Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The United Nations General Assembly (GA), established under the UN Charter, serves as the primary deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN, comprising all 193 Member States. Each state has one vote, reflecting its universality. While often metaphorically referred to as a 'world parliament' due to its inclusive nature and discussion of global issues, this comparison is fundamentally flawed. The GA's structure, mandate, and particularly the nature of its decisions significantly limit its power and efficacy, preventing it from functioning as a true legislative body with binding authority over sovereign states. This analysis critically examines these limitations.
Limitations of the UN General Assembly
While the UN General Assembly possesses significant functions, several key limitations prevent it from being considered a 'World Parliament':- Non-Binding Nature of Resolutions: Unlike national parliaments that enact binding laws, the vast majority of GA resolutions are recommendatory in nature. They reflect world opinion but do not carry legal force for Member States, except for internal UN matters like budget approval and procedural decisions. This contrasts sharply with domestic legislative power.
- Limited Scope under Article 12: UN Charter Article 12 stipulates that the GA shall not make any recommendation regarding a dispute or situation while the Security Council is actively exercising its functions concerning that issue. This significantly restricts the GA's ability to act decisively on major peace and security matters where the Security Council is seized.
- Lack of Enforcement Mechanism: The GA does not possess its own independent enforcement machinery. Compliance with its recommendations relies heavily on the political will and cooperation of sovereign Member States, which is often lacking, especially when recommendations conflict with national interests.
- Absence of True Legislative Power: National parliaments create laws applicable within their jurisdiction. The GA, operating in an international system based on state sovereignty, cannot legislate in a similar manner. Its role is primarily consultative, deliberative, and coordinative.
- Influence of Power Politics: Although each state has one vote, the practical influence of powerful states and voting blocs can sway outcomes or lead to inaction, undermining the principle of equal representation and effective decision-making often associated with parliamentary systems.
| Feature | National Parliament | UN General Assembly |
|---|---|---|
| Binding Power | Enacts binding laws | Primarily issues recommendations (non-binding) |
| Scope | Covers domestic legislative domain | Broad, but limited by SC primary responsibility (Art 12) & state sovereignty |
| Enforcement | Has state enforcement mechanisms (police, judiciary) | Relies on Member State compliance; no independent mechanism |
| Representation | Based on population/geography within a state | Universal membership (1 state, 1 vote) |
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the UN General Assembly provides an invaluable platform for global dialogue and consensus-building, the analogy of a 'World Parliament' is inaccurate. Its core limitation lies in the non-binding nature of its resolutions and the absence of robust enforcement mechanisms, stemming from the foundational principle of state sovereignty enshrined in the UN Charter. Unlike a national parliament, it cannot impose laws. Its strength resides in its universality and moral authority, influencing global norms and policies, rather than possessing coercive legislative power. Recognizing these limitations is crucial for understanding the UN's role in international governance.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.