ABSTRACT
Americans have become increasingly skeptical about the importance and effectiveness of the United Nations. The United States is a community composed of many nationalities, peacefully cooperating under the aegis of a democratic charter of free government. America's success seems to validate the idea that respect for the rule of law and a basic charter of representative, democratic institutions can tame the tendency toward violence among people from diverse nations. According to this view, US participation in the United Nations is important mainly as an opportunity to work for better relations with other member countries. In the political field Western democracies, and in particular the United States, come in for frequent condemnation by name. In the economic and social areas the United States, and the free democracies in general, enjoy natural advantages. The United States government should therefore pay close attention to UN personnel questions, particularly where leadership positions are concerned.
