Power and intergovernmental organizations

While Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a frontal assault on all the United Nations represents, it is likely that greater changes to the international system and the UN system will come from China’s efforts to remake the institution in its image. Theories of power transition and organizational behavior tell us that if a major power wishes to use its considerable resources to directly influence policy and practice at the UN and encounters little resistance that it will likely succeed. UN staff are in a vulnerable position in these situations since they rely so heavily on the funding and political support of the major member states. China, in particular, seems to be adroitly manipulating the UN rules and procedures to bring about changes that are more compatible with its interests, including altering the development model at the UN and redirecting attention with respect to human rights issues. In this respect, power-politics seems to best explain outcomes.