Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
3. The structural inadequacy of the UN system is reflected in its shortcomings. Unless there are comprehensive reforms to the UN’s structure and democratization in decision-making, the UN’s effectiveness and relevance may decline over time. Critically examine. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
With another year of meetings on reforming the United Nations — and particularly the question of the expansion of the Security Council — coming to a close in June, India lashed out at the U.N. system with its most scathing attack thus far.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various issues with the UN system, its implications and reforms needed in it.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving the role of UN system in maintaining global multilateral order.
Body:
First, write about the various shortcomings in the UN system and how it is the manifestation of the structural adequacy of the UN.
Next, write about the various negative the above-mentioned shortcomings and substantiate them with examples.
Next, write about the measures that can be taken to address the above-mentioned shortcomings.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
