UN. 12 Marks The United Nations was formed in 1945 with varied aims and objectives from peace and security to economic and social development whilst NATO was formed in 1949 with a primary security focus There is a clear difference in role and significance as the United Nations has a far wider collection of aims and objectives and greater involvement in global decision making than NATO which had a far narrower role as a collective security organisation to defend against communism NATO was created as a regional body covering North America and part of Europe (30 members in 2020)- the UN has almost global membership – (193 members in 2020 ) With only a regional membership, NATO clearly has to have a narrower role with less legitimacy than the United Nations which has a global significance with almost all states acting as members and participating in the actions of the organisation so enhancing its legitimacy The United Nations has a range of bodies from judicial such as the ICJ to environmental such as the IPCC as part of the UNFCCC and health ie the WHO Unlike the UN with its wide range of bodies, NATO role and significance is focussed primarily and more narrowly on a military, defence capability role and excludes involvement in other wider areas of significance which limits its role in comparison Almost all states are UN members and are committed to the organisation and show support to its actions whereas NATO membership/commitment/support is limited to a smaller number of states and is criticised by numerous states including Russia In comparison with the UN, the role and significance of NATO is bound to be limited by reduced membership and the criticism that it receives from certain countries who argue that it has served its original role and purpose and now lacks legitimacy, acting as an expression of Western power and influence Decision making in the United Nations Security Council is subject to a complex process with some member states holding the power of veto and able, in certain circumstances, to overrule other states whereas NATO voting is based on consensus Whereas decision making in the United Nations can lead to states being overruled, which leads to questions about its legitimacy, there is a need to accept agreement in NATO given that there is a need for consensus which can undermine the role and significance of the organisation as it has to accept the expression of the collective will of all of the sovereign members.