Introduction: two false dawns. 1. 1945 - At the end of the Second World War the United nations was set up, in the opening words of the Charter, 'to save suceeding generations from the scourge of war'. It was hoped that states would act together, through the new organisation, to prevent further conflicts. this lecture debates the areas of intervention and non-intervention.

At the end of the Second World War the United Nations was set up, in the opening words of its Charter, "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war". It was hoped that states would act together, through the new organisation, to prevent further conflicts. The unstated assumption was that such conflicts were most likely to be caused by aggression of one state against another, as had happened in the 1930s, and that aggression could in future be deterred by perpetuating the coalition of anti-fascist powers which had just defeated Germany and Japan. This coalition was institutionalised in the Security Council, with China, France, the Soviet Union, UK and US as permanent members. Chapter V of the Charter laid down the composition, functions and procedures of the Council, which was given "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security", all members agreeing that "in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the Security Council acts on their behalf" (Article 24.1). Its specific powers were laid down in Chapters VI (Pacific Settlement of Disputes), VII (Action with respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression), VIII (Regional Arrangements) and XII (International Trusteeship System)."