Global Political Instability and the Future of the UN

Introduction: The Scale of Global Political Instability

Since 1946, many international organizations, including the United Nations, have been involved in bringing peace and stability to different parts of the world experiencing unrest. Factors such as poor policies, ineffective legal procedures, economic and political schemes, and religious disagreements all contribute to instability (Rhoads 2016, p. 54). There are growing levels of terrorism, conflict, and the toppling of regimes in the Middle East and parts of Africa today. Over the last five years, evidence shows that at least one or more countries on every continent have experienced an increase in short-term political risks.

Governments are at the forefront of these dynamics, asserting control over natural resources even as uprisings attempt to overthrow regimes and seize those resources. Foreign investors are being expropriated amid selfish interests from local individuals and political movements. Political instabilities have therefore continued to rank among the most pressing global problems. However, they can be significantly managed through integrated methods tailored to each specific context of unrest.

Leadership, Prejudice, and the Denial of Rights

In some African countries, political interests have been exacerbated by leadership and governance that is resistant to change. Although leaders may resist change in the name of political stability and national interest, such resistance ultimately generates instability in different parts of the world. Some leaders cling to power based on the opinions and endorsements of narrow interest groups, which itself becomes a source of political instability. A change of leadership opens the door to new dispensations, most of which are called for by the majority of the population. It is easy for a country to plunge into political instability when a president or any leader refuses to relinquish power once their legitimate term has ended. Many countries in Asia and Africa have suffered these consequences, experiencing ongoing political instability because leaders have remained in office long after their official mandates expired. Syria today is experiencing fierce political instability in part because its current president has refused to step down in response to calls from the common majority. People enter into rivalry and conflict with those supporting the defiant leader, resulting in unending political unrest.

Political instability also remains a major global issue due to high levels of prejudice within different countries. Hatred is a powerful force that divides people internally, and it will persist if appropriate measures are not formulated and implemented. In many African countries, severe forms of prejudice have led to deadly political events that are difficult to contain. Kenya, for example, experienced political instability in 2007 because of internal prejudice among its citizens, stemming from a disputed election result (Rhoads 2016, p. 21). Such prejudices have been expressed across racial, political, social, cultural, and religious lines. As long as these biases remain rooted in societies, political unrest will continue to be a global concern (Iqbal and Starr 2016, pp. 54–76).

A significant portion of political instability in the world today also arises from the violation and deprivation of people's rights and freedoms. In most cases, these violations are committed by governments and armed groups trampling on the rights of others. In Syria, the rights and freedoms of ordinary people have been almost entirely eroded, and citizens are fighting back to reclaim them. In many Middle Eastern countries, the individual freedoms and rights of women, children, and religious groups have been overshadowed and disrespected, driving people into states of political unrest. In Somalia and Nigeria, violations of citizens' rights have fueled the emergence of militia groups seeking retaliation, triggering further cycles of violence. Unrest will not end as long as the rights and freedoms of people remain unprotected.

Corruption, Electoral Fraud, and Suppression of Opposition

One of the most pervasive causes of political unrest globally is poor governance leading to corruption and mismanagement of public wealth. It is highly unlikely that any country experiencing widespread corruption — or even limited cases of it — will achieve lasting stability. Globally, corruption has led to internal disputes and conflicts that have thrown countries into a state of imbalance. Corrupt leadership is resisted by all available means. Corruption operates both internally and externally, and participating forces often publicly claim to fight it while perpetuating it behind the scenes. Corruption therefore remains one of the central reasons political instability is rampant today. It threatens both major and minor economies; even countries with relatively strong political systems can experience a collapse driven by it. It is thus essential to block every likely pathway to corruption as a means of reducing political imbalances in any society.

Developed and developing economies alike face the threat of instability arising from biased political processes and management systems. When elections are not free and fair, political instabilities follow. Unfair elections characterized by vote-rigging and intimidation before and during polling are clear recipes for violence and disputes. Some countries today are suffering political instabilities directly because of biased elections. Even where elections are formally conducted, political instabilities can persist because incumbents frequently use their position to influence outcomes and remain in power. With aggrieved citizens feeling cheated, the possibility of violence cannot be dismissed. The apparent slow response by the international community in addressing such situations often aggravates matters, resulting in the deaths of innocent civilians. This approach by the UN and other key players in international relations must change.

In many countries, political leadership is also in conflict with the opposition. The opposition is commonly suppressed through intimidation, segregation, death threats, and actual killings. Supporters of opposition movements are subjected to the same treatment, provoking reactions that lead to further conflicts and unrest. In some countries, members of opposing political movements have become targets of violence and prosecution. This has led to rampant political instability and civil unrest, as the political freedoms of citizens and entire parties are steadily eroded.