Legitimising military force

Organised by

• Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
• GGP: Global Governance Programme
• Decentering Eurocentrism

This research project explains how major powers can obtain United Nations Security Council (UNSC) approval for their military interventions, when some of the council’s veto-wielding permanent members such as Russia and China are at first hesitant or opposed. UNSC approval remains the gold standard for legitimate and legal military intervention; consequently, it is highly desirable for would-be interveners. However, in an era of growing rivalries among the major powers, it has become increasingly difficult for any of them to obtain UNSC approval. Drawing on a detailed examination of past success stories as well as failures, and using recently declassified documents, I theorize various pressure and reassurance strategies that would-be military interveners can employ to build up support at the UNSC. I also discuss in what sequence and specific conjunctions these strategies can achieve maximum impact. I illustrate the argument through a brief discussion of U.S. efforts to obtain UNSC approval for the use of force in the 1990s.