ABSTRACT
Historically when members of the United Nations renounced narrow national interests in the interest of universal common needs, international peace and security were strengthened. The United Nations was created in 1945 as an instrument of law and order, to preserve international peace and security. It is evident that UN peacekeeping operations have become a very different sort of activity from that which was planned in 1945 as the U.N.'s main contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security. Despite the obstacles erected by the Cold War, UN peacekeeping forces were often successful in their missions. With the end of the Cold War the superpowers have drawn closer to each other in their understanding of both international law and politics. Nevertheless, it is more or less evident that member states are prepared to consider making collective decisions in the field of international peace and security.
