Oddbean new post about login | logout I don't know about the opinions of groups, but personally I see the UN as a toothless organization that has political power and very little physical power. When push comes to shove they are useless. There have been instances in which they were on tbe ground near a massacre and could do nothing about it. Historically they have allowed Israel to get away with war crimes because of US voting in the UN. I can't recall any specifics, but there have been numerous votes where everyone except Israel and the US voted on the other side of a resolution. Ultimately I am unsure that any global organization can maintain legitimacy over the long run.
IMHO it is a good thing that they are toothless. Otherwise we would end up with one world government. The U.N. best serves as a point for global negotiation. The U.N. can organise collective action of member states.
We are on the same page not wanting a one world government. I don't know enough about the UN's policies and historical actions to say if they have been beneficial or if they have just maintained the status quo.
The UN has an army. Think again on the 'powerless' bit...
There are numerous accounts of that army standing by and observing genocidal massacres taking place. I am not familiar with any examples of them engaging in battle in a meaningful way.