How has veto power affected world events?

In one line

The rule

Veto power is the special right given to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to block any substantive resolution, even if all other members agree.

There is no formula, but the rule is: If any one of the five permanent members (P5) — China, France, Russia, the UK, or the USA — votes 'no' on a main issue, the proposal does not pass.

Let's understand it simply

Imagine you and four friends are deciding what game to play. Even if everyone except one wants to play cricket, if that one friend says "No, I don't want to," the group cannot play cricket. That one friend has a special power to stop the plan. This is like veto power at the United Nations. The five big countries have this power. If any one of them uses it, the plan is blocked, no matter how many others agree.

How it works

1. The United Nations Security Council discusses a big issue (like war, peace, or sanctions).
2. All 15 members (5 permanent, 10 temporary) vote on a resolution (decision).
3. At least 9 out of 15 must vote 'yes' for it to pass.
4. But if even one of the P5 (permanent five) votes 'no', the resolution fails — this is the veto.
5. If a P5 member abstains (does not vote yes or no), the resolution can still pass.
6. This means any one P5 country can stop the UN from acting, even if all others agree.

The story behind it

After World War II, the United Nations was created in 1945 to keep peace. The five main winners of the war — the USA, UK, France, Russia (then USSR), and China — were given permanent seats and veto power. They wanted to make sure no big action happened without their agreement. The idea was to keep these powerful countries inside the UN system, so they would talk instead of fight. But it also meant these countries could block actions they did not like.

Where you see it in real life

• Syrian Civil War (since 2011): Russia and China have used their vetoes to block action against the Syrian government, stopping UN intervention.
• Israel-Palestine conflicts: The USA has often used its veto to block resolutions critical of Israel.
• South Africa (apartheid era): The UK and USA used their vetoes to delay sanctions against South Africa in the 1980s.
• Ukraine crisis (2022 onwards): Russia has vetoed resolutions condemning its actions in Ukraine.
• Kashmir issue: Some resolutions about Kashmir have not passed because of the threat of veto by P5 members.
• Genocide in Rwanda (1994): The Security Council could not act strongly because of disagreements and possible vetoes.

Why it matters

• Stops quick action: The UN cannot act fast in crises if a P5 country disagrees.
• Protects P5 interests: Big countries can block actions that go against their friends or themselves.
• Creates frustration: Many countries feel powerless when one country blocks the will of the majority.
• Shapes world politics: Countries try to get P5 support before bringing issues to the UN.
• Affects peace and security: Sometimes, needed help or peacekeeping is delayed or stopped.

Worked example

Let’s see how a veto works:

Given: 15 Security Council members, 5 are P5 (USA, UK, France, Russia, China)
Step 1: A resolution to send peacekeepers to a country is proposed.
Step 2: 14 countries vote 'yes', 1 (Russia) votes 'no'.
Step 3: Because Russia is a P5 member, its 'no' is a veto.
Step 4: The resolution fails, even though 14 out of 15 wanted it.

Common mistakes

• Thinking all countries have veto: Only the five permanent members have it, not all UN members.
• Believing abstaining is a veto: Not voting 'yes' or 'no' (abstaining) is not a veto; only a 'no' from P5 counts.
• Assuming veto is always used: P5 use it only when their interests are at stake, not on every issue.
• Forgetting veto blocks only main issues: Veto applies to important decisions, not to small or procedural matters.

Remember it

One 'no' from a big five country at the UN can stop the whole world’s plan.