ABSTRACT
The use of force is the ultimate collective security enforcement mechanism. Coercive operations do not follow peacekeeping norms of consent, neutrality, and self-defense. They are not engaged in peace-building functions in post-conflict situations. When the Council authorizes the use of force, it explicitly becomes a combatant in conflicts in order to punish those who threaten international peace and security (Roberts 2004). Whether to authorize the use of force is thus the most difficult decision the Council can make. The veto powers often disagree about which circumstances merit the use of force. These disputes again generally follow the pattern of the United States favoring more hierarchical arrangements than the other veto powers.
