After World War II, the United Nations was founded with 51 members, and today it boasts 193 member countries whose representatives meet at UN headquarters in New York City. It was formed to provide a forum to promote cooperation among nations and settle disputes between them.

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United Nations assembly hall

The UN has provided a place for discussion that has led to opportunities for better communication among nations. It has had a definite role in maintaining an unstable peace in the world since 1945 but with mixed success. Its own organizational structure has hindered its potential to achieve this objective.

All members of the UN belong to the General Assembly, but 15 members make up the Security Council, which is the most powerful body of the organization.

The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties that are having a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security. The United States, Russia, UK, France, and China have permanent seats on this council of 15 members. The other 10 members are elected by the UN General Assembly for a term of two years.

How does the United Nations promote internationalism?

No organization is perfect. But the United Nations is the only international organization we have that brings together representatives from 193 countries to discuss and try to resolve the world's problems. The UN, through its many partnerships, works to bring education, health care, peace, and financial aid to countries and people around the globe who need help.

The UN encourages internationalism through the creation of a global forum to discuss and potentially solve international problems. All the nations who are members of the UN are members of the General Assembly, thus they are allowed to bring forward different topics that are affecting their country or nation in hopes that other nations may aid in solving the problem. The UN encourages the formation of treaties that will boost international cooperation and peace. Therefore, the UN is as valuable as the people willing to support it.

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