UPSC Mains 2025 · GS II · Q20 · 15 marks · 250 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.

हिन्दी में

“पूर्व और पश्चिम के बीच नाजुक असंतुलन और यू० एस० ए० बनाम रूस-चीनी गठबंधन के बीच उलझन के कारण संयुक्त राष्ट्र में सुधार प्रक्रिया अभी भी अनसुलझी है।” इस संबंध में पूर्व-पश्चिम नीति टकरावों की जाँच और आलोचनात्मक मूल्यांकन कीजिए।

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “"Without reforms, United Nations is facing crisis of confidence". Suggest the reforms that can be taken to make United Nations more relevant to the present-day geopolitical realities.”

Tanmai KhannaAIR 61 · CSE 2022 · 247 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The United Nations has become for the most part a 'toothless tiger' when it comes to managing world conflicts - much like its failed predecessor the League of Nations. It has failed to prevent or dampen many geopolitical conflicts:

Body · points

↳ Ukraine war: Despite Russia's presence in the UNSC P-5 along with western powers, it was not able to prevent the ongoing war or negotiate a ceasefire.

↳ Myanmar coup is ongoing and many dissidents have been killed and yet the UN fails to progress beyond condemnation.

↳ US pullout from Afghanistan without adequate safeguards for the rights of Afghans shows how western powers are never bound by rules such as UN declaration of Human Rights. It is also clear in the failure to keep the Taliban on its promise of not removing women's right to education, freedom.

Clearly, urgent reforms are needed:

↳ Removal of veto system: The P-5 veto system paralyses the institution from doing anything of value.

↳ Enhancing the voice of the global south: The geopolitical situation has transformed significantly since the 1950s. Countries like Brazil, India, South Africa, Germany, Japan must be given stronger roles in the UN security council.

↳ Binding decisions and sanctions for all: Once the UNGA makes a decision, they must ensure its implementation whether it is on first world or third world powers.

Close · a summary

In this geopolitical crisis, the fall of multilateralism has given way to multipolarities. These reforms will prevent the global stage from sinking further into anarchy.

3 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper II, Q20. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.