Why does Britain have a seat on the UN Security Council?

Question

As an American I'm always amazed by how the Brits are so over represented in world affairs. How is it that a little Island nation, that cannot defend itself, is allowed to seat at the same table with the great nations of the world?

Icequeen, You sit here and participate in the American bashing that the Brits are spewing and call yourself and American? Rolling eyes, sigh. :)

And they have the audacity to let us take all the heat for them and then condemn us.

OOOOOOOH, careful there limey boy. You don't want to pop your girdle. And since when did colonialism qualify a nation for anything but contempt? You don't have troops in Iraq either now do you? 10,000 wtf is that?

Dude, The French helped us win our independence from this little island. Then they helped us defeat them again when they came back for more. Dude when are we really going to tell these colonialist bastards to bugger off?

Answer 1

It is a fresh change seeing other less notable countries having leadership roles alike Canada, South Korea, and other third world countries in the UN and IAEA.

I also have been to Canada many times and worked there for a while with a private security firm(investments). And they also share woes like America with unemployment high, health-care unstable and has similar or even worse problems then the US, and the cost of living is sky rocketing.

Besides the UN is the US pet project and ultimately still under US influence and all countries know this. It doesn't matter for us who will sit at the head of the table, its who control the agenda and direction of the UN. mmmmm Let me guess could it be the US......dam right bud! US rules! And anyone who wants Canada can have it and her highas-sness.


EDIT TO ANSWERS:

Icequeen....."big boys" now that's too funny to respond with an answer. And in no way is Canada any one of the "big boys" that's is known by all countries in the world. No-one will even flinch if threatened by your big boy Canada...LOL!

McQ......look at Japan, Vietnam, Iraq, and maybe even Iran?

LOL....What about it...we did what we did and nothing can be changed. The US has been in many conflicts to help other countries being oppressed by others or responding back militarily to others who challenges us or our allies. While countries like Canada and others ostracize itself from the equation. And never step up to the plate to address terrorist aggressors around the globe collaboratively. In fact Canada is under its own internal fears and stress from muslims speaking out to the government there, and you all cannot or will not do anything about it. Personally, I am proud to be American and not Canadian or any other nationality.

Answer 2

The 5 everlasting contributors have been drawn from the effective powers of World War II, and on the UN's founding in 1946, the Security Council consisted of France, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom, the United States and the USSR. There had been 2 seat alterations considering that then, despite the fact that now not mirrored in Article 23 of the Charter of the United Nations because it has now not been consequently amended: * China's seat used to be at the start crammed by means of the Republic of China, however because of the stalemate of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, there were 2 states claiming to symbolize "China" considering that then, and each formally declare every different's territory. In 1971, the People's Republic of China used to be offered China's seat within the United Nations by means of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, and the Republic of China (which had misplaced mainland China within the warfare and has been centered in Taiwan ever considering that) quickly misplaced club in all UN firms. * Russia, being the authorized successor state to the Soviet Union after the latter's cave in in 1991, got the at the start-Soviet seat, adding the Soviet Union's former illustration within the Security Council. Before the status quo of the Security Council, the USSR and the UK have been towards China's function in it, nonetheless the USA insisted that China will have to be within the council. Franklin D. Roosevelt admitted that China used to be much less strong on the time of the status quo, however seeing that China's 4 hundred million populace, he desired a emerging buddy as an alternative than a emerging enemy one day, and was hoping that this could make the council extra common. The 5 everlasting contributors of the Security Council are the one countries identified as owning nuclear guns beneath the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, despite the fact that it lacks common validity, as a few nuclear countries have now not signed the treaty. This nuclear popularity isn't the outcome in their Security Council club, although it's frequently used as a state-of-the-art-day justification for his or her persevered presence at the frame. India, Pakistan and North Korea own nuclear guns external of the anti-proliferation framework headquartered by means of the Treaty. Israel has neither tested nor denied formally having nuclear guns, however is extensively believed to own them. The Permanent Representatives of the U.N. Security Council everlasting contributors are Wang Guangya, Jean-Maurice Ripert, Vitaly Churkin, John Sawers and Susan Rice.

Answer 3

Let's go back a bit. The UN was established in April, 1945 at the San Francisco Coference, just as World War II was coming to an end. In 1945, Britain was one of the Big Three powers — the U.S., Britain, and the Soviet Union (the Russian-dominated Communist state). Britain had gone to war against Nazi Germany in September, 1939; Russia hadn't entered the war till June, 1941 when Germany invaded her; the U.S. wasn't officially at war till December, 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

When Britain entered the war she was the leader of the British Commonwealth and Empire, and after they went through the formalities of associated states, the Dominions — Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa declared war on Britain's side and sent units to fight within the general structure of the British forces. India and the colonies automatically went to war. So there was a British bloc that still counted for a great deal in physical power and that fought through to the end. Only in 1943 did American forces grow to a size that they started to become the dominant partner in the campaign in Europe.

Add to this that the predecessor organization, the League of Nations, was dominated by Britain (together with France) and that at that time (1920 and following) the British Empire was still dominant around the world, and seen to be so. So that in the light of recent history, and in view of its major sacrifice (near bankruptcy, major losses) in World War II, Britian was seen to deserve a seat in the key security organ of the UN.

Finally, there was an element (very strong) of realpolitics. Who else would the U.S. have turned to in 1945 for diplomatic support (at that time, the U.S. valued allies, and allies vallued the U.S.) A Council dominated by the U.S. and the Russians would have been a mess — splits between the two were already starting to crack. With Britain, the U.S. dominated the security situation in the new international organization. The two other members of the Security Council were, in 1945, makeweights. France (despite deGaulle's aspirations) was a power that was recognized internationally only as a courtesy. And China, amazingly in the persepctive of 2007, a bit more than 60 years later, was seen at best as a cripppled giant and a protege of he U.S. These perceptions may have been wrong and shortsighted, but such was the sense of the times. .. . ., And so it goes.

Answer 4

Because politically and financially, They are the most powerful nation on earth. One of the Rothschilds said many years ago around the time our federal reserve was perpetrated on America that he did'nt care who was in office as long as he controlled the money.
Europe with the bank of England being the most powerful, Control the USA through the federal reserve. This makes England more powerful than our military.

Answer 5

As an American, I'm sooo glad to see more egocentric American's out there who think the US is the only country in the world that ever counts *rolling eyes*

That said, the "brits" were one of the big boys who put the UN together. Don't think anyone is going to kick them out anytime soon.


Edit:

Yes, I'm American. And you were asking about the UNSC. And there are a lot of egocentric Americans. Don't call me a liberal, though -- I am a republican but MERCIFULLY I was smart enough not to vote for chimp boy.

All Americans like you and chimp boy do is give all other Americans a bad name.

Answer 6

Because you can always rely on Britain when the chips are down just ask Poland and all the lives that were saved because they put human rights before money like in WW2 unlike the Johnny come latelys that have never been in the right place at the right time when they go to war you name me one country that benefited from America going to war for them and WW2 doesn't count because you came in at the tail end.

Answer 7

This little Island once ruled the world. We stood up to tyrants like Hitler. We are a nuclear power, ever heard of Trident, and we believe in fair play and so have every right to our place at the UN. We do not have a Guantanamo Bay prison where people are tortured and held without trial. Oh and by the way we don't like being patronized by loud mouthed and ignorant American people so BUGGER OFF!!!!!!!!

Response....
Colonialism spread democracy around the world - Canada and India were built on the "Statute of Westminster" from the British Constitution. In your country's attempt to spread democracy you have violated international law and caused mayhem - look at Vietnam, Iraq and now possibly Iran. Now have you taken that in GI Joe

Answer 8

all i can say is thank god the Americans i know and love are not retards like you. as for your understanding of the 1812 war i think you need to read a history book everything that i have read put that one at a stalemate, my understanding is that you declared war on Britain and tried to take Canada. is Canada the 51st state i ask myself. still with 300 million people the USA will have people like you uninformed, uneducated, and very very silly.

as for colonialists i wouldn't study your ancestry to much you may find you had one or two of them in your family in the past

Answer 9

That "little Island nation"?

Hmmm...yes. We are small (geographically), we are an island...but in terms of political and financial clout, we're huge. That's why. Now be a good little boy and put your bib on. Your bile is messing up your Mickey Mouse shirt.

Answer 10

britain used to be a world power despite their size. they have more of a right to be on the security council than the US.
i also hope you are not referring to the US as 1 of the great nations of the world?
they are BULLIES.