The United Nations emerged from World War II to provide an international framework for increasing political and economic cooperation among member countries. It has evolved into a novel governing body that proposes behavioral standards for its members, forms coalitions to maintain peace, and occasionally engages in coercive action against states it considers the source of a threat. It has been subject to the pressures of globalization, the changing nature of state systems, Cold War tensions, and decolonization. It has brought new issues to the world’s attention, such as environmental protection and women’s rights; shaped treaty law; facilitated the development of civil society organizations; and, at times, been involved in resolving internal armed conflicts and providing humanitarian relief.
Headquartered in New York City, the UN has 193 member states and five principal components: the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council and International Court of Justice. Its activities extend to all parts of the globe.
The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the Charter, for the maintenance of international peace and security. It consists of five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the U.K. and the United States—and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. Each member has one vote, and decisions are made by a majority of votes.
The Security Council may, in the case of a threat to international peace or an act of aggression, decide upon methods of adjustment or of settlement and, if necessary, may authorize the use of force in accordance with the provisions of the Charter. This power of the Council is called the veto.