The Security Council is a permanently functioning organ of the United Nations. In this context, describe the following:

(a) Its Membership

(b) Four of its Functions

(c) Veto power exercisable by its Permanent Members

(a) The Security Council consists of fifteen members, five being permanent members representing the 'Big Five' — China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States of America. The ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly by two-third majority for a two-year term. A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election.

(b) Four functions of the Security Council are:

1. Investigatory Role — The Security Council may investigate any dispute or situation which might lead to international friction. It may recommend appropriate methods of adjusting such disputes.
2. Pacific Settlement of Disputes — The Security Council will ask the parties to a dispute to seek a solution by negotiation, mediation, arbitration or other peaceful means, such as a judicial settlement.
3. Measures not involving the use of force — To call on members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression.
4. Admission of New Members — New members are admitted by a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

(c) The negative vote of a permanent member is called a veto. The Council is powerless to act if any of the five permanent members uses the veto power. However abstinence from voting does not amount to a negative vote or veto.