The United Nations: Bad Idea

Logic Times ^ | 11-17-05 | Dan Hallagan

[Logic Times]

"Cost of U.N. Renovation Soars to $1.9 Billion By MEGHAN CLYNE - Staff Reporter of the Sun, November 17, 2005

A 60-day, top-to-bottom review of the United Nations's renovation plans - meant to bring down the $1.2 billion cost of the project, described by many real estate experts as over-inflated - has instead sent the project's estimated price tag soaring to $1.9 billion."

In light of this hefty price tag, it is past time to ask if the U.N. is salvageable. The United Nations has proven to be a dysfunctional world body, but is this the fault of a corrupt organization or a corrupt idea birthed in the slightly unbalanced Ivy League mind of Woodrow Wilson over 85 years ago? The language of his League of Nations is noble –

"The High Contracting Parties, In order to promote international cooperation and to achieve international peace and security by the acceptance of obligations not to resort to war, by the prescription of open, just and honorable relations between nations, by the firm establishment of the understandings of international law as the actual rule of conduct among Governments, and by the maintenance of justice and a scrupulous respect for all treaty obligations in the dealings of organized peoples with one another, Agree to this Covenant of the League of Nations. (Covenant of the League of Nations, Preamble)"

– but the implementation – then as now – has been a disaster. Why?

Any organization designed to promote just and ethical behavior that imposes no limitations on membership is destined to fail. Approaching the matter from the other end, any organization that purports to uphold some ethical standard (i.e., human rights, international law, charity, etc.) must have, as a condition of membership, participants who honor that standard and must reject those who do not.

[Logic Times]

Comments?

[Logical me]

Don't we have some left over quonset huts from WWII. Set them up on bardges and anchor out.

[verbal voter]

We must not allow NYC to permit improvements or additions. They will want increased revenue.
The UN must be made to decentralize, with about 15-20% of operations maximum, in any country, spread around the world based up populations. Place various specialties in or near countries where they are needed. With todays electronics instant face to face meeting are possible.

With diplomats located in places like Central Africa, India, China, and Indonesia problems would be solved faster.

[litehaus]

"With diplomats located in places like Central Africa, India, China, and Indonesia problems would be solved faster."

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Yeh! The diplomats would, what, disappear faster?