The Scandinavian states' staffing of the United Nations‐system

Abstract

This paper examines the Scandinavian states' staffing of middle and senior‐ranking positions within the United Nations (UN)‐system, in comparison to other members of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It is true that the Scandinavian states are overrepresented per the size of their population in both staffing categories; however, when it comes to a comparison of financial contributions to the UN regular budget, the three states are underrepresented compared to the rest of the OECD in staffing funded by that mechanism. Yet, the strong reputation of the Scandinavian states and their practitioners has still enabled them to disproportionately staff senior UN positions. To explain this, this paper utilises Pierre Bourdieu's concepts of capital, field, and habitus to explain how the three states' reputation within the UN‐system gives them an advantage in staffing senior positions.