Microstates and the United Nations

The United Nations has many microstate members. As of 1980, microstates made up one-quarter of the United Nations membership.[1] The European microstates of Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and San Marino were accepted into the U.N. by acclamation from 1990–1993.[2]

Controversy

Microstates' U.N. membership has been controversial, on the grounds that their ability to participate in U.N. discussions and decisions and contribute meaningfully to the goals of the organization is limited. For example, the Maldives, when admitted to the U.N., had a population of only about 100,000 and did not have a delegation present at the U.N. when United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 was voted on, giving mainland China representation in place of Taiwan.[3] One concern with regard to admitting microstates to membership is "debasement of the coinage of membership" and loss of prestige of the organization.[4] Another concern is that a warship, or an airplane-load of mercenaries, could easily establish effective control over an island microstate, with the vote in the U.N. General Assembly, which serves as a sounding board for "world public opinion", being an enticement to gain dominance over such a country.[5]

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References
  1. "The demography of micro-states". World Development. 8 (12): 953–962. 1980. ISSN 0305-750X.
  2. https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/79466/snydrism.pdf;sequence=1
  3. Mini-States and a More Effective United Nations Schwebel, Stephen M. The American Journal of International Law, 1 January 1973, Vol.67(1), pp.108-116
  4. 9 Colum. J. Transnat'l L. 23 (1970) Microstates in the United Nations: A Broader Purpose
  5. Trouble in the Islands: Defending the Micro-States Quester, George H. International Security, 1 October 1983, Vol.8(2), pp.160-175
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