International Security and Multilateralism: International Organizations and Intervention in Libia

Abstract

Since the end of World War II multilateralism has been the way through which states have faced threats against peace and international security, enforcing actions according to the Security Council (SC) prescriptions and the United Nations (UN) Charter. Nevertheless the performance of international organizations (IO) in the response to those threats has been criticized. Beyond ethical considerations on whether or not humanitarian interventions should be undertaken, the paper aims to examine if multilateralism is facing a crisis, specifically addressing its efficiency, legitimacy and equality, especially in the decision making process as well as in the enforcement of institutional decisions. The role of IO in the intervention in Libya is offered as a case study.