Omitted Proofs

resettlement and refugees, as well as a range of political, psychological and economic techniques of intimidation. (Baylis & Smith).

Such conflicts can be critically problematic for the international community as to whether to intervene in the domestic affairs of a sovereign state to safeguard minority rights and individual human rights protect democracies and address global inequalities. This dilemma reflects the historic transformation of human society which is taking place at the beginning of the twenty first century. Although states continue to limp along, it is now increasingly necessary to think of the security of individuals and of the groups within the emergent global society. This is not reflected by the traditional focus of national or state security and sovereignty. What is needed according to the Globalist school of thought is a new polities of global responsibility. Thinking in such globalist terms will lead to more effective action, including intervention where necessary to deal with the risks to security which exist in the world community at present.

The globalist approach to security has been referred to by Anthony Giddens (1990) as "utopian Realism". This view holds that it is realistic to envisage the radical transformation of the international polities, as we have known it in the past.

Indeed, such a transformation, it is argued, is already taking place. Given the trend towards globalization, it is realistic to envisage the expansion of the regional security community. At the root of such a vision, it is a process of

Self - Assessment Exercise

Q1 From what you have learnt, what are the major Realist assumptions about international politics as accepted by Social Constructionists?

Q2. Why is Realism viewed as a statist ideology and a dangerous discourse?

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Possible Answers

Q1 Answer found in 3.1 Q2 Answer found in 3.2.3.

4.0 CONCLUSION

From the foregoing, the course has shown that the traditional view of the state as the center of international security thinking is shifting to a more globalist view.

The reason being that the state system and "its self-help" orientation is failing to deliver the individual and the groups embedded in it from insecurity. The failure of statehood is giving way to globalism. Globalist view of security is thought to b a more realistic and effective way of thinking about international relations and not in state-centric terms.

5.0 SUMMARY

There are three main alternative views of international and global security. First is the "Social constructivist" theory. This thinkers base their arguments on two main assumptions (1) That the fundamental structures of international politics are socially constructed; and (2) that changing the way we think about international relations can help to bring about greater international security social constructivists can be pessimistic or optimistic, about changing international relations, and achieving international security.

The second, alternative view of international and global security is the critical security studies. This has three segments to it. The critical theory and emancipation - critical security theorists argue that too much emphasis is given by most approaches to the state, while neglecting approaches relevant to the emancipation of the individual. (2) Feminist approaches - Writers argue that gender tends to be left out of the literature on international security, despite the impact of war on women and children. (3) Post-modernists - They emphasize the importance of ideas and discourse in thinking about international security. They aim to replace the discourse of Realism with a "communities and the development of a growing consensus on norms and beliefs”. These are disputes about whether globalization will contribute to the weakening of the state, or simply to its transformation, or over whether a global society can be created which will user in a new period of peace and security.

6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT

Q1 What do social constructivists mean by "structure"?

Q2 How do constructivist critical security theory differ from the feminist views about international security?

Q3 Has increasing globalization brought more or less global security?

Q4 What will be the role of "gender" in the study of security?

Each answer carries _21/2 marks. The total score is 10 marks

7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING

Barry Buzan_z People, State and Fear (London, Harvester, 1983) Shaw Martin Global Society and International Relations 1994

Baylis John E. Steve Smith The Globalization of World Politics (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2006).

J.C. Garnett, "The Causes of War and the Conditions of Peace", in J. Baylis, J.

Witz, E. Cohen, and C.S. Gray (eds), Strategy in the Contemporary World (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002)

N. J. Rengger, International Relations, Political Theory and the Problem of Order:

Beyond International Relations Theory? (London: Routledge, 2000)

Michael, Joseph Smith, Realist Thought from Weber to Kissinger (Baton Rouge:

Louisiana State University Press, 1986)

Wendt, Alexander "Anarchy is What State Make of it: The Social Construction of Power Politics" International Organization, Vol. 46, No 2. (1992).

MODULE 5

UNIT 3 THE UNITED NATIONS: POLITICAL AND SECURITY ISSUES

CONTENT

1.0 Introduction 2.0 Objective 3.0 Main Body

3.1 Political Issues 3.2 Security Issues

3.2.1 Armed forces for the United Nations 3.2.2 Disarmament and Arms Control 3.2.3 Control of Atomic Energy

3.2.4 UN Agenda for Peace 3.3 An Appraisal

4.0 Conclusion 5.0 Summary

6.0 Tutor – Marked Assignment 7.0 References/Further Reading

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The United Nations has been charged with vast responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security. According to Article I of the Charter, it is expected "to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by lawful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace." The procedures available for the discharge of these stupendous obligations arc laid down in the Charter in elaborate detail, particularly in Articles 33-51. The chief responsibility rests with the Security Council, but the General Assembly has played an increasingly significant role in this field.

INR 232 Introduction to Foreign Policy

The UN also has great responsibilities in dealing with what are called "security problems. These relate not to one state's charges of aggression or other misconduct against another state but to the UN's obligation to promote conditions of general security so that breaches of the peace by any state will become less likely, and so that effective sanctions can be invoked if breaches do occur. More particularly, its responsibilities pertain to the performances of three specifically as signed security duties: (1) the placing of military forces at its disposal, (2) the regulation of armaments, and (3) the international control of atomic energy. We shall examine in the next segment the UN's record in the handling of both political and security problems

2.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this unit is to look at the changing role of the UN in addressing maters of peace and security. As it also focuses on how the UN's role has evolved in response to changes in the global political context, and on the problem it still faces. And then the appraisal. These are discussed here for the student to gain an insight of the state of the world government - the United Nations.

3.0 MAIN BODY