Influencing peace: The impact of ethnocentrism in United Nations peacekeeping operations

Abstract

Since the end of the Cold War, the United Nations has been working to adapt its peacekeeping missions to the changing conflict environment. However, it still faces several key challenges in its approach to its peacekeeping missions. As the UN operates within increasingly complex conflict environments, it requires greater funding, more resources, and further commitment from its member states. The UN Security Council, which controls the design and implementation of peacekeeping operations, is dominated by the P5 nations of the US, the UK, France, China, and Russia. While the UNSC's failings are often discussed, this dissertation attempts to address a gap in the literature by exploring the foundational influences on the UN within the context of ethnocentrism. The concept of ethnocentrism is fundamental to the functioning of global society, as it influences international relations and structure. The presence of ethnocentrism promotes exploitative practices and the belief in dominance over other groups. This study addresses the UN's political challenges in its capability to engage in peacekeeping operations, within an ethnocentric framework, by focusing on UN documents, independent reports, secondary literature, and analysing voting patterns, mandate structure, and financial contributions. The findings...