[header] How to understand the basic principles of the united nations [title] Read article 2 of the united nations charter. [step] This article contains the basic principles that guide the united nations. [title] Note that article 2 (1) makes it clear that the un is based on the sovereign equality of all its members. 
[step] This means that every country is sovereign and independent, which ensures that every country has an equal say in the un. There are some notable exceptions to this, namely the formation of the security council and the international court of justice, but every country who is a member of the un has equal voting power in the general assembly.