The UN and the Community of Democracies

Since 1996, a handful of foreign-policy wonks have been kicking around the idea of a "democracy caucus" at the U.N. Two administrations, first Bill Clinton's and then George W. Bush's, took quiet but significant steps in that direction. Now, according to Bush administration officials, the concept will be test-flown at the six-week meeting of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights that began on Monday in Geneva.

I am one of those people who is very down on the United Nations in its current form, believing it to be worse then useless. I think it is worse then useless because along with being nearly useless, without only some humanitarian programs to its credit, it seems to be impeding the creation of some group that wouldn't be so useless.

Perhaps the creation of this Community of Democracies within the UN would change that. I also, along with the author of the article, believe that if this gets off the ground, it will rapidly overshadow the UN as we currently know it, even if it never formally leaves to become its own entity. This body would have a fresh opportunity to show me it is not all talk and no action. I'm skeptical as always, but willing.