Binding Triad
Encyclopedia
The Binding Triad is a proposal to amend the United Nations Charter
to allow the United Nations General Assembly
to pass binding resolutions with the approval of a supermajority
of members. For a resolution to be binding, it would require the support of nations:
The Binding Triad appeals to some world federalists because it could theoretically institute a world government
with only one change to the U.N. Charter. However, further amendments would be needed to secure representative government. In addition, it is unclear what impact such a change would have on the role of the United Nations Security Council
, which enacts and enforces its own resolutions.
Amendments to the United Nations Charter
Amendments to the United Nations Charter can be made by a procedure set out in Chapter XVIII of the UN Charter. The UN Charter has been amended five times since 1945....
to allow the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
to pass binding resolutions with the approval of a supermajority
Supermajority
A supermajority or a qualified majority is a requirement for a proposal to gain a specified level or type of support which exceeds a simple majority . In some jurisdictions, for example, parliamentary procedure requires that any action that may alter the rights of the minority has a supermajority...
of members. For a resolution to be binding, it would require the support of nations:
- Comprising a majority of members of the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. - Whose combined contributions in dues comprise a majority of the U.N. budget.
- Whose combined populations comprise a majority of the world population.
The Binding Triad appeals to some world federalists because it could theoretically institute a world government
World government
World government is the notion of a single common political authority for all of humanity. Its modern conception is rooted in European history, particularly in the philosophy of ancient Greece, in the political formation of the Roman Empire, and in the subsequent struggle between secular authority,...
with only one change to the U.N. Charter. However, further amendments would be needed to secure representative government. In addition, it is unclear what impact such a change would have on the role of the United Nations Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
, which enacts and enforces its own resolutions.