In 2022 there were twelve ongoing United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world. Since the founding of the UN in 1945, more than a million men and women have worn the blue helmets of the international peacekeepers. The United States is the largest contributor to UN operations, paying about a quarter of the costs. Other rich countries pay smaller shares; all 193 members of the UN pay something.
Another thought-provoking post, Bill. It reminds me of Brands's 5th Law of History: Sooner or later, countries get the foreign policies they can afford (Poor countries bend to fate; rich countries try to change it). It seems like it could also tie in to Brands's 7th Law: Even monsters sleep well (The capacity for self-justification is boundless). The powers that help keep world peace could be viewed as "monsters" by the countries where UN forces are sent. Alas, I'll just have to wait until you write about Brands's 7th Law to find out. I share the original list of Brands's Laws (1-9) with my students at the start of every year/semester to help frame historical thinking, and they quite enjoy them
Thanks, Jake. Maybe I'll put all the laws together in a small book.
Another thought-provoking post, Bill. It reminds me of Brands's 5th Law of History: Sooner or later, countries get the foreign policies they can afford (Poor countries bend to fate; rich countries try to change it). It seems like it could also tie in to Brands's 7th Law: Even monsters sleep well (The capacity for self-justification is boundless). The powers that help keep world peace could be viewed as "monsters" by the countries where UN forces are sent. Alas, I'll just have to wait until you write about Brands's 7th Law to find out. I share the original list of Brands's Laws (1-9) with my students at the start of every year/semester to help frame historical thinking, and they quite enjoy them
I would like to see Professor Brands' other 7 Laws of History.