also stated that "The [UN] Secretariat building in New York has 38 stories. If you lost ten stories today, it wouldn't make a bit of difference."

Source C An abstract of a report on a public poll conducte.d for BBC World Service by international polling company GlobeScan published on World Public Opinion’s website dated 24 January 2006

In 30 of the 32 countries polled, a majority (23 countries) rated the United Nations as having a positive influence. On average 59 percent rated the United Nations as having a positive influence, while just 16 percent rated it as having a negative influence.
However, among the 19 countries that were polled in December 2004 and again in the current poll, the percentage giving the U.N. a positive rating is down an average of 10 points.

Source D An abstract from an article taken from a blog in response to the controversies surrounding UN

Haitian underage girls are now paying for taking help from the UN. They have been sexually exploited by Sri Lankan UN peace-keepers for less than $1. Haitian feminists have now woken up to the problem and are demanding inquires by the UN. Olga Benoit of Haitian Women’s Solidarity recalls another case involving two Pakistani soldiers about two years ago. These men in uniform had raped a mentally challenged woman whom they were supposed to protect.
Poor girls in this horribly impoverished nation are just cattle for both Haitian men and their foreign protectors. Excessively patriarchal Haiti chooses to look the other way when girls are exploited. After all, a dollar is better than no money at all.

Source E Brazilian UN soldiers help a handicapped child as they distribute food and a program of music to celebrate peace in the Cite Soleil slum of Port-au-Prince, 25 April 2007

Try to check the answer after you have done the question.

Study Source A
What does Source A tells you about UN’s commitment to its aims? Explain your answer. (5)

(Note from the Ess: This set of answer only have ICE Inference Content and Explanation. If you got two ICE it is o.k.)

Source A tells me that UN is committed to its aims of fostering cooperation in international law, economic development, social progress.(Inference) Based on Source A, “UN today recognised the scale of human suffering and economic loss caused by approving the proposal”(Content). This shows that when called for action by the global community, UN will take immediate actions. Hence, showing that UN is committed to its cause. (Explanation)

In addition, from Source A, “UN conference is not just another talking shop, but secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths.”(Content) This shows that UN does try to involve leaders in the world to work together in solving global issues. (Inference +explanation)

Source A shows that UN may sometime falter in carrying out its programme to achieve its aims.(Inference) From Source A, ““UN conference is not just another talking shop, but secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths.”(Content) This shows that sometimes decisions made were not carried out by the member countries. (Explanation)

(Note from the Ess. You can also ICE the POA which means you infer the purpose and get the content and explanation to support your inference. Do not forget the outcome)


The speaker's purpose in saying that he was delighted that the UN has recognised the scale of human suffering is trying to hint (Purpose words) that the UN did not recognised the human suffering in the past. It is said in an ironic tone. He wants the conference to be a real effective (outcome) one instead of "another talking shop" as he does not seems to have enough faith in the UN. He hope that he can" secures real commitments and takes real action to reverse the tide of global road deaths." Therefore Source A tells me that the UN is not totally committed to its aims.

(b) Study Source B
How useful is Source B in aiding your understanding of the effectiveness of UN? Explain your answer. [7]

Yes. Source B is useful in aiding my understanding of the effectiveness of UN. Source B suggests that one of the reasons for UN ineffectiveness was the commitment and support from member countries. From Source B, “Bush nomination of John Bolton to United Nations is seen by many as an aggressive move”. This suggests that one of the problems which UN faces is the support of its member countries. This information suggests that the some of its member countries has its own agenda when sending envoys to UN and they may not be supportive of UN’s stance.

This is further supported by information from Source C, “among 19 countries polled in December 2004 and again in the current poll, the percentage giving the UN a positive rating is down” Since more countries are seeing UN as having a less positive influence. This suggests that they would be less supportive of UN’s actions and decisions. This concurs with that of Source B. Hence, Source B is useful to my understanding of UN limitations.

However, Source B has its limitations. Source B shows comments and reaction from one source. It does not represent the reaction from all member countries. Source B does not represent the extend of UN’s problems.

(Note from the Ess Notice, the Ying Yang (useful and not useful aspect) +cross reference) You must have these three elements to score full marks.

(c)Study Source C. Does Source C prove that UN has the support of the international community? Explain your answer.

(Explain why it does not prove)

No, Source C does not prove that UN has the support of the international community. From Source C, “average 59 percent rated the United Nations as having a positive influence, while just 16 percent rated it as having a negative influence”. This shows that out of the countries polled, there are some which thinks that UN has a negative influence. If these countries do not see UN in a positive light they would be less likely to be supportive of what UN does.

(Cross ref to support)

In addition, cross-referenced against Source D, “Haitian underage girls are now paying for taking help from the UN. They have been sexually exploited by Sri Lankan UN peace-keepers” This shows that UN peacekeepers are not helping the people in need. This agrees with Source C in saying that there are countries which does not see UN as a positive influence. Hence, Source C is unreliable to prove that UN has the support of the international community.

(Explain why it does prove)

However, we can trust Source C that it does prove that UN is getting the support from the international community. As Source C is a factual source, with neutral tone. It does not take side of the UN. It is a report by an international polling company which has no stake in UN. The purpose of the source is to inform the public about the popularity of UN.

(d) Study Source D and E
Evaluate the differences between Source D and E. [7]

Source D and E are similar in identifying the role of the UN peacekeeping troops. (Comparing statement) From Source D, “raped a mentally challenged woman whom they were supposed to protect” and from Source E showing UN soldiers helping a boy by carrying him. Both sources inform us that UN’s role in the countries that they were deployed to is to help the people.

Source D and E are different in assessing the service rendered by UN troops. (comparing statement)

Source D shows that UN peacekeeping troops were a negative addition to the people. From Source D, “they have been sexually exploited by Sri Lankan UN peace-keepers”, these men in uniform had raped a mentally challenged woman whom they were supposed to protect” This shows that instead of helping the people in need, UN soldiers are adding to their misery.

On the other hand, Source E shows that UN soldiers are a positive addition to the people. From Source E, UN soldiers were carrying a handicapped boy. This shows that UN soldiers were doing good in the place that they are helping. Hence, Source D and E are different.

Source D and E are different in their purpose by depicting UN soldiers in different light. (Comparing statement)

Source D’s purpose in to vilify UN soldiers by discussing the ill-behaviours of UN soldiers, the author hopes to highlight the negative behaviours of the soldiers in hope the UN take action against such acts.

On the other hand, Source E is glorifying the works of UN troops by showing UN soldiers doing a good job in the country they are helping. The photographer may be attempting to gather more support for UN.

(Note from the Ess. Notcie the structure of the answer. You have a comparing statement then you find ifnormation in Source D and Source C to support the comparing statement.)

Reason for the formation of the United Nation

To what extent did concerns with peacekeeping lead to the formation of the UN? Explain your answer.

Issue : Reasons for the formation of the UN

Primary Reason: Concern with peacekeeping

Secondary Reason : Promotion of economic development

The United Nations was formed after World War II to promote peace, security, and economic development. It came into existence after the collapse of the League of Nations which had been started after World War I.

The League of Nations took too long to make decisions and peace was broken. For example when the Japanese invaded Manchuria in 1939 the League of Nations could not stop this. This showed that the League was powerless and a new organization was needed. The League had no arm of its own and relied on the cooperation of members.

In addition the outbreak of WW2 showed that peace was not maintained by the League. Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941exposed the League’s weaknesses in peacekeeping. So a new organization, the UN was established so that the weaknesses of the failed League would not be repeated. Therefore the concern with peacekeeping was the primary reason that lead to the formation of the UN.

However there was the additional concern of promotion economic social and cultural development. For example, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was formed under the UN umbrella to bring the world to a point where all the people are not just free of diseases e.g. cholera and smallpox but are at a high level of health. It provides money to train doctors, nurses and other health workers for developing countries and keeps governments informed about new drugs.

In addition, the Food & Agricultural Oragnisation. (FAO) aims to raise standards by encouraging improvements in agricultural production. It Introduces new varieties of maize and rice which have a higher yield and are less susceptible to disease. It train people in poor countries how to increase food production by the use of fertilizers, new techniques and new machinery and cash to fund new projects.

Peacekeeping as compared to economic development played a more important part in the formation of the UN. In peacekeeping, the UN was able to prevent further conflicts and bloodshed from breaking out. In armed conflicts, more people would be killed and buildings destroyed. Hence peace-keeping was more a determining factor than promoting economic development. It is less important because it depends a great deal on the peacekeeping measures. Only if peace could be enforced, can there be there economic development.

“The United Nations :a successful international organization” Do you agree? Explain your answer. [13]

Issue: Success of the UN

Give proposition: UN is successful

Alternative proposition: UN is not successful

Rank

Balanced conclusion: Successful in some areas, unsuccessful in other areas. UN is not a complete success neither is it a complete failure.

Yes, UN is a successful international organization.

The UN has played an important role to preserve world peace and provide aid. The UN Security Council has successfully imposed sanctions as deterrence to prevent wars. This collective effort has led to many successes such as helping to maintain peace in troubled areas such as Kuwait, Iraq, etc UN intervention in the Korea War stop the spread of communism in the south and helped to come to an agreement to end the war.

The International Court of Justice also helps members to settle their disputes peacefully. For example, Singapore has benefited through trying to solve conflicts peacefully with Malaysia over Pedra Branca and the water issue.

The UN is most effective in providing help such as food and medicine to countries in need that face emergencies eg. floods, earthquake, famines in Pakistan, the Philippines, etc. UN international aid through its various organizations such as the Red Cross, have helped to build communities in times of crisis such as after Iran earthquake and the tsunami crisis in Acheh.

However UN is not completely a successful international organization.
UN has not been successful all the time, especially in its peacekeeping missions on some occasions.

The Peace-keepers are only sent if the warring parties want to have peace and are willing to accept UN intervention. Sometimes the countries concerned do not welcome the UN’s help and conflict could worsen as opposition fight against UN troops as can be seen in the war in Iraq.

The sending out of the Peace-keepers often went too late and half-heartedly. This is because consent of the major UN members must be sought before they were sent. The peace-keeping force made up of troops from different countries. The troops are under various different commanders and often, their actions are not well-coordinated.

The UN Peace-keepers are not given active political power to over-rule the countries in conflict. They are only acting as impartial third party to supervise armistice only. Sometimes UN intervention worsens the already tense situation and escalates the war into an international conflict. Eg: The Korean War.

Many members of the peacekeeping forces and innocent lives have been lost or injured and destruction caused as UN peacekeeping forces try to put down rebels. The UN also sometimes fail to stop conflicts as seen from the outbreak of the Vietnam War, the recent N.Korean missile crisis and the attacks in Lebanon.

The UN is most successful in providing aid to members who are in trouble as she is able to harness resources such as food and medicine donated by its many members from the developed world and other world organizations. However, in its safekeeping tasks, it has not been as successful as it faces limitations – the UN is not given the active political powers to intercede and overrule the countries in conflict.

But to a large extent, the UN is a successful organisation and has helped to prevent the outbreak of another major world war.

a) To what extent has Singapore’s involvement in ASEAN helped her to maintain good diplomatic relations? Explain your answer. [12]

Issue : How Singapore maintain good diplomatic relations

Given factor : Singapore's involvement in ASEAN

Alternative Factors : Membership in UN,Bilateral Relationship.

Rank

Foundation /Corner stone : Bilateral Relationship

Secondary Relationship: Regional (ASEAN relationship) International Relationship.

Yes Singapore's involvement in ASEAN has helped her to maintain good diplomatic relations with her neighbour in South East Asia.

Singapore is active in leading ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meetings to discuss security issues and confidence building measures with other counterpart nations like USA, China, Japan and Korea. She has been proactive in sponsoring and supporting regular opportunities for Foreign Ministers of ASEAN to meet with their regional and international counterparts to discuss issues of security concern so as to promote greater confidence and transparency in international dealings. This has earned the respect of the countries in the region in believing that Singapore is eager to pursue foreign policies beneficial to the region.

In this way, Singapore has managed to maintain good diplomatic ties with her neighbours. There have been no major disputes that have led to violence or war between the members ever since ASEAN’s formation. Instead there has been mutual cooperation on several issues such as dealing with terrorism. Singapore has also shared her expertise and knowledge in several areas with her neighbours such as Indonesia in fighting haze. She has offered ASEAN scholarships to deserving students from ASEAN countries.

However, besides ASEAN, bilateral and international relations are equally important in helping Singapore maintain good diplomatic relations.

Singapore is active in supporting UN missions and commissions in international peacekeeping and international law plenary sessions. Since her accession to the United Nations, Singapore has sat on the General Assembly and sent peacekeeping, police and medical missions to countries ranging from Cambodia, East Timor to Iraq. Singapore is also prolific in volunteering for international law plenary sessions and discussions. She has been involved in chairing the draft sessions of the UN Law of the Sea Convention. Her willingness to play her part in international peacekeeping has won her the respect and good diplomatic standing in the international community. This willing to be a positive contribution to the United Nations has helped enhanced her good diplomatic standing. Therefore maintianing international relationship has helped Sinagpore to maintian good diplomatic relationships with many countries.

Besides, Singapore is also active in fostering strong bilateral ties to promote greater cooperation and mutual benefits. Singapore consistently seeks to build good bilateral relations with countries in the region such as Malaysia and also form new partnerships with those not traditionally in the circle of contact. To those in the region, Singapore is ready to assist in community and humanitarian missions eg. Indonesia and the Philippines. Singapore also explores new trading links and relations with countries further away like Bahrain, Chile eg. recent FTA talks to break new grounds in forging win-win solutions in bilateral cooperation. Therefore maintianing bilateral relationship has helped Sinagpore to maintian good diplomatic relationships with many countries as Singapore is current not having any conflict with any countiry.


In conclusion, building sound bilateral relations is the corner stone or foundation of Singapore diplomacy and that is the single most important factor that has helped her to build close regional ties and to contribute positively to the international community. Good bilateral relations between Singapore and other individual states is the basis that allows her to function meaningfully within supranational frameworks be it regional organizations like ASEAN or International Organisations such as the UN.

SEQ Diplomacy and Deterrance

Is diplomacy a more effective measure than Total Defence to ensure Singapore's security? Explain your answer.

Issue : Singapore’s security

Given measure : Diplomacy

Alternative measure : Total Defence

Rank Order

More effective measure to ensure Singapore’s security
· Total Defence (necessary but not sufficient measure)

Supporting measure to ensure Singapore’s security
· Diplomacy (part of the measures for Singapore’s security but not sufficient)

(Yes I know that this is perhaps one of the longer essay. You need not write down everything just summaries and provide one or two examples.In fact you can spilt this essay into two)

Diplomacy is the way in which countries manage or conduct relations with one another. Its main aim is to promote common interests and to resolves conflicting interests in a peaceful manner. Developing good diplomatic relationships with many countries is an effective measure to ensure Singapore security but not sufficient.

Singapore must also have the ability to defend herself. That is why Total Defence was introduced in 1984 to involve every Singaporean in the defence of the country. However it can be effective only when all Singaporeans believe that Singapore is worth defending, and are involved in the defence efforts. Total Defence is about the different things Singaporeans can do every day in every sector of the society to strengthen the people’s resilience as a nation. It is a necessary but insufficient measure to ensure Singapore’s security.

Diplomacy is one measure that Singapore uses to ensure her security. It provides opportunity for countries to pursue mutual interests. It also enables them to cooperate with one another and resolve conflicts, differences and disagreements peacefully.

Diplomacy can be achieved through bilateral relations. For example, Singapore has been actively involved in building its diplomatic ties with other countries. She has been expanding bilateral relationships with many countries since its independence. With bilateral relations, Singapore was able to further promote political, economic, and cultural ties with neighboring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. As a result, with bilateral relations, countries will help each other when things get out of hand. Because they have developed good diplomatic relationship, they are less willing to declare war with each other as they prefer to use peaceful means to solve their differences. Therefore promoting bilateral relation is one measure Singapore has used to ensure her security.

Diplomacy can also be achieved through regional relations as with regional relations, Singapore will be able to become stronger by combining the strengths of member countries. It will, therefore, be in a better position in dealing with other countries. This form of diplomacy ensures the security of Singapore because it provides an opportunity for Singapore to collaborate with other countries to pursue mutual interests which will benefit everyone. The collaboration of countries include helping one another to solve common problems such as transnational terrorism, SARS and the avian flu that threatens the security of Singapore. Diplomacy through regional relations also helps Singapore to resolve her conflicts, differences and disagreements with other countries peacefully. An example of a regional organization that can safeguard the security of Singapore is ASEAN. It allows Singapore to resolve occasional disputes with member countries peacefully. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in which Singapore is a member also helps to ensure the security of Singapore since it promotes political and security dialogues that tackles security issues and resolve conflicts peacefully.

Diplomacy achieved through international relations can also help to ensure Singapore’s security. For example, Singapore is also part of the United Nation (UN), which has a membership of 192 countries. Singapore’s membership in the UN helps it to maintain its independence and territorial integrity. The Security Council of the UN helps to maintain international peace and security which is especially important for a small country like Singapore. Therefore by being a member of UN, it helps to ensure Singapore’s security.

However, cultivating good diplomatic relationship alone will not ensure Singapore’s security nor is it a more effective measure than Total Defence. Singapore need to have Total Defence to deter potential enemy incase diplomacy fails.

Total Defence is an effective measure in ensure Singapore’s security. It was introduced in 1984 to involve everyone in the defence of Singapore and strengthen the people’s resilience as a nation. Potential aggressors will think twice about attacking Singapore if they face the entire nation and not just the armed forces. Total Defence comprises of 5 aspects: Military, Civil, Economic, Social and Psychological Defence.

Military defence is one aspect in Total Defence. In Singapore, we have a large citizen armed force of over 350 thousand soldiers which is operationally ready to deter potential aggressors. Besides that, the armed forces is also on the way to be transformed into an intelligent defence force where surveillance and strike systems of the Air Force, Navy and Army operate together to provide early intelligence which would help to destroy the enemy even before they can locate us. The fighting capability of the armed forces is also enhanced by the presence of the defence industry which helped it develop into an effective fighting force through the use of latest defence technologies, weapons and equipment. In this way, the security of Singapore is ensured as our level of deterrence is heightened and our enemy would think twice before they plan to attack Singapore.

Civil defence aspect in Total Defence also contribute to the security of Singapore. It can also be strengthen through the emphasis on civil readiness. Social defence aspect in Total Defence refers to the unity of multi-ethnic groups in Singapore in the face of social crisis such as a terrorist attack that seeks to pull ethnic groups apart. Social defence could be achieved through activities such as emergency preparedness exercises, and activities that promote inter-racial and interreligious understanding. Psychological defence aspect in Total Defence refers to the intangible aspect of defence which emphasizes on the need to have pride and loyalty and wanting to stand up and defend Singapore from security threats. It helps the people overcome social challenges and stand together in unity to face those challenges boldly as a nation. By developing these five aspects of Total Defence Singapore’s security is ensured as our potential enemy is aware that it will not be easy to conquer Singapore.

In conclusion, by developing Total Defence she present a strong deterrent to prevent any country from attacking her. This is a necessary measures but it is insufficient as she needs to minimize the possibilities of these countries from attacking her through the forming of friendships and reducing hostilities with other countries through the development of good diplomatic relationship.

However, it can be argued that a strong deterrent signal through Total Defence will help to safeguard the security of Singapore even in times when diplomacy fails completely.
Having diplomacy alone will not guarantee that Singapore’s security can be ensured since no physical aggression by foreign countries can be anticipated with certainty. Therefore diplomacy is not the more effective measure in ensuring Singapore’s security.


Notes from the Ess : Answers that focus only on those diplomatic measures that Singapore employs but has no relation to how they could contribute to Singapore’s security will not be accepted

Similarly answers that focus only on those Total Defence aspects that has no clear link to how they could contribute to Singapore’s security will receive no marks.