GOVT 1202, Tutorial Ten 2009 Merom, Lockyer, and Kelly (2013 update)

10.1 Case study: The UN and the US decision to go to war in Iraq 2003

Definition and
function of
international
organisations

Prediction on
Iraq

Outcome?

Realist view

Classical
Liberal view

The UN is a tool of
powerful states,
with no capacity
for independent
action

The UN is a body
through which
states can resolve
their conflicts via
co-operation and
collective decisionmaking

Finnemore &
Barnett
application

The UN is an
independent actor
which exercises
significant control
and influence over
its member states,
largely through its
ability to legitimise
state actions and
the creation of
norms
The US will
The US will seek
The US will seek
"bargain with its
Security Council
Security Council
superior power" to approval, due to the approval in order to
gain Security
importance of the
legitimate its
Council approval,
collective security actions. Without
building coalitions doctrine that
such approval, the
where necessary. If underlies its
US may still act,
the desired result is membership of the but the legitimacy
not achieved, it will UN. Without
of its actions will
proceed with
approval, the US
be seriously
military action
will not act.
undermined.
anyway if it is in
the national
interest.
The US sought approval and was denied, but went to war
anyway with the support of another powerful state (the UK) and
several smaller states. In May 2003, the Security Council
passed a resolution that recognised the US and UK as
occupying powers with legitimate authority in Iraq.