Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction (40-50 words)
- Introduce the role of international institutions (e.g., UN Security Council, WTO) in promoting fairness in global relations.
- State that, while these institutions set rules for fairness, states often prioritize their national interests, sometimes overriding the moral principles and objectives set by these bodies.
2. The Role of International Institutions in Promoting Fairness (50-60 words)
- UN Security Council: Ensures international peace and security, promoting fairness in conflicts and global relations.
- World Trade Organization (WTO): Aims for fair trade practices and resolving trade disputes.
- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: India’s philosophy promoting fairness globally.
- Mention how these institutions promote collective justice through standards, like prohibiting trade-distorting practices.
Source: UN Charter, WTO Agreements
3. Reasons States Prioritize Their Own Interests Over Moral Values (150-180 words)
A. Sense of Insecurity and Power Politics
- Countries often act in ways that increase their security or influence, even at the expense of fairness.
- Example: Nuclear proliferation (e.g., North Korea and India’s nuclear programs) despite their commitment to non-violence.
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
B. Regional Supremacy and Economic Interests
- Countries often act to secure regional dominance, disregarding fairness in their relations with other states.
- Example: China’s support for Pakistan, including vetoing sanctions against it, disregarding the concerns of India.
Source: Global Policy Forum, 2021
C. Colonial Hangover and Interference in Internal Affairs
- Some countries continue to interfere in the internal matters of former colonies or other sovereign nations.
- Example: UK Parliament discussing the abrogation of Article 370 in India, reflecting continued political influence.
Source: The Guardian, 2020
D. Distributive Justice and Climate Change
- Developed nations often fail to take responsibility for climate change, focusing on their own economic growth instead.
- Example: Developed countries’ reluctance to help developing nations mitigate climate change impacts.
Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2021
E. Self-interest vs. Global Standards
- States often place their citizens’ needs ahead of international fairness, especially when it comes to economic or strategic goals.
- Example: India’s reliance on fossil fuels for industrial growth, which conflicts with global carbon reduction goals.
Source: Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests (2020)
4. Conclusion (40-50 words)
- Summarize that despite the efforts of international institutions to ensure fairness, states often prioritize national security, economic growth, and regional dominance, which undermines the objectives of these institutions. Highlight that moral practices in international relations are necessary to address global issues such as climate change and terrorism.
5. Relevant Facts for Answer (Sources and Examples)
- UN Security Council & WTO: Both aim to promote fairness, but often countries act based on power politics (UN Charter, WTO Agreements).
- Nuclear Proliferation (North Korea, India): Despite commitments to non-violence, countries pursue nuclear weapons for national security (IAEA, 2020).
- China-Pakistan Relations: China’s support for Pakistan illustrates how regional supremacy can conflict with international fairness (Global Policy Forum, 2021).
- UK and Article 370: Example of former colonial power meddling in domestic affairs (The Guardian, 2020).
- Climate Change: Developed nations’ reluctance to fund climate change mitigation efforts in developing nations (IPCC, 2021).
- India’s Fossil Fuel Reliance: Conflicts with global climate goals (Indian Ministry of Environment, 2020).
6. Key Tips for Writing the Answer
- Use a structured approach: Introduction → Key Points → Examples → Conclusion.
- Provide relevant examples with appropriate facts.
- Mention sources for data and support the examples.
- Balance between moral values and self-interest in international relations.
- Ensure clarity and coherence in writing.
Freed from the burdens of war, entities like the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), and International Monetary Fund (IMF) emerged within the tangled web of international relations to instill fairness, cooperation, and stability across the world. Yet in practice, countries often put their own interests first, rather than working in accordance with the moral principles and goals defined by these organizations. A leading instance is the UN Security Council, which is pivotal to preserving peace and security globally. Here, member states with power have used their veto rights to obstruct resolutions that are contrary to their national interests. For instance, the US has employed its veto power to deny proposals criticizing Israel in resume to its endgame interests in the Middle East and sees that it will not be able to get through its strategic and diplomatic ambitions in the region if the Palestinian independence issue, that states that peace can only be reached with the independence of Palestine when the displacement of the Palestinian population is discussed ágain in the future. Likewise, China has blocked sanctions on Syria, motivated both by its non-interference principles and its close ties to Assad.
On the economic front, the WTO seeks fair and equitable trade practices, but dominant economies frequently seek agreements that favor their own commercial sectors. The trade war sparked in 2018 by the U.S. with China is a perfect example of how national interests preempt the tenets of open and fair trade. The decision for the U.S. to impose tariffs to protect domestic industries — even at the cost of destabilizing the global economy and violating the WTO’s mandate against such unilateral action — was rational behavior in a world where security has become scarce and economic systems are opaque. In conclusion, while global institutions are central in exporting international standards, these examples show the overarching hindrance to global fairness and cooperation is the self-serving nature of nations.
In international relations, states often prioritize their own interests over moral values, despite the existence of institutions promoting fairness. Realism, a key theory in this field, emphasizes that nations act primarily to enhance their power and ensure self-preservation. For instance, Russia’s support for Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian civil war illustrates this. Despite widespread calls for intervention due to human rights abuses, Russia maintained its alliance to safeguard its strategic interests in the region.
Similarly, China’s relationship with North Korea demonstrates how national interests override moral considerations. China’s economic ties with North Korea persist despite the latter’s human rights violations and aggressive nuclear testing, as Beijing seeks to maintain regional stability and its influence.
These examples highlight that while institutions like the United Nations promote cooperation and ethical standards, states often sideline these ideals when their core interests are at stake. The realist perspective suggests that moral considerations may be secondary to the pursuit of power, revealing a persistent tension in global politics where ethical aspirations frequently clash with national agendas.