A Gavel and A Rose: A Tale of Two Heartbreaks

What does a room full of diplomats have in common with some of America’s most eligible bachelors?

The Bachelorette is a reality TV show in which 30 men compete for the love of one woman (the “bachelorette”). Over the course of ten weeks, they wine and dine her in the hopes of winning her heart and ultimately her hand in marriage. At the end of each week, some of the suitors are sent home brokenhearted until the bachelorette is left with the man of her dreams-- or at least the best one of the 30.

The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization made up of member states whose main objective is to uphold international peace and security. At face value, this organization appears to have very few similarities to the acclaimed TV show, but upon further examination the resemblance between the two is uncanny. 

Right off the bat, they work towards the same goal. Both want peace and security, one in the international sphere and the other in a marriage (which is perhaps the more difficult of the two). However, a simple glance at the news reveals just how far we are from international peace and security. Similarly, most of the bachelor/bachelorettes and their winners broke up. Thus, it seems like peace and security in any sphere is still just out of reach. Not to mention, the journeys to get there for both are filled with fierce competition, international travel, and the occasional flaring temper. 

Even more specifically, one of the main organs of the UN is the Security Council. The Security Council is arguably the most important organ of the UN because it is the one tasked with maintaining international peace and security. The Council is made up of 15 members-- 5 of which are permanent members (US, China, Russia, UK, and France) and the other 10 are rotating members that serve two year terms and are voted on by the General Assembly (another main organ of the UN). 

Since the Security Council wields so much power, the ten rotating seats are in high demand and leave the other member states in constant competition. Similarly, the popularity of The Bachelorette gives its contestants a virtually instant boost in Instagram followers and access to influencer deals thereafter-- which explains the reason 30 men would agree to be locked in a mansion together without communication to the outside world.

The permanent members of the Security Council are analogous to the final four contestants on The Bachelorette. The permanent five members have veto power, so they can eliminate any resolutions brought before the Security Council that they don’t like. Often the next bachelor is chosen from the final four contestants on The Bachelorette. With such power available to the elite, it's no wonder that the UN and The Bachelorette both see such tense battles to the top.

The same tactics lead to success in both The Bachelorette and the UN. For one, they prove you should never underestimate the power of a one-on-one meeting. In the show, each week one or two contestants are chosen for a one-on-one date with the bachelorette. These dates are usually when the two are able to really develop their relationship and what gets the contestant ahead of everyone else. In the diplomatic sphere, one-on-one meetings or coffee dates can make all the difference when trying to make a deal. 

For another, both prove that the best way to handle a bully is often to let them self destruct. There is always a villian among the contestants of The Bachelorette, and 9 times out of 10 their demise is self-inflicted-- much the same way powerful countries hurt themselves when trying to exert the most power. 

Finally, they also highlight the significance of hometown visits. The final four contestants on The Bachelorette get to bring the bachelorette to their hometowns to meet their families. It is in this time that they either get or don’t get the validation they need to move forward with their relationships. In the UN, summits are held all over the world in which diplomats visit various countries they are involved in negotiations with and often come to agreements.  

All in all, the UN and The Bachelorette are similar in that they involve a group of members engaging in tactics and competitions in the hopes of attaining peace and love, where an elite few possess a lot of power and influence, and where said peace and love often prove to be elusive. Whether it’s a confidential meeting or a fantasy suite, those of us on the outside may never know what truly goes on behind closed doors. Either way, our best bet might be to vote Chris Harrison into Secretary General and call it a day.