[ethbr0]

Nation-building is UN-speak for an ethical war.

It simultaneously delegitimizes the current / former government (not "a nation") and casts the outcome in unimpeachable terms (more democracy, more freedom, more nation).

But in a lot of ways, it's a tautology. Because nation building really means "more like us."

And what country would disagree that the rest of the world would be so lucky as to be made more like it?

[rjzzleep]

This is very much what the UN charter is about. Article 2 has always irked me the wrong way. It's basically saying that any member has to support the UN in any action towards non members if it suits their view of peace and security. Which is obviously very vague.

5. All Members shall give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the present Charter, and shall refrain from giving assistance to any state against which the United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement action.

6. The Organization shall ensure that states which are not Members of the United Nations act in accordance with these Principles so far as may be necessary for the maintenance of international peace and security.

https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text