Example international relations dissertation topic 5:

The UN Security Council permanent members: The case for expansion or replacement.

Founded in 1946, the five permanent members of the Security Council are France, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the USSR (seat now occupied by Russia). Given the rise in importance of nations such as India and Japan, this dissertation presents an initial case for expanding the number of permanent members to seven. In so doing, this study is also particularly mindful of the declining military capabilities of Britain and France (who now, for instance, share aircraft carriers). Accordingly whilst it suggests that expansion of the permanent members would acknowledge the growing military and economic importance of China and India but enable the retention of traditional members such as Britain and France, it could be alternatively proffered that their seats should either be shared or given to the EU.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Blum, Y.Z. (2005). ‘Proposals for UN Security Council reform’, The American Journal of International Law, Vol. 99(3), pp. 632-649.
• Hurd, I. (2008). ‘Myths of membership: The politics of legitimation in UN Security Council reform’, Global Governance: A Review of Multilateralism and International Organizations, Vol. 14(2), pp. 199-217.
• McDonald, K.C. and Patrick, S.M. (2010). UN Security Council enlargement and U.S. interests. New York: Council on Foreign Relations.