United Nations

Summary Information

• Category: Official
• Political Power: 8
• Military Power: 6
• Economic Power: 4
• Size: 5

Comments

The UN maintains the General Assembly (at which every colony and power has a seat), and the Security Council. The General Assembly maintains the powers historically given that body, while the composition and rules under which the Security Council operates have changed. While there are still only five permanent member seats, (NAC, NSL, ESU, FSE, Japan), the PAU, IF, and OU also retain seats on the Security Council on a regular basis. As well, the power of the permanent member veto has changed -- a permanent member veto can be overriden by a four/fifths majority vote of the rest of the council. (12 votes out of the 15 seats available.)

The UN Secretariat has expanded to include its own UN forces (the UNSC is an example of this), and its own governing body for UN citizens and property.

The UN budget depends heavily on contributions from member nations, though there are revenue generating streams within the UN. These are mostly based on licensed technologies and the UN Courier and Communication Service.

Currently, the UN maintains stability over the Inner Systems, moderating the moods of the Great Powers. This has proven more difficult over time because of the anger generated over the Third Solar War. However, the peace generally holds in the Inner Systems -- all the powers have seen the damage orbital bombardment can bring, and none want to contemplate the loss of life if Alpha Centauri, Mars, or even Earth herself were to come under sustained bombardment. The threat of UNSC reprisal also gives pause to the more hawkish factions among the powers.

Thus, the UN survives by being balanced among the Great Powers of the GZG world, with the support of many of the independents (who's only real opportunity to speak on Humanity's stage comes at the UN.) The UN keeps the peace by maintaining the balance of power among all the Great Powers. This means the UN leads a very exciting and very dangerous life.

Editorial Notes

That being said, there have been references to both their modularity, and their technological superiority compared to the rest of the 'human powers.' This is counter-balanced by their lack of size, financial resources, and their need to avoid offending the major powers.

Any combat against UNSC ships will be fought with uncertainties, since the modular design of their ships will mean different weapons systems may be available in different encounters. Their technological edge, while not decisive, could also give reason for caution, since there have been many suggestions that UNSC ships carry Heavy Beam Weapons of B5:EFSB fame.

Ground combat will be a little safer, though UNSC troopers will probably more heavily armed then comparable groups.

For More Information

Unofficial UN Fleet Roster (Mark Kochte) - http://www.bcpl.net/~indy/full-thrust/un_roster.html

Author and Contributors