First, let’s discuss the term – “Balance of Power”. What do you think that might mean? Can you think of some powerful countries? United States Great Britain Japan Russia FranceChina Germany Eritrea Liberia Tuvalu Burundi Sierra Leone Congo

The country’s land area Top six answers are on the board. Here is the question: “If United States is the most powerful country in the world, what makes it, or any other country, powerful? Population of the country Education level of the population Physical features of the country Economic level of the country Military power Click to reveal the answers! Press this button to go to the next slide.

land area Population Education level Economic level of the country Military power FACTOR Physical Features United StatesChinaRussiaJapan High Numbers / High Technology Low Numbers / Defensive Only Strongest Economy in the World Strong Economy / Depend on Exports Strong Economy / Depend on Imports and Exports 6 th Strongest Economy / Many natural resources 143 Million305 Million1.4 Billion128 Million Large Territory Population Dense Only in Certain Areas Large Territory Low Population Density Small Territory, Very Dense Population Large Territory environment Varies by latitude and region Small Territory / regions of high elevation impact population 99% of Population considered literate 99.5% of Population considered literate 95.9% of Population considered literate 99% of Population considered literate

Most of the world’s countries are members of an organization called the “United Nations”. This organization has many goals, but a major goal is to keep the peace between the countries of the world and maintain the civil rights of all of the world’s people. The headquarters of the UN is in New York City. Representatives from every country have personnel that work at the United Nations.

The UN functions almost like a world congress. However, pretty much every decision has to go through the group called the “UN Security Council”. Patrick Gruban. Creative Commons 2.0, September 2008.

The UN Security Council has five permanent members that do not change: The United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom. The ten other members rotate over time. Patrick Gruban. Creative Commons 2.0, September 2008.

Dawit Rezene. Creative Commons 1.0, Unknown. Mikhail Evstafiev, Creative Commons 3.0, Unknown. The United Nations sends soldiers to places around the world as “peacekeepers” or to help with problems such as food shortages or natural disasters. These troops come from the member countries. They can usually be recognized by wearing light blue hats, blue armbands or driving white vehicles.

Watch as countries begin to join the United Nations over time. Think really hard about this question: Why did it start in 1945? Joowwww, Creative Commons 3.0, August 2008.

The United Nations’ overall goals are often difficult to attain. The member countries often ignore directives of the organization even for years. The peacekeeping troops have the power only to defend themselves most of the time, therefore, they can do little to stop major problems. Though the UN has a court system, it does not always apply. Some revolutionary or unofficial groups that may violate civil rights do not answer to the UN as they are not countries. Today, many Americans believe that the United Nations is not a helpful organization. Some even believe the US should leave the United Nations. What do you think?