Short Answer Questions

Question 1

Why did world leaders decide to set up a world organisation to maintain peace?

Answer

The world leaders decided to set up a world organisation to maintain peace for the
following reasons-

The destruction caused by the two World Wars.

The failure of the League of Nations to prevent wars and maintain peace.
The fear of a Third World War.
The division of the world into two power blocs led by the US and the USSR,
respectively.
The invention of weapons of mass destruction like the atom bomb.
Question 2

When was the name "The United Nations" used for the first time? Where was the UN
established?

Answer

The name "The United Nations" was used for the first time on January 1, 1942.

The United Nations was established in New York, USA.

Question 3

State the most important reason for the formation of the UN. Which day is
celebrated as the UN Day every year?

Answer

The most important reason for the formation of United Nations is to maintain
international peace and security, protect human rights, deliver humanitarian aid,
promote sustainable development and uphold international law.

October 24 is celebrated every year throughout the world as the United Nations Day.

Question 4

Where are the headquarters of the UN? Who can become the member of the UN?

Answer

The headquarters of the UN are based in New York, USA.

Membership of the UN is open to all peace-loving nations who believe in the

principles of the UN and accept the obligations of the UN Charter.

Question 5

Who appoints the Secretary-General of the UN? Who is the present Secretary-General
of the UN?

Answer
The General Assembly appoints the Secretary-General of the UN on the recommendation
of the Security Council.

António Guterres is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Question 6

Name the principal organs of the United Nations.

Answer

The principal organs of the United Nations are-

The General Assembly

The Security Council
The International Court of Justice
The Economic and Social Council
The Trusteeship Council
The Secretariat
Question 7

What can the General Assembly do if the Security Council fails to act in a case
where there appears to be a threat to peace?

Answer

Under the "Uniting for Peace" resolution adopted by the General Assembly in
November 1950, the Assembly may take action if the Security Council, because of a
lack of unanimity of its permanent members, fails to act in a case where there
appears to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression.

The Assembly is empowered to consider the matter immediately with a view to making
recommendations to members for collective measures, including the use of armed
force.

Question 8

Name the permanent members of the Security Council.

Answer

The Security Council has five permanent members —

China
France
Russia
Britain
The United States of America
Question 9

What is meant by 'Veto Power'?

Answer

Each member of the Security Council has one vote. Decisions on procedural matters
are made by an affirmative vote of nine members, including the concurring votes of
all five permanent members. The negative vote of a permanent member is called a
veto. The Council is powerless to act if any of the five permanent members uses the
veto power. However abstinence from voting does not amount to a negative vote or
veto.

Question 10

Where is the permanent headquarters of the International Court of Justice located?

What is the composition of the International Court of Justice?

Answer

The permanent headquarters of the International Court of Justice is located at The

Hague (Netherlands).

The Court is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the

United Nations General Assembly and Security Council sitting independently of each
other. It may not include more than one judge from any nationality. Elections are
held every three years for one-third of the seats, and retiring judges may be re-
elected.

The Court elects its President and Vice-President for a three-year term. They may,
when their term expires, be re-elected. The Court has the power to appoint its
Registrar.

Structured Questions

Question 1

The United Nations Organisation was established to maintain peace and promote
social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. With reference to
this, explain the following:

(a) The composition of the Security Council.

(b) The functions of the Security Council related to maintaining world peace.

(c) The role of UNESCO in the development of Science and Technology.

Answer

(a) The Security Council consists of 15 members.

It has five permanent members —

China
France
Russia
Britain
The United States of America
The regional representation of the ten non-permanent members is:
Afro-Asian countries — 5
Latin American countries — 2
West European and other countries — 2
East European countries — 1.
The ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly by a two-third
majority for a term of two years.
A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election.
The Presidency of the Council rotates monthly, according to the English
alphabetical listing of its member States.
(b) The functions of the Security Council related to maintaining world peace are as
follows:
To maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and
purposes of the United Nations.
To investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction
and to take military action against an aggressor.
To recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement.
To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments.
To determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to
recommend what action should be taken.
To call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the
use of force to prevent or stop aggression.
To take military action against an aggressor.
(c) The scientific activities undertaken by the UNESCO are:

UNESCO organises seminars and conferences of scientists of various countries and

circulates information through journals, press and exhibitions. Courier' is the
official monthly magazine of UNESCO. Its Hindi and Tamil editions are available in
India.
It promotes basic research in fields like Geology, Mathematics, Physics and
Oceanography. As a result, it finances engineering and technology schemes in a
number of developing countries.
It helps in correcting the imbalance in scientific and technological manpower that
exists, because 90% of trained manpower is concentrated in the industrialised
countries.
It encourages the study of social sciences in order to focus attention on combating
all forms of discrimination, improving the status of women and helping the youth in
solving their problems.
Question 2

With reference to the functioning of the United Nations, briefly answer the
following:

(a) State the objectives of the UN.

(b) Mention the principles of the UN for its members.

(c) State any four functions of the UN.

Answer

(a) The objectives of the United Nations are as follows-

To maintain international peace and security, to take collective measures for the
prevention and removal of threats to peace, to suppress acts of aggression or other
breaches of peace.
To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of
equal rights and self-determination of people.
To achieve international cooperation in solving international economic, social,
cultural, or humanitarian problems and encouraging respect for human rights and for
fundamental freedoms.
To be a centre for harmonising the actions of nations in the attainment of these
common ends.
Disarm, decolonise and develop are the three new objectives set by the UN.
(b) In order to fulfil the purposes for which UNO was established, the members
shall act in accordance with the following principles:

To respect the sovereign equality of all its members.

All members should fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed by them.
They should settle their international disputes by peaceful means.
They would refrain from the threat or use of force against any State.
They should give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes.
The Organisation should ensure that States which are not members of the United
Nations act in accordance with these principles.
The United Nations shall not intervene in the domestic, i.e., internal affairs of
any State.
(c) Four functions of the United Nations are as follows-

Maintain international peace and security.

Protect human rights and deliver humanitarian aid.
Support sustainable development and climate action.
Uphold international law.
Question 3

With reference to the General Assembly, explain the following:

(a) Composition of the General Assembly.

(b) Its role in the promotion of international cooperation.

(c) Any four of its functions.

Answer

(a) All members of the United Nations are members of the General Assembly.

Each State has five representatives in the General Assembly, but each State has one
vote.
At the start of each regular session, the Assembly elects a new President, 21 Vice-
Presidents and the Chairmen of the Assembly's six Main Committees.
To ensure equitable geographical representation, the presidency of the Assembly
rotates each year among five groups of States: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin
America and Caribbean, and Western Europe and other States.
Decisions on important matters are made by a two-third majority.
These matters include: the election of the non-permanent members of the Security
Council, admission of new members, the suspension or expulsion of members,
budgetary issues, etc.
Decisions on other questions are made by a majority of members present and voting.
(b) The role of the General Assembly in the promotion of international cooperation
are as follows-

To consider and make recommendations on the principles of cooperation, in the

maintenance of international peace and security.
To discuss any question relating to international peace and security and to make
recommendations on it.
To initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political,
social, and economic cooperation.
To make recommendations for the peaceful settlement of disputes.
(c) Four functions of the General Assembly are as follows-

To receive and consider reports from the Security Council and other organs of the
United Nations.
To consider and approve the budget of the United Nations and to apportion the
contributions among members.
To elect the non-permanent members of the Security Council, the Economic and Social
Council and the Trusteeship Council, and to elect the judges of the International
Court of Justice.
To appoint the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council.
Question 4
The Security Council is the most important and effective organ of the UN. In this
context describe:

(a) Composition of the Security Council.

(b) Veto power.

(c) Four of its functions.

Answer

(a) The Security Council consists of 15 members.

It has five permanent members —

China
France
Russia
Britain
The United States of America
The regional representation of the ten non-permanent members is:
Afro-Asian countries — 5
Latin American countries — 2
West European and other countries — 2
East European countries — 1.
The ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly by a two-third
majority for a term of two years.
A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election.
The Presidency of the Council rotates monthly, according to the English
alphabetical listing of its member States.
(b) The negative vote of a permanent member is called a veto. The Council is
powerless to act if any of the five permanent members uses the veto power. However
abstinence from voting does not amount to a negative vote or veto.

(c) Four functions of the Security Council are as follows:

To maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and
purposes of the United Nations.
To investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction
and to take military action against an aggressor.
To recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement.
To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments.
Question 5

With reference to the International Court of Justice, explain the following:

(a) Its Composition.

(b) Its Compulsory Jurisdiction.

(c) Its Advisory Jurisdiction.

Answer

(a) Composition of the International Court of Justice is as follows:

It is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the United

Nations General Assembly and Security Council sitting independently of each other.
It may not include more than one judge from any nationality.
Elections are held every three years for one-third of the seats, and retiring
judges may be re-elected.
The Court elects its President and Vice-President for a three-year term. They may,
when their term expires, be re-elected.
The Court has the power to appoint its Registrar.
(b) The International Court of Justice has compulsory Jurisdiction in the following
areas:

Against the background that a large number of treaties provide that disputes are
submitted to the Court.
Disputes pertaining to the interpretation of international law.
Reparation, i.e., compensation to be made for the breach of an international
obligation.
(c) The advisory procedure of the International Court of Justice is open solely to
international organisations.

The only bodies at present authorised to request advisory opinions of the Court are
five organs of the United Nations and 16 specialised agencies of the United Nations
family.
Since 1946 the Court has given 24 Advisory Opinions, concerning reparation for
injuries suffered in the service of the United Nations, territorial status of
South-West Africa and Western Sahara, etc.
Picture Study

Question 1

Study the given picture and answer the questions:

(a) Identify the Organisation associated with the emblem. Mention any three
principles of this organisation.

(b) Where is the headquarters of this organisation located? Which is the main
deliberative organ of the UN? State any three of its functions.

(c) Name the principal judicial organ of this organisation and explain its
composition.

Answer

(a) The picture shows the emblem of United Nations Organisation.

Three principles of this organisation for its Member States are as follows-

To respect the sovereign equality of all its members.

All members should fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed by them.
They should settle their international disputes by peaceful means.
(b) The headquarters of this organisation is located at New York City, USA.

The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative

organ of the UN. Three functions of the General Assembly are as follows-

To consider and make recommendations on the principles of cooperation, in the

maintenance of international peace and security.
To discuss any question relating to international peace and security and to make
recommendations on it.
To initiate studies and make recommendations to promote international political,
social, and economic cooperation.
(c) The principal judicial organ of United Nations Organisation is the
International Court of Justice. It's composition is as follows:
It is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office by the United
Nations General Assembly and Security Council sitting independently of each other.
It may not include more than one judge from any nationality.
Elections are held every three years for one-third of the seats, and retiring
judges may be re-elected.
The Court elects its President and Vice-President for a three-year term. They may,
when their term expires, be re-elected.
The Court has the power to appoint its Registrar.