The world consists of about 200 states and forms the international community. The central organization promoting cooperation among states is the United Nations (UN).
Basic Knowledge
The three elements of a sovereign state are: sovereignty, territory (land, territorial waters, and airspace), and people. International law consists of rules among states and includes treaties (written law) and customary international law.
The United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 on the basis of the UN Charter. Its headquarters is in New York. It has 193 member states (as of 2025).
Main organs:
・General Assembly: all member states participate; one country, one vote
・Security Council: the central organ for maintaining peace. Five permanent members (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China) + 10 nonpermanent members. Permanent members have the veto
・Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice (The Hague), and Secretariat (Secretary-General)
・Specialized agencies: UNESCO (education, science, and culture), WHO (health), ILO (labor), IMF, World Bank, and others.
Sovereign state (an independent state with sovereignty, territory, and people)
United Nations (established in 1945, headquartered in New York, with 193 member states)
Security Council (the center of peacekeeping; 5 permanent + 10 nonpermanent members)
Veto (the right held by the five permanent members to reject a resolution)
PKO (UN peacekeeping operations, such as monitoring ceasefires and elections)
UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund; children's rights and support)
In Depth (Background and Significance)
The predecessor of the UN was the League of Nations (1920, proposed by U.S. President Wilson). The UN was established after reflecting on the League's failure to prevent World War II. The veto held by the permanent members caused deadlock during the Cold War confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. Since the end of the Cold War, PKO activities have become more active.
Japan joined in 1956 and pays around the world's third-largest share of assessed contributions. It has proposed Security Council reform with the aim of becoming a permanent member, but this has not been achieved. The UN is the only framework of its kind for addressing global issues, and the need for reform is being debated.
- Three elements of a state = sovereignty, territory, and people
- Territory = land, territorial waters (12 nautical miles), and airspace
- Exclusive economic zone (EEZ) = 200 nautical miles
- UN established in 1945; headquarters in New York
- Permanent Security Council members = the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China (with veto power)
- Japan joined the UN in 1956
- Specialized agencies include UNESCO, WHO, UNICEF, and ILO
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① Do not confuse the United Nations (1945) with the League of Nations (1920). ② Territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles, while the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extends 200 nautical miles. ③ The permanent members are the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China; Japan is not included. ④ Distinguish PKO (peacekeeping operations) from PKF (peacekeeping forces).
Practice
- Give all three elements of a state.
- Give all five permanent members of the Security Council.
- In what year did Japan join the United Nations?