The Problem With the UN Veto Power | NowThis World

The permanent 5 members of the UN Security Council have a unique power. It's their right to veto. But how has it's implementation failed to address humanitarian crises around the world?
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Though even the United Nation's fiercest critics admit the UN has done a lot of good around the world, the United Nations has also been accused of being complicit in corruption, tangled in bureaucracy, and increasingly reactive rather than proactive in addressing the world's crises.

It's also been accused of failing to act to prevent genocides in places including Rwanda in 1994, Bosnia in 1995, and Darfur, Sudan in the early 2000s.

Some have even called the United Nations Security Council permanent 5 void of power and totally powerless.

But there are certain countries in the UN (United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France, China) that get to exercise real power. We're talking about the UN Security Council's Permanent 5 members or P5. They all have what's known as the right to veto.

And while some permanent members, like France and the UK, are more open to expansion, Russia, China and the U.S. have been more cautious or directly opposed.

It would take a whole lot of support to modify the UN Charter, and to get all five P5 members to agree at the same time to restrict their own power.

But despite of all its flaws, experts generally agree: the UN creates a vital space for diplomacy, mediation, and maintaining international peace.

It has indisputably helped save lives, lifted people out of poverty and starvation and maintained global order.

So we're going to break down what is veto power, how the P5 got this power.

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NowThis World is dedicated to bringing you topical explainers about the world around you. Each week we’ll be exploring current stories in international news, by examining the facts, providing historical context, and outlining the key players involved. We’ll also highlight powerful countries, ideologies, influential leaders, and ongoing global conflicts that are shaping the current landscape of the international community across the globe today.

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