A System in Need of Renewal: The United Nations and the Challenges to the Liberal International Order

Abstract

This article examines the historical evolution, practical achievements, and contemporary structural crises of the United Nations (UN) within the framework of the liberal international order. Founded in 1945 to ensure collective security and multilateralism, the UN has historically succeeded in peacekeeping initiatives, human rights standard-setting, and humanitarian assistance. However, the authors argue that the organization is currently facing severe institutional paralysis, largely driven by the outdated structure and veto power of the UN Security Council. Using modern case studies such as the conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and Gaza, the analysis demonstrates how geopolitical rivalries and structural gridlock prevent the UN from enforcing international law and protecting territorial integrity. Additionally, the paper highlights how recent shifts toward aggressive unilateralism, notably during the Trump administration, have further eroded the UN's operational capacity and moral authority. The article concludes that comprehensive institutional reforms, including Security Council expansion, veto restrictions for atrocity crimes, and modernized peacekeeping, are essential to restore the UN's effectiveness and safeguard the liberal international political order.