Analyzing the Legitimacy, Effectiveness, and Legacy of the United Nations

This thesis examines the legitimacy and effectiveness of the United Nations since its establishment, while also exploring the shortcomings of its predecessor, the League of Nations. The legitimacy of the United Nations and the role the organization plays in the world of international politics, the flaws of the UN Security Council, and the impact of the Cold War on the legitimacy and processes of the United Nations are especially highlighted throughout this thesis.The successes and shortcomings of the United Nations are best understood given the historical context of the League of Nations, the organization founded to bring world powers together, and disbanded due to the lack of legitimacy and power in the international sphere. Historical connections are established that magnify the underlying causes of diplomatic failures over time. For example, the Manchurian Incident of 1931, allowed by the League of Nations' weakness and inaction, set an international precedent that ultimately led to World War II.Similarly, the absence of decisive international intervention by the UN during the American Invasion of Iraq contributed to a precedent later observed in Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. After a thorough examination of the modern UN system, recommendations for how the organization can expand its legitimacy and effectiveness around the world are provided.