WITH GREATER POWER COMES GREATER RESPONSIBILITY
- The Role and Responsibility of UN and EU: Both the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) hold significant power to promote global stability, peace, and human rights but face increasing scrutiny over their ability to responsibly wield this power.
- Criticisms of Bureaucracy and Inefficiency: Both the UN and EU are often criticized for their bureaucratic processes, inability to execute resolutions effectively, and failure to address major crises such as those in Syria, Palestine, and the Rohingya crisis.
- Need for Inclusivity and Flexibility: International organizations must adopt a more inclusive, participative, and flexible approach to decision-making to overcome challenges related to internal conflicts, geopolitical pressures, and changing global conditions.
“With greater power comes greater responsibility,” echoes through the records serving as a benchmark for those entrusted with leadership. The application of this maxim has often been conducted, as well as fraught with challenges, in the realm of international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU). The UN and EU are two of the world’s most powerful entities, exhibiting powerful potential to safeguard human rights, promote global stability, and uphold democratic values. However, recently, these organizations have faced increasing scrutiny over their ability to wield their power responsibly.
The UN is the world’s foremost intergovernmental organization, possessing colossal power to promote peace, security, and cooperation among nations. As former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan states, “In the 21st century, I believe the mission of the United Nations will be defined by a new, more profound awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion. We need to keep hope alive and strive to do better.” The power dynamics of the UN in its pivotal role in international conflict resolution were highlighted in research by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Similarly, the European Union (EU), with its founding motto of “Unity in Diversity,” mirrors values of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights, and fundamental freedoms, exerting significant influence over the continent and beyond. As Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commission, says, “Alongside the common policies, our basic aim will continue to be the completion of a borderless single market. This is crucial to our prosperity and our role in the world,” depicting the immense transformational power the organization upholds.
Mr. Guterres also addressed the importance of the EU by noting, “We live in an ever more multipolar world, and this calls for enhanced forms of cooperation and multilateral governance, anchored in international law. And the European Union must be an essential pillar of this new global order.” He warned that “we do not have a moment to lose” and emphasized the necessity of cooperating to heal political divisions and restore international trust, emphasizing the EU’s power to bring about change.
Therefore, in many conflicts, the institutions of the UN and EU have collaborated on numerous successful initiatives across various areas and responsibly used their power to change the narratives. In the face of extraordinary challenges, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the bloc’s unwavering dedication to solid collaboration with the UN. She said, “We both know that we can only tackle these through international cooperation, now more than ever. In other words, this means that the world needs the United Nations now more than ever.”
As evidenced by their joint efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which emphasize economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability, the EU has deployed over 160 Election Observation Missions (EOMs) globally since 2000, promoting democratic elections and human rights. The Ukraine-Russia conflict and the efforts the organizations conducted are epitomes of the successful capability of these entities, as well as the European Green Deal and Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which demonstrate the EU and UN’s commitment to addressing global challenges through cooperative action.
The United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) have frequently been criticized for their slow, bureaucratic processes, their inability to execute resolutions, and their susceptibility to the influence of powerful member states. According to 2005 research by the RAND Corporation, the UN has been successful in two out of every three peacekeeping missions. Former President George W. Bush states about the UN’s lack of efforts in maintaining peace, especially for the suffering people. He said that the U.N. “seems very bureaucratic to me, particularly with people suffering.” On the other hand, critics claim that the EU is a neoliberal organization that benefits the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the working class, is excessively bureaucratic and wasteful, elitist, lacks democratic legitimacy and transparency, and promotes high immigration rates.
On May 13, Turkish President Erdoğan declared, “Shame on those in the West who divert their sensitivity to the so-called freedoms, rights, and laws shown in the debate over gay marriage away from Syrian women, children, and innocents in need of aid.” He further continued to say, “Shame on those who don’t show sensitivity … to the women and children who reach out to them for help,” highlighting the major criticism of the EU’s focus. One of the most glaring examples of the struggle with responsibility is the response to the Syrian and Palestinian crises.
Despite the horrific violence and humanitarian disaster in Syria and Palestine, the UN Security Council has been unable to approve any unified approach. As a failure to address Islamophobia, the masses argue that not enough has been done to address the growing issue of Islamophobia within Europe, despite the EU’s condemnation of anti-Muslim hatred and discrimination. The organization’s ineffective response to the Rohingya crisis has also been criticized, with many arguing that more could have been done to prevent the humanitarian crisis. Various other conflicts have been left unattended by these renowned international organizations, which have been criticized for decades.
Furthermore, the difficulties of authority and accountability are not unique to the UN or the EU. Similar challenges have been encountered by other international organizations, including the African Union (AU) and the Organization of American States (OAS). The nature of international cooperation is the issue, not so much the organizations themselves.
Sovereign governments with a range of agendas and interests make up international organizations. Because of this diversity, reaching an agreement and acting decisively may be challenging. Furthermore, these organizations can have complicated power dynamics, with larger, more powerful states frequently ruling over smaller, weaker ones. International organizations must take a more inclusive and participative stance in order to address these issues.
This entails ensuring that the opinions of underrepresented groups are heard, encouraging accountability and openness, and incorporating all member states in decision-making procedures. International organizations also need to be more flexible in response to shifting conditions. Because the world is constantly changing, what was effective in the past might not be applicable now. Organizations that can’t adapt and innovate run the risk of losing their relevance.
To conclude, the saying “with great power comes great responsibility” is still true today. As two of the most influential international organizations in the world, the UN and EU have an obligation to use their clout for the benefit of all people. They must, however, overcome the difficulties of internal conflicts, geopolitical pressures, and the intricacies of international cooperation in order to carry out their duty. By taking a more open, participatory, and flexible stance, the UN and EU can better realize their potential as forces for positive change in the world.
The author is a passionate writer who shapes global narratives. As an enthusiast of English linguistics and literature, she uses her writing to explore diverse perspectives and create compelling stories.
