UN Security Council Reform: Who should be the Permanent Members and have the vetoe?

[Alexander's Horse]

This is an issue that has been around for while.

The current permanent members of the UN Security Council are basically the victorious allies of World War II - US, Russia, France, Britain and China.

Its argued from time to time that this group does not represent global realities - Japan and Germany, who lost the war, are not permanent members but very powerful countries. Japan has the second largest economy in the world. Germany is the dominant economy in Europe. Both are member of the G8 (along with Canada).

Arguments are also made for countries like India and Brazil on the basis of regional balance - South Africa or Nigeria have been mentioned in this regard.

There are 2 basic approaches to reform - kick some countries off (difficult) or add some (less difficult but still hard). You could argue Europe should only have one seat - for the EU.

I'm sure we can settle this here

[KrazyHorse]

No permanent seats, no vetoes.

[TheStinger]

we will veto any attempt to remove our veto

[MikeH]

[Alexander's Horse]

If you remove the vetoe, the whole thing stops working. That was the price of getting the great powers in.

[KrazyHorse]

Veto.

No "e"

Vetoes

With an "e"

[Richelieu]

Originally posted by Frogger
Veto.

No "e"

Vetoes

With an "e"

Veto Votes ? Voting to veto ? Vetoing a vote ?

[KrazyHorse]

Yes.

[Alexander's Horse]

The vetoe is really a question for another thread. And its not seriously debated.

But permanent membership is a live issue and will become more so if the permanent members divide over Iraq.

[aaglo]

There should be one country from each continent. Or should there?

[TheStinger]

I believe the permanent members consist of those with the most nukes/aircraft carriers. Which is of course an entirley fair way of distributing power

[Urban Ranger]

Kick the Brits off. Add a country from South America. Perhaps one from Africa.

[Alexander's Horse]

Originally posted by aaglo
There should be one country from each continent. Or should there?

Its one approach that has been suggested.

But then Australia gets a seat and that would look slightly ridiculous

[TheStinger]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Kick the Brits off. Add a country from South America. Perhaps one from Africa.

Depending on how you measure these things we are the 2nd richest country of the five, we have links with more countries than any other member and we aren't French so we should stay.

[Alexander's Horse]

Only if you ask nicely.