Saturday, 7 Jun 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > A United Nations with authority: FDR’s vision
World

A United Nations with authority: FDR’s vision

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
A United Nations with authority: FDR’s vision
SHARE
James W. Pfister

James W. Pfister

As President Franklin D. Roosevelt was dealing with the failures of the League of Nations during World War II, he already had in mind a comprehensive world organization to follow the war. He named Leo Pasvolsky to work behind the scenes to develop what would be known as the United Nations.

Roosevelt was aware of power realities; he wanted the United States to be “’the great bastion’ of an armed security system ‘while the forge of war was still hot enough to fuse the nations together’.” (Anne O’Hare McCormick, cited in Stephen C. Schlesinger, “Act of Creation,” 2003, 72). He said he would go to the San Francisco Conference on the United Nations and appear on stage in his wheelchair to give a speech, and to consider resigning from the presidency when the war was over to become the first Secretary-General of the United Nations. (Schlesinger, Ibid). Just 13 days before the conference, Roosevelt died.

Roosevelt wanted the United Nations to be an organization with vertical authority under its Security Council. He spoke of the “four policemen” of the world: the United States, Britain, Soviet Union and China. He stated: “There can be no middle ground here. We shall have to take responsibility for world collaboration here, or we shall have to bear the responsibility for another world conflict.” (Ibid, 64). France was added which then made up the five permanent members of the Security Council with the veto. Unlike the League, these five were the only nations with the veto, thus, a hierarchy, and an invasion of sovereignty.

Vertical authority is found in Chapter VII of the Charter, especially in Articles 39, 40, 41, and 42. Article 39 gives the Security Council the power and obligation to make a finding on what happened and to decide on a course of action. For example, when Iraq attacked Kuwait on Aug. 2, 1990, the Security Council passed Resolution 660 on the same day condemning the attack (i.e., not buying any of Iraq’s justifications), demanding Iraq withdraw, and called upon them to negotiate, acting under Articles 39 and 40 (the “call upon” article).

Article 41 is the power to decide on measures not involving the use of force, such as interruption of economic or communication relations. In the Iraq case, the Security Council passed resolution 661, which decided that all states shall prevent importation into their territories of products from Iraq or Kuwait.

Article 42 is the use of force provision, where the Security Council can itself use force if it has forces organized under Articles 43-47 (which have not been developed), ”peace-keeping forces,” or it can authorize nations to use force. For example, in the Iraq case, on Nov. 29, 1990, the Security Council passed resolution 678 under its power in Article 42 to authorize “… member states cooperating with the Government of Kuwait … to use all necessary means to uphold and implement Security Council Resolution 660 and all subsequent relevant resolutions and to restore international peace and security to the area.” The vote was 12-2, Cuba and Yemen opposed, China abstained (an abstention is not a veto).

Regarding vertical authority, a supremacy clause is found in Article 48(1): “The action required to carry out the decisions of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security shall be taken by all Members of the United Nations or by some of them, as the Security Council may determine.” Article 25 states: “The Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the present Charter.”

Because of the veto in the five permanent members, consent is required among them for any enforcement action. And the Security Council cannot be used against them when they veto. What about the present case of a permanent member, Russia, attacking Ukraine? The answer is Article 51 individual and collective self-defense, a codification of the natural-law right of self-defense, a risk when used, as today, vis-à-vis a nuclear power. We have the constitutional architecture in the Charter; now, we need the statesmanship and political will.

James W. Pfister, J.D. University of Toledo, Ph.D. University of Michigan (political science), retired after 46 years in the Political Science Department at Eastern Michigan University. He lives at Devils Lake and can be reached at jpfister@emich.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: James Pfister: A United Nations with authority: FDR’s vision

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Top Pakistan court hears arguments in major political crisis Top Pakistan court hears arguments in major political crisis
Next Article Pakistan Live Updates: Supreme Court Will Rule on Vote Against Prime Minister Pakistan Live Updates: Supreme Court Will Rule on Vote Against Prime Minister

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Jennifer Lopez opens up about panic attack brought on by exhaustion: ‘I was so terrified I thought I was losing my mind’

Jennifer Lopez is getting real about an underrated beauty secret: sleep.In an excerpt from the…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Paul Bettany says having texts included in Johnny Depp’s court case was ‘a very surreal moment’

Despite his work in projects like WandaVision and A Beautiful Mind, Paul Bettany normally stays…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Bassam Tariq Out as Marvel’s ‘Blade’ Director Two Months Before Production

Director Bassam Tariq is no longer attached to director Marvel’s “Blade” revamp about the iconic…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Russians inspired by example of Chechnya, want to create fighter training centres across country

Yury Trutnev, Russian Deputy Prime Minister, and Sergey Kiriyenko, the First Deputy Head of the…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Federal prosecutor reportedly give up over concern Ábrego García indictment was politically motivated – US politics stay
World

Federal prosecutor reportedly give up over concern Ábrego García indictment was politically motivated – US politics stay

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Labour byelection win exhibits ‘SNP’s balloon has burst’, says Anas Sarwar
World

Labour byelection win exhibits ‘SNP’s balloon has burst’, says Anas Sarwar

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
College of Michigan utilizing undercover investigators to surveil pupil Gaza protesters
World

College of Michigan utilizing undercover investigators to surveil pupil Gaza protesters

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Endangered sharks being killed at alarming ranges in Pacific, Greenpeace claims, after reducing 20km of vessel’s longline
World

Endangered sharks being killed at alarming ranges in Pacific, Greenpeace claims, after reducing 20km of vessel’s longline

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?