WHAT SHOULD THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS BE?

THE BACKGROUND OF UNITED NATION - by Ahpiramii


Since it was establishment in 1945, the United Nations has been active in broad areas including peace-keeping, the North-South problem, social and human rights issues. Following the progress made in East-West dialogue and other recent changes in the international situation, it has improved its activities while its roles and responsibilities are being expanded. In the area of peace-keeping, in specifically, the United Nations has played an important role in Namibia achieving independence which is the last colony in Africa plus in the general elections held in Nicaragua in February 1990. The peace-keeping operations of the United Nations, traditionally to observe the activities, and have expanded into more wide-ranging of activities including observation of elections, as occasioned by its operations in Namibia. In August 1990, the U.N. Security Council decided on comprehensive and compulsory agreements, for the first time in the past 22 years against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. At the same time, international cooperation extended through the United Nations and its organizations has become ever more important in dealing with global issues such as drugs and the environment. 

The Soviet Union, which had previously had not been active in U.N. activities, has shifted its position toward attaching importance to them under the Gorbachev Administration. Similarly, the United States under the Bush Administration has proved its cooperative attitude with the U.N, demonstrating that it will pay up its arrears to the U.N. In this connection, at the 44th session of the General Assembly in 1989, the United States and the Soviet Union co-sponsored a resolution which called for the strengthening of the roles of the United Nations in international peace, security, and international cooperation. This was the first joint proposal ever made by the two countries in the history of United Nation.

At the same time the United Nations still has its problems including difficulties in financial and organizational improvement in economic fields. Tackling these problems will be very important for the U.N. in winning the confidence of the international community in the future. Also the new trend in the world away from conflict toward dialogue makes necessary a review of the systems and functions of the United Nations.

Since joining the world body in 1956, Japan has all along placed cooperation with the United Nations as a major pillar of its negotiation. It has cooperated in U.N. activities in a wide range of areas, making the second largest financial contributions among the member States next only to the United States. For instance, Japan has been actively supporting the United Nations University and the International Tropical Timber Organization, helping them set up their head offices in Japan. 



THE ROLE AND PURPOSE OF UNITED NATION - Nevettha

The ideas
Specifically, the UN summarizes its role in the following terms. Its purposes are:

•  To maintain international peace and security 

• To develop friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples 

• To cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms

• To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these common ends.

Its principles are:

• It is based on the sovereign equality of all its members
•  All members are to fulfil in good faith their Charter obligations
• They are to settle their international disputes by peaceful means, and without endangering international peace and security, and justice
• They are to refrain from the threat or use of force against any other state
• They are to give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the Charter, and shall not assist states against which the United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement action
• Nothing in the Charter is to authorise the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state.

THE ROLE 

This idealistic expression of the aims and purposes of the UN needs to be set against what has been possible, given the limits placed on the organisation by the most powerful states in it. The principles of the organisation make it clear that, if the UN is to work, the individual members must fulfil the obligations they undertake. Unlike the Concert of Europe, the UN is a permanent structure, but 'it is an extension to the states system, not an alternative to it'. Next, it is an organisation of equal sovereign states and indeed all states in the General Assembly have one vote regardless of size or wealth. However, in the Security Council, which is the only organ with binding powers, some states are more equal than others.

The UN is not an autonomous agent making decisions separate from the power politics of the world. Thirdly, the victorious powers and allies of World War II, have a veto power and therefore their interests are supreme when decisions are made on what actions the UN will take and how well resourced such action will be. From 1945 to 1990, the Cold War ensured that all conflicts around the world were translated into tests of one or other of the superpowers and this precluded action in all but exceptional cases, such as Korea. As a result of the power of the Permanent Five in the Security Council, the UN has been prevented from acting on any matters that affect them or their interests, for example in Tibet, Chechnya or Central America. Moreover, the organization, on the decision of the members, particularly the most powerful member the United States, has been deprived of funds, for both peacekeeping and for its humanitarian functions. On the one hand, the hope that the UN might provide a solution to the problems of war and injustice has been dashed for many people. Besides that, there is confusion over the UNs role and the place of the nation state within it. 

In this inquiry, a large number of submissions voiced criticisms that reflect this disillusionment with the UN. It was claimed that the UN was a world government and that this resulted in the destruction of our national sovereignty. The elements of this destruction, it was argued, lay in the treaty system, the International Criminal Court, the demand for a standing army or even for peacekeeping forces. These submissions appeared to believe that the old system of bilateral arrangements between states should be untouchable and that the UN, through its existence and its activities, was the source of what were perceived to be fundamentally sinister changes in international relations. They viewed multilateral treaties, not as useful agreements freely entered into, but as attempts by some outside force to control the country. Additional complaints were made about the cost and inefficiency of the UN. These criticisms about the nature and role of the UN will be addressed in this and subsequent chapters.

Many of these critical submissions were expressions of fear and uncertainty in the face of rapid changes, particularly changes that undermined the efficacy of existing institutions and structures. The committee believes that these concerns are understandable, but unwarranted as far as the role of the UN is concerned. At any time, international relations are dynamic; the rules, conventions and practices of international relations are embedded in history, but change as circumstances change and the members of the international community decide on different approaches to the resolution of conflict or mutual problems. History has shown that systems decay and are replaced or rejuvenated.

POLITICAL ACTIVITIES - by Rohani

In January 1989, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution to implement in April the resolution to establish the U.N. Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) and called for material and employees support from member countries. In November, a legal assembly election was held under observation of the UNTAG. As a result, Namibia became independent in March 1990 and joined the United Nations in April.

Japan provided a $46 million special contribution to the UN-TAG as well as a $13,550,000 voluntary contribution as startup costs to purchase automobiles and other equipment. Also, Japan sent 27 election observers and a supporting staff. Japan's supply of workers was highly rated by the international community as representing the country's beginning of its full-scale support in the U.N. peacekeeping operations.

The situation in the full of territories, which get worse, became a major focus of the Middle East discussions at the U.N. General Assembly and Security Council. The 44th session of the General Assembly in 1989 passed, by a majority vote, an "intifada" (uprising) resolution critical Israel's policy on the occupied territories, an action which proven to a high degree of concern among countries about this issue. In a related development, the Security Council resolved again, as it did in July and August of 1989, that Israel's rejection of Palestinians from 'the occupied territories disturbed the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

Regarding the emigration of the Jews from the Soviet Union which became a major issue in 1990, the U.N. Security Council held a session at the request of the Soviet Union between March through May 1990. But too bad, no resolution has been implemented.

Also, regarding the treatment of a resolution by the Security Council on the killings of Palestinian laborers by a retired soldier of the Israeli National Defense Forces on May 20, 1990, differences overcome among parties concerned. 

Another development was a proposal made to improve the PLO's status in the United Nations and help it obtain memberships in specialized agencies. Japan, which does not recognize the PLO as a state, takes a stand basically that such a proposal will not favor the peace process in the Middle East.

After the critical issues in August 1988, the U.N. Secretary-General has hosted four Iran-Iraqi Foreign Ministers meetings in 1988 and 1989, but no significant progress has been made.

During the peace negotiations, over which the U.N. Secretary-General presided, practically no debate took place on the issue at the General Assembly and Security Council. In February 1990, however, the Chairman of the Security Council issued a statement in support of the peace efforts by the Secretary-General. 

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES – by Syarmin

International Decade for Natural Disaster Decrease

Regarding the International Decade for Natural Disaster Decrease, in which Japan plays a central role, the 44th U.N. General Assembly adopted, by agreement, a resolution on International Framework of Action. The resolution cosponsored by as many as 155 out of a total of 159 member countries declared the start of the decade as of January 1990, provided for the establishment of a special high-level council, a scientific and technological committee, a secretariat, and a trust fund.

HUMAN RIGHT ACTIVITIES

Japan, maintaining a basic position that human rights possess a universal value of mankind and that they form the basis of the world's peace and stability, has actively taken part in U.N. activities related to human rights for the protection and promotion of human rights in the world. In May 1990, Japan was re-elected as a member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

At the U.N. General Assembly in 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by consensus. At the same time, the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aiming at the abolition of the death penalty was adopted. A large number of countries including Japan voted against or abstained because the protocol mandates the abolishment of capital punishment while there has been no international consensus on the issue.

On the other hand, changes in East-West relations have led to a marked decrease in the deliberations on human rights issues in Eastern countries, while attention has been drawn to developing countries. For instance, the human rights situation in Myanmar was taken up at the U.N. General Assembly in 1989 and the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. Heated discussions ensued over a resolution related to human rights issues in China following the Tienanmen Square Incident.

THE FINANCIAL CRISIS- by Saranya

The United Nations is in chronic financial difficulties. As of the end of 1989, the total amount of assessed contributions in arrears was approximately $46,116,000, which accounted for nearly 40% of the U.N. general budget. The Soviet Union, which had accumulated a large amount of contributions in arrears, has gradually changed its policy and has begun paying off the arrears in stages. In contrast, the default by the United States continued and accounted for about 80% of the total amount of the contributions in arrears to the U.N.

However, partly in view of the progress made in the administrative and financial reforms of the United Nations, the U.S. Government has since decided to pay up its share excepting the part which the U.S. has been refusing to pay for political reasons. According to its budget message for fiscal 1991, the U.S. Government budgeted the full amount of its assessed contributions to all the international organizations it is party to for the year 1990, and plans to pay off the outstanding arrears to international organizations and to the U.N. peace-keeping operations over the next five years. When these payments are completed, the financial position of the U.N. system will improve significantly.

CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, in order to strengthen the role of the United Nations, efforts should be made to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The authority of the Security Council in maintaining international peace and security must be preserved and role of the United Nations in development area should be strengthened. To strengthen the role of the United Nations, it is essential to ensure to all Member States of the United Nations the right to equal participation in international affairs and the rights and interests of the developing countries should be safeguarded.

REFERENCES

Anon, (2016). [online] Available at: https://www.ukessays.com/essays/politics/role-of-the-united-nations-in-conflict-resolution-politics-essay.php [Accessed 5 May 2016].

Academia.edu. (2016). United Nations Argument Essay. [online] Available at: https://www.academia.edu/2972830/United_Nations_Argument_Essay [Accessed 5 May 2016].

Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. (2016). Many Languages, One World 2016 Student Essay Contest and Global Youth Forum. [online] Available at: http://www.un.org/youthenvoy/2016/01/many-languages-one-world-2016-student-essay-contest-and-global-youth-forum/ [Accessed 5 May 2016].

Mofa.go.jp. (2016). Roles of the United Nations and Other International Organizations, and Japan's Cooperation. [online] Available at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/1990/1990-2-4.htm [Accessed 5 May 2016].

Un.org. (2016). Role of the Department of Political Affairs | Department of Political Affairs. [online] Available at: http://www.un.org/undpa/en/overview [Accessed 5 May 2016].

The Current Tax System is Unfair To The Middle Class and Lower Income Groups, Do You Agree?

INTRODUCTION- by Rohani

In the 2014 Budget announcement, the Government announced that GST will be implemented in Malaysia effective from April 2015 at the rate of 6 % and this new tax will replace the current Sales and Service Tax (SST). The weakness of the current SST is a high rate of tax prevention. To overcome this problem the Government proposes GST. GST is a broad-based consumption tax, based on the value-added concept and is imposed on a multiple-stage basis. This is a key difference from the current SST which is levied at only one stage, which is the end of the supply chain. Under GST, the tax burden is ultimately borne by the consumer at the time of purchase. Business or firm will not pay GST because after it is registered for the purpose of GST, it will be allowed to claim input tax credit to balance against the GST taxed on the goods or services supplied to its customers. Therefore, the GST boasts a self-policing device, whereby businesses will automatically factor in the GST as part of the selling price on inputs to other manufacturers. This indirectly administers the burden of the GST, while significantly reducing cases of tax avoidance. Business or firm knows that the GST is claimable and will have less reason to avoid tax. Furthermore, GST will not be a cost to business or firm, nor will it appear as an expense in their financial statements because GST shifts the tax burden to the consumers. 



HISTORY OF TAX- by AhpiramiiTax history for more than 2,500 years has focused on two significant issues, namely, who pays and what is taxed. For most of human history, taxes were paid by the poor (peasants, slaves or conquered people). Rulers collected the money from taxation to pay for the cost needed for building public artifacts such as monuments and temples. Some of the money was used to finance warfare. Taxation usually stopped during times of peace. When another war broke out, tax was usually brought back again to fund the war. 

The development of capitalism is associated with the growth of business and the economic structure of Western countries led to further development and enhancement of the taxation structure. By definition, tax is identified as the distribution of wealth in society. Practically, taxation is a mechanism to collect revenue in order for Governments to meet their expenditures. The main purpose of taxation is to accumulate funds for the functioning of the Government. No Government in the world can run its country without taxes, or in other words, a Government can run its country through public funding which is collected in the form of taxes. Therefore, it can be well understood that the purpose of taxation is very simple and obvious for proper functioning of the state. 



WHAT IS GST?- by Ahpiramii 

GST is a tax scheme where the tax is imposed at each phase of the manufacturing process so that each phase brings income to the government. GST is introduced at the beginning of the manufacturing process and is counted in each phase of product or service production and marketing until it reaches the consumer, who pays the tax. GST is collected after the final consumer prices are enforced. Even though GST is enforced at each level of the supply chain, the tax element does not become part of the cost of the product because GST paid on the business inputs is claimable. So, the entire burden of the tax will be allowed by the consumer. GST is a regressive tax, because it taxes on consumption and in terms of the same consumption, people with lower income spend a larger part of their income rather than those with higher income. It seems to burden the low-income households because they have larger marginal propensity to consume and most of their income will be spent on food and requirements.



THE EFFECTS OF GST TOWARDS THE MIDDLE CLASS AND LOWER INCOME GROUPS – by Syarmin and Nevettha

Yes, we agreed that GST has a major impact on the Malaysian society especially for middle class and lower income groups. The implement of Goods and Services Tax (GST) will replace the Malaysian service and sales tax. GST has been implemented in US, Singapore, Thailand and Japan where Malaysia's GST will be charged four percent for buying and selling transactions. The basic food like sugar, flour, and oil are free from GST in Malaysia. GST is a consumption tax where everyone can be charged of all the supplies of goods and services. For example, if the total price of a good is RM10, then consumers will have to pay an extra 40 cents after GST is charged. However, GST will affect the middle and low income group in Malaysia who use their income for basic necessities.

The GST that has been implemented in Malaysia is a regressive tax. In other words, the tax will enforce a smaller burden on those who are richer. It is expected that the lower income earners will pay more GST than the higher income earner. Besides that, it is not possible to make GST a progressive tax and reduce the GST burden on the low and middle-income groups if it is necessary to raise the same amount of tax revenue. Therefore, the low-income households will bear the higher GST tax burden. Other than this, the implementation of GST could raise barriers to social mobility for the lower income households. Low-income households spend more on essential items, such as food and utilities. A tax on food consumption among other things, will further limit the capability to save for many of the lower income households. Without sufficient savings, the poor could face extreme difficulties in collecting assets or have better access to information technology and education.

Furthermore, income support provided to the low-income households would cause upward shift in demand for goods and services, especially basic necessities of life such as food and clothing. To support this upward shift in demand, the production facilities would gradually expand and begin to absorb the idle capital. At the same time, in order to support the increased production, the economy would generate more jobs and new employment opportunities. This added employment in turn would generate more demand for goods and services, more room for additional investments, and finally, the growth cycle based on balance consumption would contribute to a more equitable income distribution and balance economic growth. On the other hand, a research found that the rich will benefit more when GST is implemented because they save more and spend less while the lower income groups have larger marginal propensity to consume. Low- income households have very little savings and a large share of their income is spent on essential items, such as food and utilities. Therefore, low-income households are sensitive to fluctuations in income and commodity-related revenue. In addition, informal sector earnings are unstable and make the poor more vulnerable to price shocks in the economy.

A study shows that low-income households are worried that GST because it will increase the prices of goods in the near future and living costs will increase significantly when GST is implemented. The empirical study by UOB Global Economics & Market Research compared the impact of GST in Singapore, Japan, Thailand and Australia, and found that GST has a short-term impact on consumer price index (CPI). GST increases the CPI and inflation rates return to long-term averages in the years after GST implementation. Furthermore, the study also indicated that private consumption spending could be reduced after the implementation of the GST.



CONCLUSION- by Saranya

GST is a regressive tax and imposes a burden on end-user consumers of products. GST seems to have a negative impact as lower income earners pay more tax than higher income earners. It promotes inflation which reduces the purchasing power of consumers, and raises barriers to upward social mobility for the lower income households. In the long run, inflation may trigger higher interest rates and dampen private investment as well as overall economic growth. On the other hand, implementation of zakat has a positive effect on aggregate demand and spending pattern of low-income households. There are two separate arguments fundamental these claims. 

The government will try to neutralise the higher cost of living for the lower income group through various forms of direct and indirect financial assistance including BR1M and reducing income tax rates. However, this is probably not going to fully recover the GST impact.

The other good news is that tax cheating or leakages will greatly be reduced as everyone has to pay taxes the moment they spend money, whether they are criminals, income tax evaders or foreigners.


REFERENCES

Google.com. (2016). Google. [online] Available at: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=the+impact+of+gst+in+malaysia+lower+income+groups [Accessed 3 May 2016].

Anon, (2016). [online] Available at: http://www.treasury.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2761:what-is-the-impact-of-gst-on-economy-consumption-stimulates-the-economy-but-people-may-not-want-to-consume-spend-as-much-if-they-are-taxed-for-it&catid=506&Itemid=2493&lang=en [Accessed 3 May 2016].

Reporters, F. and Shukry, A. (2013). ‘GST will benefit the rich, hurt the poor’. [online] Free Malaysia Today. Available at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/10/22/gst-will-benefit-the-rich-hurt-the-poor%E2%80%99/ [Accessed 3 May 2016].

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/three-letters-one-taxing-burden-for-malaysians