The United Nations (UN) – the closest thing the international order has to a government; its location – New York, naturally. The aim of this organisation is to refocus the multilateral policies of the world’s states, towards a common goal. Unfortunately the UN’s most influential member – America – promotes a discourse that is in direct conflict with this ideal.

The United States has always promoted ‘the American dream’, a form of social Darwinism by which all of us are expected to make our own way in the world; nature over nurture; survival of the fittest.

America then, does not support concepts such as humanitarian intervention or reducing poverty.
European states are the other most influential members of the UN. These states come from a very different tradition, one that promotes social welfare and economic regulation. Such policies are far more conducive to the workings of the UN than the neo-realist ideals favoured by Americans.

It is then, essential that Europe does not lose perspective of its responsibility to the world as an integral part of the UN’s mission. After all, people from all over Africa, Asia and South America fought for the freedom of Europe in the Second World War. It is the duty of Europe to return the favour, as peacekeepers, doctors, lenders, and humanitarians.
Many will point to its most recent failure as a body, to prevent America and Britain from invading Iraq in 2003. Despite the ruling of the UN Security Council, that the war was illegitimate, the invasion took place. One would hope that EU member states would speak up with greater resolution if a similar scenario were to arise again.

Another role for EU representatives within the UN is to act as a mediator between America and the Security Council’s other permanent member, Russia. It was European intervention that was most successful in the ceasefire that followed the Georgio-Russian conflict last year. As Russia begins to re-assert its military presence on the world, it is an accommodating and compromising policy which will prevent diplomatic, economic and military conflict. Pandering to Russian threats and muscle is only going to lead to one thing, a political stalemate and, possibly, another form of Cold War.

I would not want to tar the current US administration with the same brush as its predecessor. There is a clear commitment to pursuing humanitarian goals across the globe, under the jurisdiction of the UN. What is equally important though is that US representatives concede ground and power within the organisation and begin to acknowledge European discourses; inclusive models promoting responsible governance and humanitarian goals. The duty of Europe though, is to acknowledge the autonomy of the United Nations in matters of global importance. It is imperative that Europe avoids pushing it to one side in the pursuit of its own gains, as America has done in the past.