POL 1101 Study Guide - Final Guide: United Nations Charter, Humanitarian Intervention

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POL 1101
• Professor: Ivaylo Grouev

Document Summary

Humanitarian intervention is the responsibility to protect several core principles defining small states and great states alike. The history of humanitarian intervention is replete with invocations of humanitarian intentions by strong powers or coalitions to conceal their own geopolitical interests. The united nations charter prohibits nations from attacking other states to remedy claimed violations of human rights. The authorization of the un security council must be met prior to any nation protecting human rights with the use of force, and is critical to the maintenance of world peace and order. President clinton argued that when a nation is committing mass violations of human rights, nations have the right to intervene militarily without the authority of the un security council. Article 2 (4) of the charter prohibits the threat or use of force and calls on all members to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of other states.