THE UNITED NATIONS PERMANENT SECURITY MEMBERS: A CASE FOR REPLACEMENT OR EXPANSION

Abstract

The most powerful organ of the United Nations (UN), the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been under various criticisms over the last decade and one of the major areas that is being criticized worldwide was its membership. Both members and non-members of the UNSC have questioned the nature or state of the current five membership members namely United States, Russia, United Kingdom, China and France. These five permanent members also have their own sentiments regarding expansion or replacement appeals from different countries. Obviously, the concerns of the five permanent members are related with economic, military and political interests which overlap each other. This study therefore assesses both the advantage and disadvantages of each of the appeals by matching them against the future and effectiveness of the Council. After the assessment of the appeals from different angles, the study also makes specific recommendations as to whether expansion or replacement would be the best option, judging from the current state of global affairs.