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United Nations
The United Nations was formed out of the ashes of World War 2 as a means to prevent another world war. It replaced the League of Nations. == Speech Relevance == In '[[A Time For Choosing]]' Reagan refers to an "International Organization" which must be the UN given the further reference to the "General Assembly": <BLOCKQUOTE>''I think we are for an international organization, where the nations of the world can seek peace. But I think we are against subordinating American interests to an organization that has become so structurally unsound that today you can muster a two-thirds vote on the floor of the General Assembly among the nations that represent less than 10 percent of the world's population.''</BLOCKQUOTE> His statement seems perfectly legitimate. The current Wikipedia article states that a 2/3 majority can be reached with 8% of the world's population. <BLOCKQUOTE>Conceivably, the one state, one vote power structure could enable states comprising just eight percent of the world population to pass a resolution by a two-thirds vote (see List of countries by population). However, as no more than recommendations, it is difficult to imagine a situation in which a recommendation by member states constituting just eight percent of the world's population, would be adhered to by the remaining ninety-two percent of the population, should they object.</BLOCKQUOTE> At the time of the speech, the United Nations had 110 members (Kuwait was added May 14, 1964), so 74 countries would have been required for a majority. The approximate population in 1964 was 3.276 billion. 10% of that population is 327.6 million, less than the population of China or India at the time. == Source Links == [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations|United Nations ''(Wikipedia)''] [http://geography.about.com/od/politicalgeography/a/unmembercountries.htm|UN Members and induction date] [http://www.geohive.com/earth/his_history3.aspx|World population, 1950-2050] [http://www.nationmaster.com/red/pie/peo_pop-people-population&date=1964|Population Distribution by country, 1964]
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