My Humble Proposal

It is important to consider certain patterns international conflicts usually tend to follow in order to make out a solution to the problem of the Security Council’s inequalities and the serious consequences this entails. It is noteworthy to say that an absolute majority of the conflicts since 1945 – and the casualties provoked by them –have occurred in the developing countries. Also, most confrontations have taken place in Asia and Africa. These two points are a clear evidence of the nature of these conflicts, which reveal that most are a result of the process of decolonization in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Political instability, economic backwardness, unsolved ethnic issues and poverty are common elements of the regions in which armed confrontations outbreak.

This may seem a very obvious observation at first sight. However, I believe that the problem with the way conflicts have been dealt until now is that most efforts have been put on solving highly volatile situations and minimizing the harm conflicts provoke. Instead, I consider these efforts must be focused on eliminating the underlying causes of conflicts: poverty, inadequate infrastructures, booty economies and political corruption, among others. I think what has been done until now is like treating a patient when is really sick: I believe it would be more effective to help him to be as healthy as possible.

The improvement in the condition of life in the countries of the developing world does not sound as a task for the Security Council. That is exactly the point. I believe that if the member states of the United Nations put more emphasis on organizations like the Economic and Social Council and its commissions and some of its specialized agencies, like the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme, among others, much of the problems that lead countries to war would be solved. At the same time, I consider that if this kind of organization had more influence the Security Council would not be an “obstacle” for the promotion of democracy at the world level. Sometimes people just remember that peace is the antonym of war, but they forget that peace is also a synonym for prosperity.