Beyond the Veto

Abstract The formal rules governing the UN Security Council offer little insight into how negotiations are conducted on a day-to-day basis. While it is generally assumed that permanent members dominate negotiations, this article investigates avenues for influence elected and Secretariat. Institutional power used to show adopt dominant positions in extending far beyond their Charter-given privileges. Dominance of moderated, however, by legitimacy support from brings resolution. Similarly, Secretariat can use its legitimated authority decisions. argues informal practices key understanding allocated forms building block future analyses practices. This argument also has implications perennial reform debates prospects reform.