tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2111348014229466197.post4382220842064723316..comments2024-02-03T23:57:46.910-05:00Comments on Global Administrative Law: New policy report - "The UN Security Council and the Rule of Law "Euan MacDonaldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06191651493895392340noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2111348014229466197.post-49750027350057368802008-04-28T17:22:00.000-04:002008-04-28T17:22:00.000-04:00Thanks for the comment, and apologies for the dela...Thanks for the comment, and apologies for the delay in responding. <BR/><BR/>Of course, there are grounds for huge skepticism regarding the political will in the US (and in other permanent members) for introducing real and effective change into the way the Security Council operates. Although I think it would be to misread the situation to suggest (not that you did so) that the US in general believes in "limiting the United Nations' abilty to compel the behavior of anyone." On the contrary, as the work of the Sanctions Committee shows, there are times when the Council is viewed as very useful indeed.<BR/><BR/>As to the potential role of the paper in policy reform, it will be unable to do more than persuade as to the force of the arguments it makes. It may be, of course, that this will amount to little more than preaching to the converted; however, even documents that are in no sense at all "binding" can play an important role in establishing the rhetorical "conditions of possibility" for the introduction of genuine change...Euan MacDonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06191651493895392340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2111348014229466197.post-68663004232484295612008-04-13T23:00:00.000-04:002008-04-13T23:00:00.000-04:00This seems like quite a remarkable statement. The...This seems like quite a remarkable statement. There are many, at least in the US who believe firmly in limiting the United Nations' abilty to compel the behavior of anyone.<BR/><BR/>The argument is a self-fulfilling one. They talk with scorn about the ineffectiveness of the United Nations and at the same time strongly distrust efforts to make it a stronger, more accountable, more transparent and less political body. <BR/><BR/>This paper seems like it makes claims far removed from the viewpoint shared by many (at least in the United States). Even many in the current US administration are both skeptical of the United Nations and hostile to any ability to compel action in all states equally. What is the role this paper will play in the debate to reform the Security Council and the United Nations? Will opponents of a more rule-of-law based Security Council be able to just sweep it aside?Nate Vogelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14426551108019885999noreply@blogger.com