This thesis investigates the impact of effectiveness on legitimacy within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), focusing on their roles in...Show moreThis thesis investigates the impact of effectiveness on legitimacy within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), focusing on their roles in addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Employing institutionalism theory and a mixed-methods approach that combines comparative institutional study, public perceptions analysis and semi-structured interviews, the study highlights the challenges and areas for reform to enhance effectiveness and legitimacy. The findings reveal that the Council’s effectiveness is hindered by structural flaws, such as limited representation and permanent members’ veto power, which negatively affect its legitimacy, as trust in its capacity to maintain peace and security declines. The Court exhibits procedural rigour and higher legitimacy due to its impartiality and adherence to international law. Nevertheless, reliance on voluntary compliance and the protracted nature of fulfilling its mandate limits its practical impact. The study underscores the interplay between effectiveness and legitimacy, showing that procedural fairness can sustain legitimacy among intentional community. Recommendations include expanding the Council’s representation, revising veto power, and enhancing ICJ enforcement capacities. By addressing these challenges, the study advocates for a more equitable international order capable of maintaining peace and justice in a multiplex world.Show less
This thesis compares the effects of NATO’s out-of-area operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan to analyze what effect geographical distance of operations have on Alliance Cohesion through the method...Show moreThis thesis compares the effects of NATO’s out-of-area operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan to analyze what effect geographical distance of operations have on Alliance Cohesion through the method of process tracing. Mainly because of the current geopolitical shift, it is important to evaluate what NATO should look out for policy-wise moving forward. The main variable of analysis in this was the changing threat-perception of the five largest contributors to both operations. The threat-perception was determined by analyzing national security reports and other primary sources from the countries involved in the analysis, focusing on elite-level policy making. What was found in the comparison was the threat-perceptions of all analyzed states were more aligned in the operations in Kosovo, while the lack of regional/national interests for the analyzed states in Afghanistan made it hard for the states to securitize the operations, damaging Alliance Cohesion. National interests and geopolitical interests were combined in the case of Kosovo, and led to the same end-goal. Meanwhile the operations in Afghanistan led to a larger discrepancy between national interests and geopolitical interests, making Alliance commitment tougher to define, and follow through on.Show less
