The UN is weaker and more delegitimised than ever, but it would be a mistake to blame the institution for the world’s problems: the UN simply mirrors our our fractured geopolitical reality
"Despite the language of universal legality, international law has often been largely a myth, enforced selectively when it aligned with the interests of dominant powers and ignored when it did not. The 2003 US invasion of Iraq is a textbook example of this asymmetry. But it couldn’t otherwise: international law lacks an independent enforcement mechanism; there is no global police force capable of compelling compliance. Its force has therefore always been less coercive than normative — grounded more in legitimacy and shared expectations than anything else."
The same could be said for all law.
Finster's Second Law readeth thusly: "There is no such thing as law. There is only context.".
In its longer form:
Laws are for little people. Policy is for the wealthiest and powerful; they determine who policy and laws apply to.
When rich and powerful people commit crimes against other rich and powerful people? Laws may apply. Not necessarily, however. Jon Corzine and his fraud is a case where laws did not apply.
People say, “The government doesn’t care about me.” That is, until a police officer violates your rights. Who determines how the police respond, to no small measure? The people who write the laws, the politicians. Agents of government – because government does nothing without people who are its agents – are very concerned about everyone. Those who write and enforce the laws determine everything from taxes to business (good luck getting that business loan) to employment (don’t have a criminal record for possession of marijuana, etc) to whether or not police wrongfully arrest people.
We see that in how Wall Street firms are treated differently than from individuals who commit financial fraud. One is more likely to go to jail for writing a fraudulent check than any Wall Street trader or executive committing billions of dollars in fraud.
"Far from being detached from reality, the UN often mirrors it — a “world minus one”, as some have put it, or perhaps more precisely, a world minus the West."
If rational thought is thrown into the mix of current chaos I think we can get to a multipolar world where geopolitics is not dominated by the powerful few but by the populous many. I hope the UN moves to a location out of the USA and world politics is guided through the lens of the general council.
You are so right, thanks for writing the truth so well. I am reminded of the first UN S-G Trygve Lie who said that the UN will never be stronger or better than the member states want it to be. The crisis of the UN is caused by grossly misbehaving/destructive and non-paying and late-paying member states. It does not mean that the UN is not in need of reform, but saying it is useless and powerless is unfair and ignorant. People who say so should ask what good their own governments have behaved and whether or not it is in compliance with the words and spirit of the UN and its Charter.
I have reposted it on The Transnational with joy and support.
Excellent analysis. The UN is designed for a different world than the one we now live in. So much has changed since WWIII! Ideological divides (religious and political) that in previous eras were used to justify war have been rendered meaningless by modern technology and WMD. Imperialism is dead—except in the minds of Western globalists—in large part because our "enemies" are more powerful, more populous and more focused. They think long term. They know that a multipolar world is the last best chance for humanity's survival.
The question they ask themselves is, would the U.S. rather end civilization altogether than accept its new role as one nation among many?
Reading pieces like this gives me hope. But I find it difficult to discuss these new realities with my fellow Americans. They are mostly still stuck in the narratives promoted by our corporate-sponsored media and political elites. I can't think of one Western leader who is talking about any of this. Canadian p.m. Mark Carney alluded to it at Davos, but for all its eloquence his speech was mostly a muddle. He can't get his head around multipolarity either. I just don't get it. Why is this so hard?
Powerful points and insights from you Thomas Fazi. Thank you.
You have made it easier for me to express my admiration and appreciation for the UN. (September 2025, online, I witnessed a high level meeting for reforming the UN- it gave me HOPE! A new UN charter is set for 2026 autumn, looking forward to UNGA 2026- whether it’s in USA or elsewhere.)
Here is my understanding of the UN after reading your article:
Poetic insights from a UN MIRROR speak globally.
The UN is a mirror for how our world Order works.
If one doesn’t like what one sees in the mirror,
one might look away, take it down, face it to a wall,
or hit at it to fracture its reflective powers.
But the United Nations, (aka) many countries representing the majority of Earth’s population, who show up to consider, deliberate and seek solutions to address the
substantive challenges our world faces will not simply disappear.
Courage, Persistence , and Determination to Govern and Guide with maturity and wisdom,
Sharing responsibilities as best they can.
It easier for populations at home to witness our leaders and representatives show up for each and all of us. With the UN MIRRORing how our paths are charted now and into the future.
"Despite the language of universal legality, international law has often been largely a myth, enforced selectively when it aligned with the interests of dominant powers and ignored when it did not. The 2003 US invasion of Iraq is a textbook example of this asymmetry. But it couldn’t otherwise: international law lacks an independent enforcement mechanism; there is no global police force capable of compelling compliance. Its force has therefore always been less coercive than normative — grounded more in legitimacy and shared expectations than anything else."
The same could be said for all law.
Finster's Second Law readeth thusly: "There is no such thing as law. There is only context.".
In its longer form:
Laws are for little people. Policy is for the wealthiest and powerful; they determine who policy and laws apply to.
When rich and powerful people commit crimes against other rich and powerful people? Laws may apply. Not necessarily, however. Jon Corzine and his fraud is a case where laws did not apply.
People say, “The government doesn’t care about me.” That is, until a police officer violates your rights. Who determines how the police respond, to no small measure? The people who write the laws, the politicians. Agents of government – because government does nothing without people who are its agents – are very concerned about everyone. Those who write and enforce the laws determine everything from taxes to business (good luck getting that business loan) to employment (don’t have a criminal record for possession of marijuana, etc) to whether or not police wrongfully arrest people.
We see that in how Wall Street firms are treated differently than from individuals who commit financial fraud. One is more likely to go to jail for writing a fraudulent check than any Wall Street trader or executive committing billions of dollars in fraud.
I can't think of any good the UN does for the world.
"Far from being detached from reality, the UN often mirrors it — a “world minus one”, as some have put it, or perhaps more precisely, a world minus the West."
If rational thought is thrown into the mix of current chaos I think we can get to a multipolar world where geopolitics is not dominated by the powerful few but by the populous many. I hope the UN moves to a location out of the USA and world politics is guided through the lens of the general council.
Yes, but we can blame the UN for not contributing to solving them for the past 30 years, let alone oftentimes aggravating them/
You are so right, thanks for writing the truth so well. I am reminded of the first UN S-G Trygve Lie who said that the UN will never be stronger or better than the member states want it to be. The crisis of the UN is caused by grossly misbehaving/destructive and non-paying and late-paying member states. It does not mean that the UN is not in need of reform, but saying it is useless and powerless is unfair and ignorant. People who say so should ask what good their own governments have behaved and whether or not it is in compliance with the words and spirit of the UN and its Charter.
I have reposted it on The Transnational with joy and support.
Jan Oberg
Excellent analysis. The UN is designed for a different world than the one we now live in. So much has changed since WWIII! Ideological divides (religious and political) that in previous eras were used to justify war have been rendered meaningless by modern technology and WMD. Imperialism is dead—except in the minds of Western globalists—in large part because our "enemies" are more powerful, more populous and more focused. They think long term. They know that a multipolar world is the last best chance for humanity's survival.
The question they ask themselves is, would the U.S. rather end civilization altogether than accept its new role as one nation among many?
Reading pieces like this gives me hope. But I find it difficult to discuss these new realities with my fellow Americans. They are mostly still stuck in the narratives promoted by our corporate-sponsored media and political elites. I can't think of one Western leader who is talking about any of this. Canadian p.m. Mark Carney alluded to it at Davos, but for all its eloquence his speech was mostly a muddle. He can't get his head around multipolarity either. I just don't get it. Why is this so hard?
Powerful points and insights from you Thomas Fazi. Thank you.
You have made it easier for me to express my admiration and appreciation for the UN. (September 2025, online, I witnessed a high level meeting for reforming the UN- it gave me HOPE! A new UN charter is set for 2026 autumn, looking forward to UNGA 2026- whether it’s in USA or elsewhere.)
Here is my understanding of the UN after reading your article:
Poetic insights from a UN MIRROR speak globally.
The UN is a mirror for how our world Order works.
If one doesn’t like what one sees in the mirror,
one might look away, take it down, face it to a wall,
or hit at it to fracture its reflective powers.
But the United Nations, (aka) many countries representing the majority of Earth’s population, who show up to consider, deliberate and seek solutions to address the
substantive challenges our world faces will not simply disappear.
Courage, Persistence , and Determination to Govern and Guide with maturity and wisdom,
Sharing responsibilities as best they can.
It easier for populations at home to witness our leaders and representatives show up for each and all of us. With the UN MIRRORing how our paths are charted now and into the future.