The Future Role of the United States in the United Nations

Abstract

The power, resources, and influence of the United States place her in the middle of whatever matters come before the United Nations. The United Nations fits into American foreign policy through four functions: as a place for direct con frontation between the great powers; as a third party to keep the great powers apart; as a third party in other people's disputes; as an agency for nation-building. Thus, the United Nations is a safety valve for international tensions and a place to have conferences. It can also be an executive organization for peace, provided solutions to two problems are found: In view of the increasing number of sovereign states represented in the United Nations, how is the real power situation in the outside world to be reflected within the General Assembly? Can the United Nations be made to function as a peace-keeping agency adequate to enable the nations to begin to disarm? Concerning the future, it can be predicted for the United States that she will find less cause for worry over "swirling majorities" in the General Assembly, that she will continue consistently to be with the side of the majority, that—provided the organ ization is not overloaded—she will meet only occasional and not frequent disappointments, and that she will maintain her habit of leadership in the United Nations, because that is the inescapable price of power.—Ed.