Stephen

I agree with your basic premise that the UN is the plaything of the rich and powerful states.

However I think until such time as these states (and all states) disappear that will be the case. The UN is not reformable. Even getting rid of the veto won't change that.

Who for example could have stopped the US invading Iraq, or be able to kick them out?

Other than the American people and the Iraqi resistance?

Wonderful aspirations but, I fear, a remote pipe-dream, given the barriers already installed to protect the notion of the autonomous nation-state.

Dear Passy and oldpro5,

The UN is reformable. Think of the Berlin Wall. It appeared to be permanent. Most people were hoping that it will come down, but did not think that it would. Reality is far more complex than many politicians know or admit.

The Berlin Wall did come down, yet nobody predicted it.

There are many reasons reasons why the Charter of the UN will have to change. Paradoxically, it is partly because of the excesses of the major powers, as shown by the invasion of Iraq.

Stephen Cheleda

The only thing what stops any organization is the drying up of the money flow. As every member keeps on funding millions each and every year, the UN keeps going.