Reform of the United Nations Security Council: A Comparative Study
Author
Stagstrup, Kathrine Holmgaard
Term
4. term
Publication year
2023
Pages
50
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger, om reformerfaringer fra FN’s Økonomiske og Sociale Råd (ECOSOC) kan tilbyde brugbare perspektiver til at bryde dødvandet i reformen af FN’s Sikkerhedsråd (UNSC). Med et komparativt casestudie (UNSC som Case I og ECOSOC som Case II) analyseres officielle FN-dokumenter, herunder mødeprotokoller fra Generalforsamlingen, resolutioner og breve fra Intergovernmental Negotiations, ved hjælp af teorier om legitimitet og effektivitet, international relations-teori (neorealisme og neoliberalisme) samt Ernst B. Haas’ tre modeller for ændring i internationale organisationer (inkrementel vækst, turbulent ikke-vækst og styret indbyrdes afhængighed). Analysen er struktureret af “What-is-the-problem-represented-to-be”-tilgangen. Resultaterne viser, at ECOSOC’s reformprocesser udviser mønstre af inkrementel vækst og styret indbyrdes afhængighed, mens UNSC præges af turbulent ikke-vækst. På trods af visse ligheder mellem organisationerne korrelerer processerne ikke, hvilket begrænser direkte overførbarhed af ECOSOC’s erfaringer til UNSC. Datasættet dækker primært perioderne 2005–2006 og 2015–2016, og landenes positioner kan have ændret sig siden. Afhandlingen peger dog på, at komparative studier af reform i andre internationale organisationer kan bidrage med nyttige indsigter i arbejdet med at adressere reformdødvandet i Sikkerhedsrådet.
This thesis investigates whether reform experiences from the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) can provide useful perspectives for overcoming the gridlock in reforming the UN Security Council (UNSC). Using a comparative case study design (UNSC as Case I and ECOSOC as Case II), it analyzes official UN sources—General Assembly records, resolutions, and letters from the Intergovernmental Negotiations—through theories of legitimacy and effectiveness, international relations (neorealism and neoliberalism), and Ernst B. Haas’s three models of change in international organizations (incremental growth, turbulent non-growth, and managed interdependence). The analysis is guided by the “What-is-the-problem-represented-to-be” approach. Findings indicate that ECOSOC’s reform processes reflect incremental growth and managed interdependence, whereas the UNSC exhibits patterns of turbulent non-growth. Despite some organizational similarities, the processes do not correlate, limiting the direct transferability of ECOSOC’s lessons to UNSC reform. The data focuses on 2005–2006 and 2015–2016, and state positions may have evolved. Nonetheless, the thesis argues that comparative studies of reform in other international organizations can offer valuable insights for addressing the Security Council’s reform stalemate.
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