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United Nations DayThe Oct. 23 meeting gave us the opportunity to update our thinking on the United Nations. Dr. Werner Levy, Prof. of Political Science spoke to us about changes in the UN. He said that the purposes of the UN remain the same; it is the character and positions of the member nations that has changed. Whereas America was once the "top dog" it is now the "underdog". Many new nations have altered the voting situation and the U.S. no longer wins on every issue. Therefore, some people advocate pulling out of the UN. It was pointed out that one of the goals of the UN was unity among member nations. However, the reverse has happened. Only in times of disunity do they go to the UN and fight out their problems. When nations are working and settling problems peaceably they do not use the UN. The UN has become a battleground, used by nations trying to gain political advantage. The types of problems that are brought before the UN are so big and so complex, they are practically insolvable. Dr. Levy pointed out that in the past 100 years the tools of power have drastically changed. Physical dominance was once of utmost importance, But now nuclear warfare makes war so horrible that states are now. willing 10 make deals. with one another where before they would go to war. Nations have found "wheeling and dealing", economic penetration through business, financial and technical aid go further these days than physical force. Political agencies are becoming less and less important while economic are becoming more important Dr. Levy concluded that the UN has the organization for this shift in emphasis. The question is not whether to quit the. UN but what do we do with it? How do we play up
its strengths? Dr. Levy was optimistic about the future. He feels man will see it is in his own self-interest to cooperate.
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