Beyond the Veto: Why the UN Security Council is Failing

Abstract

The United Nations Security Council was established in 1945 to uphold international peace and security through collective measures. Its effectiveness in responding to major global crises has been increasingly questioned over the years. This thesis examines the structural limitations of the Security Council by analyzing three selected cases involving its engagement with the 2011 intervention in Libya, the civil war in Syria, and the ongoing war in Ukraine. These examples identify patterns in the Council’s behavior and assess how institutional design and geopolitical dynamics influence its actions. The research applies three theoretical perspectives from international relations. Realism highlights the role of great power rivalry and national interests. Liberal institutionalism considers the potential for reform and cooperation within international institutions. Critical security studies offer a more profound critique by focusing on structural inequality, human security, and the exclusion of non-Western voices in global governance. Each case is examined in relation to how the Council responded to different forms of crisis and how the interests of the permanent five members shaped the outcomes. The thesis also discusses reform debates and explores emerging alternatives to the Council’s current structure, including efforts to strengthen regional organizations, increase the General Assembly’s role during moments of paralysis, and propose new global security forums with broader participation. The findings suggest that the Council’s limitations are not only procedural but also rooted in deeper assumptions about power, legitimacy, and authority that reflect a post-war international order. As global challenges become more complex and interconnected, there is growing interest in building a more inclusive and flexible system of international security governance. This study offers a critical contribution to reform debates by questioning the United Nations’ ability to adapt to 21st century security challenges.