State six weaknesses of the United Nations Organization (UNO)

Answer Details

The United Nations Organisation (UNO), established in 1945 to maintain international peace and cooperation, suffers from several weaknesses. These include the following.

1. The veto power: Any one of the five permanent members of the Security Council (USA, Russia, China, Britain and France) can veto a decision, thereby frustrating the will of the majority and paralysing action.
2. Lack of a standing army: The UN has no permanent army of its own and depends on member states to contribute troops, which weakens its ability to enforce its decisions promptly.
3. Financial dependence: It relies on the contributions of member states, and the failure or reluctance of members to pay their dues leaves it perpetually short of funds.
4. Domination by powerful states: The organisation is often controlled and manipulated by the big and wealthy powers to serve their own interests, at the expense of weaker nations.
5. Lack of coercive/enforcement power over sovereign states: It cannot compel sovereign states to obey its resolutions, so many resolutions are simply ignored.
6. Inability to prevent all wars: Despite its aims, it has failed to prevent many wars and conflicts around the world, exposing the limits of its peace-keeping role.