Page 1 of 16
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 03
March 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 274
Challenges and Problems of Disarmament and
United Nations
Kamaljit Singh Sohi
Department of Political Science,
Govind National College, Narangwal.
Mobile No. 95013-96500
E-Mail:-ksohi10@yahoo.com
Abstract:-
The modern world is confronted not only with the threat of war but the
dread of nuclear war has made the situation worst. The world public opinion demands
the control, if not altogether prohibition of the instruments of war for the survival of
human race. There is not denying the fact that the issue of disarmament is a most
complicated and sensitive issue as it concerns the national security of states. Therefore,
any negotiations dealing with disarmament ought to deal with the challenges and
problems not only of political but also that of economic, social, military, scientific and
technical nature. Various challenges and problems of disarmament are discussed which
are needed to be addressed to achieve the objectives and goals of disarmament
Keywords:- Disarmament, United Nations, Challenges, Problems, Weapons, Security
Undoubtedly the United Nations is much more effective organization
than the previous organizations and its objectives are much wider. During the last 75
years it has played an important role, yet there are many challenges and problems on
the part of United Nations and in the field of achieving disarmament. The main problem
lies on the part of U.N. because it is a non-sovereign body. It can only recommend
disarmament and arms control measures.1
It cannot enforce its decisions or will upon
the member states. It is on the discretion of the nations to comply with the will of the
United Nations or not. The decision that is not considered in their favor by the nations
is not accepted by them.
Page 2 of 16
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 03
March 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 275
The financial problem and the lack of money is another challenge. The
United Nations has to depend upon the member nations particularly the big powers for
any kind of funds and financial assistance. The U.N. has no financial resources of its
own. The United Nations needs money to implement its various programs and to pay
to its administrative staff which is working in almost every nook and corner of the
world. Due to lack of funds the peace-keeping operations are also being influenced
badly. Sometimes the member states deny to pay their part of funds to the United
Nations. In 2011, as a protest over the UN decision to make Palestine the member of
UNESCO, USA and Israel did not pay their part of dues to the UN as a result of which
the UNESCO and the world organization had to face the financial crisis. In 2013, the
United Nations ordered to cut staff and budget under the pressure from USA and some
other rich countries. This was the first instance since the origin of the UN that it had to
take this decision.
Lack of the permanent forces of the U.N. is another problem. Though
the Security Council has the power to use force against the erring states, yet it does not
have its permanent forces. Whenever it is in need of such forces, it has to ask the
member nations to contribute force and many nations under one pretext or the other,
refuse to give forces as a result of which, this power of the Security Council becomes
meaningless.2 Some thinkers argue that it is the time that the UN should own its
permanent military force or a standing army. But due to the lack of funds it is also a
challenge for the United Nations. Many missions and peace-keeping operations have
failed due to shortage of army personnel of the United Nations.
The veto power itself is a problem and challenge for the U.N. The five
permanent members of the Security Council have veto power which means that no
decision in the Security Council can be made without the affirmative vote of these five
permanent members.3 The purpose of giving veto power to five permanent nations was
that it will work on the basis of the principle of collective responsibility but in practice
the Security Council has failed in the achievement of this objective. The veto power is
not used on the basis of merits and demerits of an issue, rather it is used on the basis of
political considerations which is wrong. To minimize the effect of the veto power in
Page 3 of 16
European Journal of Business &
Social Sciences
Available at https://ejbss.org/
ISSN: 2235-767X
Volume 07 Issue 03
March 2019
Available online: https://ejbss.org/ P a g e | 276
1956 ‘Uniting for peace Resolution’ was passed which empowered the General
Assembly to recommend action in case of the failure of the Security Council.
Another Challenge is the domestic jurisdiction of the Nations. Under
article – 2 of the Charter of the United Nations, it is debarred to interfere in the domestic
matters of the member states,4 but what are the domestic matters, it has not been
defined.5 Due to this article the United Nations could not act against many nations that
endangered the world peace and security.
The restructuring of the Security Council is another challenge. In the
Security Council and the other important organs and agencies of the United Nations the
Asian and African nations have been given much less representation in comparison to
the European nations as a result of which it has become an organization of the European
and American Nations. Today, the Asian, African and Latin American nations are
asking for more representation in different organs, particularly the Security Council
whereas the European nations and particularly China and America are not prepared to
surrender their hegemony.
The military alliances during the cold war period also posed a great
challenge and problems for the United Nations and disarmament. The members of the
U.N. have formed so many military alliances like NATO, SEATO, CENTO, and the
Warsaw Pact etc., with the purpose to establish their supremacy in different regions of
the world. These alliances prove lack of faith in the U.N. and lower the prestige of it.6
The lack of impartiality in the UN is another challenge. Most of the
decisions in different organs of the United Nations are taken under the influence of
group politics. The big and powerful nations keep trying for the expansion of their
influence on different countries of the world and they do not pay much attention
towards the merits of the issues.
The non-Cooperative attitude of the member nations is also a challenge.
The member countries of the UN always give preference to their individual interests
and obey only those resolutions which are in consonance to their own interests. Any
resolution which is not according to their interests is not obeyed.7 So the non- cooperative attitude of the member nations is also a major challenge.
