Reforming the United Nations Security Council: Increasing Equality in the International Arena

The United Nations Security Council and the international system of multilateralism are in a predicament. The Council’s structure ensures dialogue between the geopolitical powers and excludes Global South actors from the same dialogue. While this dialogue decreases tensions between big powers, most UN member states increasingly oppose the Council’s inadequate adaptation to current geopolitical realities. There is widespread agreement about the need for reform, mainly to increase Global South representation on the Council. However, the path to reform is complicated by opposition from the Council’s permanent members and disagreement among the primary advocates for increased Global South inclusion. While the prospect of reforming the Council to alter the current geopolitical imbalance significantly is bleak, progressive actors should work to set aside policy differences and unite behind reform proposals that press the issue of increasing Global South inclusion.