SJS1-"Intensive Care for the United Nations"

SJS1- “Intensive Care for the United Nations”

Citation: Weiss, Thomas G. "Intensive Care for the United Nations." Current History 109.730 (2010): 322-28. Print.

Author Credentials: Thomas Weiss is a political science professor at The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Weiss is also the author of “What’s Wrong With the United Nations and How to Fix It.” Weiss is known for being an expert in the politics of the United Nations. This makes Weiss incredibly qualified to write an essay examining the weaknesses of the UN (United Nations) and how to amend them.

Summary: The article addresses how the United Nations seems ineffective in combating modern day problems and in order to become formidable a reform needs to occur. The article begins by explaining how the United Nations is crucial to governing an interconnected world, especially in managing health hazards, international crime, nuclear development, and human trafficking. The article uses socio-historical evidence to highlight how the UN was founded 65 years ago at the end of World War II and prevailed through historical events in the 1960s-70s up to current events. Next, the article examines the four main reasons why the UN is becoming ineffective. Weiss states that countries in the UN are more focused on what is best for them than the global good of the world, that the UN is plagued by frivolous fights between the industrialized North and the developing South, that the UN is unorganized and dysfunctional, and that members are recruited to the UN based on chance and individual personalities. Next, Weiss provides solutions to each of the United Nation’s complications.  Weiss explains that northern countries and southern countries have to collaborate to overcome their historic bickering. Continuing, the article outlines how a serious reform movement could make the UN more coherent. Weiss also explains how if staff members were appointed by merit this would make individuals more focused on the global good and it would reinvigorate the UN. Lastly, the article speculates on how the Obama administration will handle foreign affairs. The article connects to what we are learning in class because in “Globalization and Diversity” the importance of the United Nations is addressed. “Globalization and Diversity” explains that globalization is inevitable, but the negative effects like economic disparities and environmental issues can be controlled. The text explains that through international institutions, like the UN, these demanding problems will be managed. 

Analysis: Weiss made a strong argument through his comprehensible and coherent organization. First, Weiss explains why he is writing the article, then he analyzes four problems, next he offers solutions to the problems, and lastly he connects the article to the future of the United States. Secondly, Weiss does provide sufficient evidence to support why the UN needs to be mended. Although dated, his four points of what needs to be restored are focused. Since Weiss avoids large generalizations, he is able to supply an ample amount of data to support his points. In addition, Weiss does distinguish facts and opinions by referencing where he got his information. For example, when he is discussing the idea of “good global citizenship,” he says “(an expression coined by Gareth Evans, the former Australian foreign minister and one-time president of the International Crisis Group).” However, the reader has to be careful because Weiss often seamlessly transitions from someone else’s ideas to his own and then stretches them from opinion to fact. Lastly, Weiss is a reliable source due to the focus of his studies. Weiss is an acclaimed expert in politics of the United Nations, which makes him a dependable author for this specific article. Also, being published in an academic journal helps illustrate his reliability. Overall, Thomas Weiss’s coherent argument, abundant information, acknowledgment of sources, and field of study makes the article strong and reliable.