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UPSC Mains 2025Question 20General Studies 2International Relations250 words

"The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance." Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard. (Answer in 250 words)

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- "The reform process in the United Nations remains unresolved, because of the delicate imbalance of East and West and entanglement of the USA vs. Russo-Chinese alliance." Examine and critically evaluate the East-West policy confrontations in this regard. (Answer in 250 words)
Introduction
Reform of the United Nations (UN)—particularly of the Security Council (United Nations Security Council (UNSC))—has been an enduring global demand aimed at making the institution more representative, democratic, and effective. However, persistent East–West confrontations and power rivalries have kept the reform process unresolved.
Body
1. Nature of East–West Imbalance: The current UN structure reflects post-World War II power realities, dominated by Western powers (USA, UK, France) through permanent UNSC seats. Emerging powers from the Global South, including India, Brazil, and African nations, remain underrepresented.
2. USA vs. Russo-Chinese Alliance:
- The USA and its Western allies favor selective, incremental reforms that preserve their strategic dominance.
- Conversely, Russia and China advocate reforms that curtail Western unilateralism but resist expanding permanent membership, especially to regional rivals like India or Japan.
- This mutual veto dependence within the P5 has stalled consensus on key proposals, including the G4 (India, Japan, Germany, Brazil) initiative for UNSC expansion.
3. Broader Policy Confrontations: The East-West divide extends to issues such as humanitarian intervention (Libya, Syria), climate change commitments, and Ukraine conflict resolutions, each revealing geopolitical polarization that undermines cooperative reform.
4. Implications for Reform: While developing countries demand equitable representation and transparency, entrenched power politics prevent structural change, eroding the UN’s credibility in addressing contemporary global challenges.
Conclusion
The UN reform impasse reflects the continuing struggle between Western dominance and Eastern resistance, where geopolitical rivalries overshadow institutional modernization. Genuine reform requires a multipolar consensus that transcends Cold War legacies and prioritizes collective global governance.
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