Date of Award
Spring 2015
Document Type
Honors Project
University Scholars Director
Dr. Jeff Keuss
First Advisor/Committee Member
Dr. Ruth Ediger
Second Advisor/Committee Member
Bradley Jensen Murg
Keywords
United Nations, Security Council, Path Dependence, Institutional Reform
Abstract
This paper explores United Nations Security Council reform from a historical perspective. Using the concept of path dependence, the paper shows how features put in place at the Security Council’s formation have limited options for reform in the present. The Security Council’s concert of power model, separation from the General Assembly, distinction of membership types, and high barrier for change serve as mechanisms of path dependence. These features resulted from the Security Council’s formation during WWII in the wake of the failed League of Nations. The inability of current reform movements to bring about change illustrates the Security Council’s continued institutional resilience. In light of this, possible outcomes for the Security Council include partial reform of the body or full or partial replacement by another institution. Institutional resilience makes a massive overhaul of the Security Council’s structure unlikely, and keeps power in the hands of the body’s five permanent members. Through its analysis, the paper demonstrates how understanding the influence of historical factors can provide a useful framework for interpreting current issues in international organization.
Recommended Citation
Valley, Brian, "Entrenched in Power: Path Dependence and UN Security Council Reform" (2015). Honors Projects. 32.
https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/honorsprojects/32
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Comments
A project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the University Scholars Program