Final answer:
The UN has expanded the concept of security to include human rights, sustainable development, and environmental protection, coordinating state policies towards a common goal of providing peace, dignity, and equality. It regulates the use of force and addresses global threats through its various councils.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Karen Mingst et al., the United Nations (UN) has been instrumental in expanding the concept of security for the state beyond traditional military might. This has evolved to prioritize not only military security but also a broader range of issues including human rights, sustainable development, and environmental protection. The UN's role as an intergovernmental organization (IGO) helps to coordinate state policies, advocating for peace, human dignity, and equality on a healthy planet.
Member states within the UN framework are expected to use force only in self-defense, aligning with international law principles. The UN Security Council plays a key role in authorizing military interventions, sanctions, and arms embargoes, while the Economic and Social Council addresses transnational threats to security, like terrorism and poverty. Recognizing the importance of multilateralism, some discussion has revolved around the need to expand and reform the structure of the UN Security Council to better represent the international community.