> Brian wrote: > Question: Wouldn't the flip side argument to this be that, when faced with a > legitimate threat that requires swift action, the ambiguous nature of the UN > would become a dangerous hindrance?
Good question - I guess I don't think the nebulous nature of UN power equals a glacial reaction to threats. The reason it sometimes translates into that is due to disagreement over what's a threat. That's where the problems come in - one nation's threat is another's annoyance or possibly profit. The only way around that is to create some type of operating principles that state what is and isn't a threat. You could add trade and other things to this. (maybe this already exists or is in the works?) Here a good example - I was once on vacation in Canada and the lake water was crystal clear. I asked if it was safe to drink and told no because of Chinese industrial plants. What? It turns out that the filth the plants spew out floats in the atmosphere and then rains down all over the northern hemisphere. Is that a threat? Is it a complaint? How would you deal with that? That's what the UN should be good for. As to military threats I just don't see how preemption will ever work unless you have concrete proof of a threat or "unnecessary militarization". I think the reason the UN didn't back the US invasion of Iraq was because they didn't perceive the "evidence" as solid enough to justify invasion. They were right. As to Mr. Hussein's human rights abuses, when is enough enough? When should the UN step in? If it decided to would it have any resources? Look at Darfor. All tough questions. Nevertheless I think the UN's security council has worked well; not perfect, but what can't be improved? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Purchase from House of Fusion, a Macromedia Authorized Affiliate and support the CF community. http://www.houseoffusion.com/banners/view.cfm?bannerid=38 Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:132017 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
