As the dust settles

I am reminded of the United Nation saga, formed soon after the second world war based on the balance of power at the time: USA, USSR, UK, France and China became permanent members of the UN with veto powers. However the balance of power dramatically shifted during the Cold War era: Japan and Germany emerged as ‘economic superpowers’; UK and France became more ‘ordinary powers’; new power areas appeared, like Asia-Pacific. The Cold War competition curtailed the need for structural change, yet with the end of the Cold War, the new ‘actors’ demanded more rights in the UN system. The 5-big have resisted the reform calls in the 1990s. However the Iraq War clearly showed that the current UN System cannot provide dialogue and co-operation between the big economic, military and political great powers. In another word, the UN cannot properly play a balancing role. The US will resist and bargain will possibly last more. However a UN reform is a matter of time. Japan, Germany and some more states will receive the seats they seek.

Sound familiar? ok well maybe not exactly but it makes for a dramatic entry :) Back to the UN. The veto power needs to be removed. Why is there a veto power granted to each of the 5 permanent members? Who died and made them the umpires on this playing field we so fondly call mother earth? At one point in human history, the veto power was needed due to the instability of man. The world was at war. Some powers that be may be somewhat more responsible than others. That was then. This is now. When USA was going to invade Afghanistan, everyone agreed? disagreed? They all had the veto power. Would it have done any good? The US went ahead anyway...yes that is definitely showing all other countries how to do it....lead by example.

But i digress. Back to my last point. Lead by example. This is about the most difficult thing on this planet to accomplish. I'll continue tomorrow but leave you with this thought. Never take the voice of the people for granted and never ever underestimate them.