UPSC Prelims 2010 Q46: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
- (a) The challenges posed by the impending global climate change and prepare a road map
- (b) The workings of the global financial systems and to explore ways and means to secure a more sustainable global order
- (c) Global terrorism and prepare a global action plan for the mitigation of terrorism
- (d) Expansion of the United Nations Security Council in the present global scenario
Answer: (b) The workings of the global financial systems and to explore ways and means to secure a more sustainable global order
Explanation
What the Stiglitz Commission dealt with
The Stiglitz Commission, chaired by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, was established to address a specific post-crisis global challenge.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Climate change roadmap | Incorrect | This is not the Commission's focus; climate-specific bodies exist separately |
| (b) Global financial system reform for a sustainable order | Correct | Established by the President of the UN General Assembly in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, the Commission examined flaws in the global financial architecture and proposed reforms |
| (c) Global terrorism action plan | Incorrect | Terrorism mitigation is unrelated to this Commission's mandate |
| (d) UN Security Council expansion | Incorrect | Security Council reform is a separate, unrelated diplomatic issue |
Stiglitz Commission facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chair | Joseph Stiglitz |
| Context | Response to the 2008 global financial crisis |
| Mandate | Explore reforms to the global financial/monetary system |
Answer: (b) The workings of the global financial systems and to explore ways and means to secure a more sustainable global order.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Climate change is handled by separate dedicated bodies, not this Commission.
- (b) CORRECT. The Stiglitz Commission examined the global financial system's flaws, in the wake of the 2008 crisis, seeking a more sustainable order.
- (c) Incorrect. Terrorism mitigation is unrelated to this Commission's economic mandate.
- (d) Incorrect. UN Security Council expansion is a separate diplomatic matter, not this Commission's focus.
Key point
The Stiglitz Commission, set up by the UN General Assembly President after the 2008 financial crisis, examined the global financial system's workings and proposed reforms for a more sustainable global order.
Remember
Stiglitz Commission: examined global financial system reforms after the 2008 crisis, for a more sustainable global order.
Common mistakes
- Confusing this economic-reform-focused commission with climate or security-related UN initiatives.
- Not connecting the Commission to its 2008 financial crisis context.
- Missing Joseph Stiglitz's specific role as chair.
Exam tip
Stiglitz Commission = post-2008-crisis global financial system reform, chaired by Joseph Stiglitz, under the UN General Assembly President.
Sources
- United Nations — Report of the Commission of Experts of the President of the UN General Assembly on Reforms of the International Monetary and Financial System (2009)
- Joseph E. Stiglitz — Freefall: America, Free Markets, and the Sinking of the World Economy (W. W. Norton, 2010)