THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE CHANGING INTERNATIONAL SCENE

This article examines the evolving role of the United Nations in response to the changing international political and economic scene of the mid-1980s. It assesses the organization's effectiveness in addressing new global challenges, including the debt crisis, regional conflicts, and environmental degradation. The study analyzes the impact of superpower tensions and the increasing assertiveness of the Third World on the functioning of the UN. The paper argues that while the UN faces significant constraints, it remains an indispensable forum for multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation. It concludes by exploring potential reforms to enhance the UN's capacity to manage global problems in a rapidly changing world.

The international system of the mid-1980s was one of profound flux, marked by renewed Cold War tensions, a deepening economic crisis in the developing world, and the emergence of complex transnational challenges. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of how the United Nations was adapting to this changing scene. It begins by outlining the major shifts in the global landscape, from the strategic dynamics between the superpowers to the growing demands of the Group of 77 for a New International Economic Order. The core of the study is an evaluation of the UN's performance across its key mandates: peace and security, economic development, and human rights. In the security domain, the article examines the UN's role in managing regional conflicts, often paralyzed by the Security Council veto but finding new avenues through peacekeeping and good offices. In the economic sphere, it analyzes the debates within UNCTAD and ECOSOC and the organization's struggle to foster a more equitable global economy. The paper critically assesses the challenges to multilateralism, including the financial crisis facing the UN and the political pressures exerted by major powers. It concludes that despite its imperfections and the often-unrealistic expectations placed upon it, the United Nations continued to be a vital arena for global dialogue and a crucial actor in addressing issues that no single state could solve alone, reflecting both the limits and the enduring necessity of international cooperation.