Provides a brief history of the development of the United Nations. Identifies achievements of the United Nations in the promotion of human rights, the translation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into binding international covenants, and the establishment of monitoring mechanisms to ensure the protection of human rights. (KO)

Analyzes how the need to maintain the societal system results in the practice of power politics and the repression of human needs. Examines how democracy is an institutionalized means of resistance to demands for human needs. States that the Western political philosophy's interest-oriented system is a major source of global violence. (GEA)