Deepak Dalal PSIR

PSIR Current affairs daily editorial analysis 18th Dec

PSIR daily current affairs
Deepak Dalal

PSIR Current affairs daily editorial analysis 18th Dec

PSIR daily current affairs 18th December 2025

Topic : UN reforms

Context of the editorial: 80th anniversary of UN

PYQs linkage:

  • Argue a case for U.N. reforms in the context of changing global milieu. 20(2014)
  • Do you endorse that the United Nations needs major changes in its structures and functioning? Suggest the changes for efficient improvements. 15(2016)
  • Do you agree with the view that despite the limitations in the functioning of the UN, it has distinguished and unique achievements to tis credit? 15(2017)
  • Discuss the significance and urgency of the UN security Council reforms. Explain the relevance of the reform proposals made by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for the developing countries. 20(2020)
  • What are the measures undertaken by the United Nations for its reforms? 10(2022)
  • Discuss the structure and functions of UN security Council. 10(2023)
  • “India must strive to become a semi-permanent member of the UNSC, rather than a permanent member with the right to vote.” Comment. 10 (2024)

 

 

Theory application: 

Liberal institutionalism:

  • States (rational actors) cooperate because it is in their interest to do so.
  • States can achieve more by working together than working separately.
  • In areas of mutual interest, states’ desire to make absolute gains usually wins out over concerns about relative gains.

          Neo liberal institutionalism:

  • They acknowledge that the existence of complex interdependence among does not automatically result in the creation of international organizations.
  • Cooperation may be hard to achieve when, despite the existence of common interests, states feel that they have an incentive to defect from an agreement or fear that other states may defect.
  • Key purpose of international organizations to reduce the likelihood of this, by building trust between and amongst states and accustoming them to rule-governed behaviour.

 

Realist:

  • International politics: quest for power amongst all states, reflected in the pursuit of relative gains.
  • There is little scope for the levels of cooperation and trust that would allow international organizations to develop into meaningful and significant bodies.
  • Skeptical about International organization
  • View them as ineffective and question their authority (Trump recent moves denouncing UN efforts such as Paris agreement and WTO dispute redressal arrangements)
  • The growth of international organizations is usually undesirable because of its implications for state’s sovereignty.

 

 

Critical theorists:

Frankfurt school: international bodies have internalized a neoliberal agenda and so act in the interests of global capitalism.

 

Feminists: highlight the gendered construction of international organization of elite men and the internationalization of masculinist ideas and policy approaches.

 

Concepts and keywords:

  • International system, political transitions, structural reforms, functional reforms, conflict resolution, international peace and security, sovereign affairs of states, structured political engagement, sustainable security, multilateral system, geopolitical power.

Important facts:

  • The UNGA, under Article 22, has the authority to establish new subsidiary bodies to carry out its work.

 

Scholar’s views:( Former Foreign secretary)

“Diplomacy, rather than being an ongoing process, has become a form of crisis theatre—activated too late and withdrawn too early. Nirumpama Rao

 

 

Brief analysis and key points from the news or editorial:

 

Need for UN reforms:

  • UNSC still reacts to conflict but no longer sustains peace. (Structurally episodic actions)
  • UN has no dedicated body to maintain political accompaniment once violence slows and mediation efforts fade.
  • Peace keeping missions are seldom equipped with a political strategy.
  • Peacebuiliding Commission lacks the mandate and the authority to engage during active political transitions.

What are the challenges for bringing these reforms?

  • UN reform has been discussed for too long in absolute terms.
  • Either one accepts the system as it is or insists on rewriting it entirely.

Key issues which cannot wait for comprehensive reforms (Waiting for UN reform as a precondition for all institutional innovation is a strategic mistake)

  • Sustaining peace is the key challenge
  • Conflicts endure for years without resolution not only because they are complex but also because the international system abandons political engagement too soon.

Concept of sustainable security:

  • Stability endures when political agreements are gradually legitimized through governance, inclusion and responsible leadership.
  • It respects sovereignty and emerges from negotiated settlements implemented over time rather than imposed solutions.
  • It combines conflict management with long-term political stability by aligning peace efforts with governance, development and regional cooperation.
  • It avoids the intervention risks associated with “preventive security” and reinforces nationally led approaches.

What should be done? (Proposed by Nirupama Rao)

  • Bring Functional reforms (that strengthens the UN’s ability to act now, using powers that already exist under the charter)
  • A ‘Board of Peace and Sustainable Security’ to fill the institutional void that now undermines the conflict resolution.

Benefits of “Board of Peace and Sustainable security”:

  • It would provide structured political engagement during and after conflict, where today the UN presence dissipates.
  • It would reinforce nationally led dialogue, accompany peace agreement implementation, coordinating regional diplomatic initiatives and ensure the peacekeeping operations are tied to achievable political pathways.

Process and structure of the proposed new initiative:

  • Representative body with members from all regions and regional organizations.

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