The United Nations is the most prominent intergovernmental organization in the world. It was established on October 24, 1945, as a successor to the failed League of Nations, with the primary aim of preventing future world wars.
The UN operates through six main bodies, each with distinct functions:
The world of 2026 is very different from 1945. There is growing pressure to reform the UN, especially the Security Council.
Created in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference, these two institutions manage the global financial and economic order.
| Feature | International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Monetary Stability & Exchange Rates | Development & Poverty Reduction |
| Role | Acts as a "Global Central Bank" to help countries in financial crisis. | Provides long-term loans for infrastructure, health, and education. |
| Lending | Short-term loans for Balance of Payments problems. | Long-term loans for development projects. |
Both institutions are often criticized for their "Conditionality"—forcing poor countries to adopt specific economic policies (like privatization) in exchange for loans, often harming the poor.
Q: What is the Veto Power?
A: It is the power of a permanent member of the UNSC to stop any resolution from passing, even if all other 14 members agree with it.
Q: Why is the UN considered weak by some?
A: Because it lacks its own army and depends on member states for funding and troops. It also cannot interfere in the "internal affairs" of a sovereign state easily.
End of Unit 4 Notes | Prepared for DSC 354 | Knowlet