Understanding the Democracy Deficit at the U.N.: The G-77, Non-Aligned Movement, and Organization of the Islamic Conference

Publication Date: February 2008

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Terry Miller

Research Area: International relations

Keywords: International organizations; general assembly; Islamic Conference; Terry Miller

Type: Speech

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

U.N. advocates describe one country/one vote decision making as embodying the best principles of democracy, but it is actually quite different. The governments casting their equal votes in the General Assembly represent vastly different numbers of people, and when many of the states casting those votes are not themselves democratic, one may legitimately ask whose voices their votes represent.