Professor Werner RUF, Political Scientist, Germany
The collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 considerably changed the balance of power in the international society. The relatively “stable” equilibrium between the world leading superpowers collapsed, thus inaugurating a new era in international relations. Since then, a « de facto » unipolarity seems to have emerged, even if the post-cold war era has experienced the take off of some emerging States such as South Korea, India, China, In fact, no great changes have been noticed in the international regime. The rules of the game have remained unchanged regardless of the major changes that have been recorded on the international “play ground”.
Face to such a questionable “conservatism”, scientists and political leaders from the north as well as from the south have been calling for a reconsideration of the current international law instruments, particularly at the UN level. The reform of the Security Council and the admission of new permanent members have been one of the most recurrent proposals.
Professor Werner Ruf who was the holder of the Chair of International Relations at the department of Political Science of the University of Kassel (Germany) for decades before retiring in 2002. He is one of those researchers who have always criticised the UN- machinery. His main point of concern has been the lack of democracy in the UN-decision making process, the unbalance of power within the UN- system, and last but not least, the instrumentalization of the institution by the dominating members of the UN Security Council.
We have decided to consider Professor Werner Ruf as the scholar of the month because the current situation in Africa does testify the relevance of his analysis and criticism against the UN system. Indeed, the UN military intervention in Ivory Cost (spring 2011) and the recent NATO intervention in Lybia with their accompanying “collateral” effects prove once more that the reform of the UN- system is a matter of emergency. We hereby formulate the wish that ideas and proposals presented by Professor Ruf in his book published in 1994 be taken into consideration by decision makers.
One of his important publications about the UN-system in the post-cold war context:
Werner, Ruf: Die neue Welt-UN-Ordnung. Vom Umgang des Sicherheitsrates mit der Souveränität der « Dritten Welt », Agenda-Verlag Münster 1994, 239 S.
More information about the research works of Professor Werner Ruf could be obtained at the following link: www.werner-ruf.net
Marie-Soleil Frère: Elections and the Media in Post-Conflict Africa (Book) Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – 2011 Call for Proposals
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