The UN, a bad example?

[Col. Crackpot]

Does the fact that not a single ambassador to the United Nations is elected by the people they represent set a bad example? Should the International body, whose mission in part is to encourage and cultivate democracy in undemocratic nations, be made to practice what it preaches? Does anyone here feel that the lack of a real representative democracy in the UN harms it's credibility?

[Darth Wong]

Does the fact that not a single ambassador to the United Nations is elected by the people they represent set a bad example? Should the International body, whose mission in part is to encourage and cultivate democracy in undemocratic nations, be made to practice what it preaches? Does anyone here feel that the lack of a real representative democracy in the UN harms it's credibility?

Most members of any country's government are unelected (in some cases, even the president )

[Col. Crackpot]

Does the fact that not a single ambassador to the United Nations is elected by the people they represent set a bad example? Should the International body, whose mission in part is to encourage and cultivate democracy in undemocratic nations, be made to practice what it preaches? Does anyone here feel that the lack of a real representative democracy in the UN harms it's credibility?

Most members of any country's government are unelected (in some cases, even the president )

Never fear Mike! Glorious American liberators are on their way to Soviet Cannuckistan as we speak to end the Cretien regime and intstall a democratic government to better serve the flow of Canadian oil and natural gas...oops, i mean the will of the Canadian people.

Seriously though, don't you think it would set a good example if the supposedly democratic nations of the world like the US and Canada sent ambassadors to the UN that were chosen by popular election?

[jegs2]

Seriously though, don't you think it would set a good example if the supposedly democratic nations of the world like the US and Canada sent ambassadors to the UN that were chosen by popular election?

I don't think voter turnout for such an election would be high enough. We already have difficulty in the US in convincing folks to vote for the President.

[Col. Crackpot]

Seriously though, don't you think it would set a good example if the supposedly democratic nations of the world like the US and Canada sent ambassadors to the UN that were chosen by popular election?

I don't think voter turnout for such an election would be high enough. We already have difficulty in the US in convincing folks to vote for the President.

Tie it in with the presidential election to maximize voter turnout. and i don't think low voter turnout is an acceptable argument against having elections

[NecronLord]

No more than ambassadors to other nations should be. The ambassador to the UN serves the govt of that nation. Full Stop.

Should the International body, whose mission in part is to encourage and cultivate democracy in undemocratic nations,

Article 1
The Purposes of the United Nations are:

1. To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace;

2. To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace;

3. To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion; and

4. To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends.

Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter Vll.

You are under some misconceptions about the UN.

[Stuart Mackey]

Does the fact that not a single ambassador to the United Nations is elected by the people they represent set a bad example? Should the International body, whose mission in part is to encourage and cultivate democracy in undemocratic nations, be made to practice what it preaches? Does anyone here feel that the lack of a real representative democracy in the UN harms it's credibility?

American cabinet posts are unelected.
Haveing said that, I think you are right. The UN would have far more credibility/legitimacy if its members were elected. That would of cource set up a interesting problem: What if the UN representtive has a opposing veiw to that of his own, presumably democratic, nation?

[Companion Cube]

That would of cource set up a interesting problem: What if the UN representtive has a opposing veiw to that of his own, presumably democratic, nation?

I'd imagine that the representative would have to go along with the will of his/her own nation. After all, the Rep is there to represent his/her country, not his personal beliefs...

[Companion Cube]

That would of cource set up a interesting problem: What if the UN representtive has a opposing veiw to that of his own, presumably democratic, nation?

I'd imagine that the representative would have to go along with the will of his/her own nation. After all, the Rep is there to represent his/her country, not his personal beliefs...

Oops, my bad. Disregard that previous post, I misunderstood what you said.

[Next of Kin]

Does the fact that not a single ambassador to the United Nations is elected by the people they represent set a bad example? Should the International body, whose mission in part is to encourage and cultivate democracy in undemocratic nations, be made to practice what it preaches? Does anyone here feel that the lack of a real representative democracy in the UN harms it's credibility?

So what do you suggest we do with the UN then?