ABSTRACT
The proper way of doing things is based on the notion that effective and legitimate states remain the most solid foundation for international society, despite the fact that the reality of the post-Cold War world has frequently seen the opposite. This has however also meant that the organisation has become associated with global governance as a coherent hegemonic project and an attempt to legitimate and consolidate the dominant, neo-liberal norms of globalisation. By treating them as legitimate players the United Nations then gave them legitimacy. The real problem is that operations evolve; and in terms of making decisions a normal military would have a set of contingencies. This potential excuse for inaction must be avoided at all costs particularly at a time when military overstretch and the prioritisation of strategic concerns to the virtual exclusion of humanitarian ones is the sad reality of a post-9/11 world.
