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The United States in the United Nations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2009

Chadwick F. Alger
Chadwick F. Alger
Affiliation:
Chadwick F. Alger is Mershon Professor of Political Science and Public Policy and Director, Program in Transnational Cooperation in the Policy Sciences, Mershon Center, Ohio State University.
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Extract

Reports on the United Nations by three United States groups, the Commission to Study the Organization of Peace, the President's Commission, and the United Nations Association of the USA, are summarized and compared. They reveal informed concern about United States participation in the UN at a time when Congress and the executive exhibit negativism and neglect. Conclusions are drawn on (1) differing priorities for the UN system and their interdependence, (2) the special capabilities of the United States for setting examples, (3) alternative models for UN problem solving, (4) United States contributions to the UN, and (5) generating political will for creative United States involvement in the UN. Concern is expressed about efforts to cut United States assessments for UN budgets and failure of the reports to adequately consider the political consequences of the fact that “maintenance of international peace and security” is not considered the most important UN task by all members. If congressional and executive neglect are to be overcome, public participation and involvement must be extended.

Type
Articles
Information
International Organization , Volume 27 , Issue 1 , Winter 1973 , pp. 1 - 23
Copyright
Copyright © The IO Foundation 1973

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References

1 “U.S. Foreign Policy for the 1970's: The Emerging Structure of Peace,” A Report to the Congress by President Nixon, 02 9, 1972 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1972), p. 190.Google Scholar

2 “United States Role in the United Nations System,” Hearings Before the Subcommittee on International Organizations and Movements of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, 10 13 and 14, 1971 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1971), p. 67.Google Scholar

3 United Nations Association, September 1971, p. 22.

4 President's Commission, p. 16.

5 United Nations Association, p. 63.

6 United Nations Association, p. 51.

7 Partners in Development, Report of the Commission on International Development, Lester B. Pearson, chairman (New York: Praeger, 1969).Google Scholar

8 A Study of the Capacity of the United Nations Development System (UN Document DP/5) (Jackson report) (Geneva: United Nations, 1969).Google Scholar

9 “Southern Africa: Proposals for Americans,” Report of a National Policy Panel established by the United Nations Association of the USA, William M. Roth, chairman, 12 1971, p. 78.Google Scholar

10 Commission to Study the Organization of Peace, p. 53.

11 United Nations Association, p. 34.

12 President's Commission, p. 42.

13 President's Commission, p. 46.

14 These percentages were calculated from figures on United States contributions and total budgets of the United Nations, specialized agencies, voluntary programs and the International Atomic Energy Agency given in the appendix to: US House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs, “United States Contributions to International Organizations,” 19th Report from the Secretary of State, Document No. 92–173, 11 1971 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1971).Google Scholar US contributions for calendar year 1971 were estimated to be $335,443,000 out of a total of $1,115,500,000.

15 “To Limit US Contributions to the UN,” Hearings before the Subcommittee on International Organizations and Movements of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, US House of Representatives, 92nd Congress, 1st session, 11. 18 and 12. 2, 1971 (Washington: US Government Printing Office, 1972).Google Scholar

16 “United States Role in the United Nations System,” p. 17.

17 “U.S. Foreign Policy for the 1970's: The Emerging Structure of Peace,” p. 190.

18 President's Commission, p. 50.

19 United Nations Association, p. 73.

20 United Nations Association, p. 74.