United Nations: Helpful or Harmful?

Based on the information in the assigned reading and the documentary "Broken Promises," I think that the United Nations could still be viable as a world policing agency if reformed; however, the current state that it's in is only going to cause more harm than relief. I am not arguing that the founders had anything but good intentions; nevertheless, a few debilitating flaws popped up (as can be expected in any endeavor). First of all, as noted in the packet, one hundred two countries with a combined population less than that of the United States, make up a 55 percent majority in the general assembly. In addition, 90 percent have a combined gross domestic product that is less than that of the U.S. This represents to me an unfair majority, a general assembly composed of "balance" that is not always the best, or the safest, representation for the world. After all, a majority of the UN's Human Rights Commission is made up of some of the worst HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS (documentary). Sudan's presence, Cuba's presence, China's presence, etc. on this commission is the worst form of hypocrisy: the kind that leads to death for innocent people. Because of this disorganization, innocent people were left to die in Rwanda in 1994, and innocent people are still being left to die in Darfur. When it all comes down to it, the United Nations will fail, and should most certainly be abandoned, if it does not become more balanced, more organized, and more flexible to intervene when deemed necessary and apparent.