Ever since the demise of the bipolar world order following the disintegration of former Soviet Union, America has emerged as the big bully on the international scene. Uncle Sam has had its ways in more than half a dozen serious international issues from Kuwait to Iraq, Iran, and North Korea.

Its arm-twisting ways created pressure on India as well. The international flash-points have become permanent scars, ready to flare up at the slightest provocation. American dadagiri has also been a restricting factor in the working of the UN bodies which on many occasions have displayed utter partisanship, especially the IMF and the World Bank.

Even as the world draws precariously close to disaster due to global warming and the widening ozone hole, the UN finds itself helpless against some of the developed countries which have not only depleted the world’s natural resources but continue to be the largest consumer of energy raising CO2 emissions. The heat is felt by the third world countries which are continuously being told to reduce consumption and take to expensive eco-friendly technology.

The dream of democratizing the UN remains largely unfulfilled. When the world body was created after the disastrous consequences of world war two, there was near unanimity over giving unlimited powers to the newly formed body to act against states that did not follow its mandate but over years the UN has been reduced to a stooge of the developed world and a whole lot of new platforms, groups and clubs have been created. It is these groups outside the legitimate sphere of the UN that call the shots.

If the UN has to become a real world parliament with equal rights for all its members, a restructuring of the body would be in order. Also its policing powers must be well defined and categorical. The general body and not the Security Council should be the final arbiter of all disputes. The UN in last half a century has not seen any major initiatives to convert the body into a democratic institution.