NationStates Jolt Archive

The UN is essentially a co-op of various nations and it's 'power' if you wish to call it that, is only equal to the power and resources the contributing nations put into it.

A little bell went off in my head and I found this a bit similar to how co-op businesses are set up (my only experience is a fleeting knowledge with co-op food markets, but anyway). Now I know that GOVERNMENTS are the contributing parties and that has obvious conflicts with the anarchist philosophy, but I wonder if it weren't for the presence of veto-holding countries, would the UN appear more anarchistic?

If you use more neutral language and refer to the governments being represented at the UN as 'clients' who are joining the body to solve problems neither could handle individually you would have the spiritual definition of a co-op.

I know I am a junior in studying anarchism and haven't got a chance to study the FAQ yet but I would love a forgiving opinion of the matter. :D

That is an interesting thought but I am not sure that the co-op nature of the UN is enough to label it anarchistic. All organizations are essentially co-ops. Governments derive their legitimacy and resources from cooperating, sometimes not willingly but nevertheless cooperating, citizens. Corporations produce and invest because of their cooperating, though compensated, employees and stockholders. And so on.

I think, but I am not sure, that anarchist organizations are non-permanent and expect dissolvement in the short-term. The UN on the other hand has a number of goals, many of which wouldn't be successful, if ever, in the short-term. Thus, they are long-term concerns.

Given that, no I wouldn't call the UN anarchistic.

i give it a qualified 'sort of'. but not as a co-op. it is closer to being sort of like a bottom-up federation based on free association of its members. but only sort of.

I think, but I am not sure, that anarchist organizations are non-permanent and expect dissolvement in the short-term.

nah. i mean, there are some who hold that position, but they are idiots and are more interested in figuring out who is more punk rock than who than they are in creating a free society.