📋 WAT/Essay Analysis Guide: Should the Veto Power Be Reformed in the UN Security Council?
🌟 Understanding the Topic’s Importance
The debate over veto power reform in the UNSC connects to themes of equity, justice, and effective global governance—critical considerations for B-school students interested in international relations and policy analysis.
📝 Effective Planning and Writing
- ⏳ Time Allocation:
- Planning: 5 minutes
- Writing: 20 minutes
- Review: 5 minutes
- 📊 Word Count:
- Introduction: 70 words
- Body: 350 words
- Conclusion: 80 words
🎯 Introduction Techniques for Essays
- ⚖️ Contrast Approach: “While the veto power has ensured global stability for decades, it now hinders equitable decision-making, as seen in conflicts like Ukraine.”
- 💡 Solution-Based Approach: “Reforming veto power is crucial to addressing 21st-century challenges like climate change and global security.”
- 🕒 Timeline Approach: “From ensuring post-WWII peace to paralyzing action on Syria, the UNSC veto power reflects both strength and obsolescence.”
📚 Structuring the Essay Body
- 🏆 Achievements:
- Ensured stability in Cold War crises.
- Facilitated global consensus on key interventions.
- ⚠️ Challenges:
- Blocked resolutions (e.g., Syria, Ukraine).
- Disproportionate influence of P5.
- Representation gaps for Africa and emerging economies.
- 🔮 Future Outlook:
- Proposals for limiting vetoes to specific cases.
- Expanding permanent membership for inclusivity.
✅ Concluding Effectively
- ⚖️ Balanced Approach: “While veto reform is essential for inclusivity, its implementation must preserve the UNSC’s efficacy and prevent new conflicts.”
- 🌍 Global Comparison: “Drawing from models like the African Union’s demand for representation, UNSC reforms must address regional and geopolitical inequalities.”
🌱 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress
- 🤝 Introduce conditional vetoes (e.g., requiring multiple vetoes for blockage).
- 🌍 Expand membership with regional representation.
- 📜 Foster accountability through UNGA oversight.
📄 Sample Short Essays
⚖️ Balanced Perspective
The veto power has safeguarded peace but often reflects outdated power structures, necessitating cautious yet inclusive reforms.
🔧 Solution-Oriented
Reforming the UNSC veto system by limiting its scope and expanding representation can balance equity with efficiency.
🌍 Global Comparison
Adopting elements from the African Union’s inclusivity model could rejuvenate UNSC’s credibility while maintaining global stability.

