Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
3. Critically examine the relevance of the United Nations (UN) in today’s world of conflicts and global challenges. In light of the shortcomings in the UN’s structure and decision-making processes, suggest alternative platforms for global governance that can effectively address various global issues. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India
Why the question:
The article argues that the United Nations (UN) has become irrelevant in today’s world of conflicts and global challenges. It suggests that the UN’s structure and decision-making processes are flawed and do not reflect the realities of the 21st century.
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.
