Benefits of the Veto System:
- Prevention of Hasty Decisions: One of the primary benefits of the veto system is that it can prevent hasty or ill-considered decisions that could lead to international conflicts. A single member can block resolutions that they believe may be harmful or against their national interests.
- Protection of National Interests: The veto power allows each of the permanent members to protect their national interests and sovereignty. It ensures that no action can be taken at the international level that threatens the vital interests of these powerful nations.
- Promotion of Great Power Stability: The veto system reflects the post-World War II balance of power and helps maintain stability by giving the major victorious powers a say in international decisions. This stability can help prevent major global conflicts.
- Incentive for Cooperation: The threat of a veto can incentivize negotiations and diplomacy among the permanent members. It encourages these nations to find common ground and negotiate compromises before resorting to the use of the veto.
Harms of the Veto System:
- Stalemate and Inaction: One of the most significant drawbacks of the veto system is the potential for deadlock and inaction. If one of the permanent members disagrees with a proposed resolution, it can effectively block any action, even in situations where there is broad international consensus.
- Undermining the UN’s Credibility: Repeated use of the veto, especially in situations where there is overwhelming international support for a particular action (e.g., humanitarian interventions), can undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations as a whole.
- Impeding Humanitarian Efforts: The veto power can prevent timely and necessary international interventions in cases of humanitarian crises or genocides, as it did during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 and the Syrian Civil War.
- Inequity and Unfairness: Critics argue that the veto system perpetuates inequity in global governance by giving disproportionate power to a small number of countries. It can be seen as unfair that a handful of nations have such influence over global decision-making.
- Limited Accountability: The veto system allows permanent members to evade accountability for their actions, as they can block resolutions aimed at addressing their own misconduct or controversial policies.
- Challenges to Global Governance: The veto system can hinder effective global governance and cooperation on issues such as climate change, terrorism, and nuclear disarmament, where consensus and collective action are crucial.
