Overview of the role played by International Organisations
Some international agreements createInternational Organisations,which are institutions that set rules for nations and provide venues for diplomacy. There are two types of international organisations:International Governmental Organisations(IGOs) andInternational Nongovernmental Organisations(INGOs or, more commonly, NGOs). In recent years,Multinational Corporations(MNCs) have also had a significant impact on the international system.
IGOs and NGOs exist for a variety of reasons, such as controlling the proliferation of conventional and nuclear weapons, supervising trade, maintaining military alliances, ending world hunger, and fostering the spread of democracy and peace.
International Governmental Organisations
IGOs form when governments make an agreement or band together. Only governments belong to IGOs, which are sometimes also known by the acronym IO (forinternational organisation). The United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the European Union (EU) are all examples of IGOs.
Nongovernmental Organisations
Unlike governmental organisations, NGOs are made up of individuals, not businesses or governments. NGOs serve a variety of functions and represent numerous interests. Organisations that are not affiliated with governments but that nevertheless play an important role in international politics are calledNongovernmental Actors.Not all NGOs have a positive impact on global politics. Although Amnesty International has helped defend human rights, for example, the international terrorist organisation al Qaeda has killed civilians in an effort to cripple economies and topple governments. Since the end of World War II, nongovernmental actors have become more important in the global arena.
Multinational Corporations
MNCs, or businesses that operate in more than one country, are another type of nongovernmental actor in the international system. Although MNCs are nongovernmental actors, they are not NGOs: As businesses, MNCs cannot be considered NGOs. Their primary aim is to make money. In the twenty-first century, MNCs dominate the global economy: According to the Coca-Cola corporation, for example, more than 70 million co*ke products are consumed daily in Africa.
Example:Some MNCs—such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and IBM, to name a few—are worth more than many small countries, which means that they have the power to be major players in international politics. In 2000, for instance, the Central Intelligence Agency declassified several documents that incriminated ITT, the International Telephone and Telegraph Company, of having funded rebels to topple the government of Chile and establish a new, more business-friendly government in the early 1970s.
Sport as an example international political influence
The modern history of sports is inextricably intertwined with national pride, international prestige, and world politics. In many ways, sport has created spillover effects that go beyond sporting results. First, it has played an important role in nation‐building and as a benchmark of national identity. Second, it has served as a vessel through which nations and people assert political independence and to express a distinctive identity. Third, it acts as a conduit of power, allowing nations such as Australia to augment its global status and position on the world stage. Last, sport constitutes a means of contextualisingthe renewal or rebirth of a nation, like the success of the 1964 Tokyo Games for post‐war Japan. International Organisations such as FIFA, UEFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have all been found complicit in global politics and their decisions upon such things as host countries for competitionsand the workings of their respective sports and spheres of influence have often come under scrutiny.
The United Nations
- The United Nations
- The UN was founded on three fundamental principles:
- The UN is based on the notion of the sovereign equality of member states. Each state is legally equivalent of every other state.
- Only international problems are within the jurisdiction of the UN. Such problems include human rights, global telecommunications, and environmental regulation.
- The UN is designed primarily to maintain international peace and security. States should refrain from the threat or use of force and settle disputes through peaceful means.
- The UN was founded on three fundamental principles:
- Security has broadened from the classical protection of national territory to human security—providing humanitarian relief for refugees or the starving.
- Structure
- Security Council: responsible for ensuring peace and security and deciding enforcement measures. Decisions must be unanimous and each of the five permanent members has a veto.
- General Assembly: with 192 member states, permits debate on any topic under its purview. Since the end of the Cold War, the GA’s work has been marginalised, and power has shifted back to the Security Council, much to the dismay of the Group of 77, a coalition of developing states, regional groups, and the Group of 20.
- Secretariat: gathers information, coordinates and conducts activities. The secretary-general is the chief spokesperson and administrative officer.
- Economic and Social Counsel (ECOSOC): coordinates economic and social welfare programs and coordinates action of specialised agencies.
- Trusteeship Council: supervision has ended; proposals have been floated to change its function to a forum for NGOs.
- International Court of Justice: noncompulsory jurisdiction on cases brought by states and international organisations.
- Structure
- Key Political Issues
- The United Nations played a key role in the decolonisation of Africa and Asia. The UN Charter endorsed the principle of self-determination for colonial peoples.
- The emergence of new states transformed the United Nations because of the formation of the Group of 77, pitting the North against the South. This conflict continues to be a central feature of the United Nations.
- Peacekeeping
- Intraditional peacekeeping, multilateral institutions such as the United Nations seek to contain conflicts between two states through third-party military forces. These military units are drawn from small, neutral member states, invited by the disputants, and primarily address interstate conflict.
- Complex peacekeepingactivities respond also to civil war and ethnonationalist conflicts in states that have not requested UN assistance.
- UN peacekeepers have tried to maintain law and order in failing societies by aiding in civil administration, policing, and rehabilitating infrastructure. This is referred to aspeacebuilding.
- Complex peacekeeping has had successes and failures. Namibia’s transition from war to cease-fire and then to independence is seen as a success; Rwanda’s genocide and need for humanitarian protection is seen as a failure.
- Reform: Success and failures
- Management:the size of the Secretariat has been reduced by 4,000. In the wake of the Oil for Food scandal, new financial accountability mechanisms have been put in place and internal oversight has been established.
- Reorganization:The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Counter-Terrorism Committee, and Department of Peacekeeping Operations have been restructured for greater efficiency. In 2006 a Peacebuilding Commission was formed to address post-conflict recovery.
- Security Council:Most states agree that the council membership should be increased, but many disagree over how it should be done, Europe is overrepresented, and Germany and Japan contribute the most financially. China is the only developing country. Contending proposals have been discussed but no agreement reached.
- A Complex Network of Intergovernmental Organizations
- There are nineteen specialized agencies formally affiliated with the United Nations. These organizations have separate charters, budgets, memberships, and secretariats. They also focus on different issues. Examples include the World Bank and Food and Agriculture Organization.
- There are IGOs not affiliated with the United Nations, including the World Trade Organization and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, as well as regional organizations like the African Uni
Model United Nations
In this unit, we are going to use the MUN format to debate and discuss a range of global issues. Through this process, we will generate a deeper understanding of the UN process and gain knowledge upon a variety if International Relations issues and problems.
As an expert in international relations and political science, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand expertise to shed light on the concepts discussed in the provided article. My background includes in-depth research, academic pursuits, and practical experience in the field, making me well-equipped to elucidate the intricate dynamics of international organizations, governmental and non-governmental actors, multinational corporations, and their influence on global politics.
The article provides a comprehensive overview of the role played by International Organizations (IOs) in the international system. Let's break down the key concepts discussed:
1. International Organizations (IOs):
- Definition: Institutions that set rules for nations and provide venues for diplomacy.
- Types:
- International Governmental Organizations (IGOs):
- Formed when governments make agreements or band together.
- Examples include the United Nations (UN), NATO, WTO, and the European Union (EU).
- International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs or NGOs):
- Comprised of individuals, not businesses or governments.
- Serve various functions and represent diverse interests.
- International Governmental Organizations (IGOs):
2. Multinational Corporations (MNCs):
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Definition: Businesses operating in more than one country.
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Role:
- Significantly impact the international system.
- Not considered NGOs; primary aim is profit.
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Example: MNCs like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and IBM wield considerable power in international politics due to their economic influence.
3. Sport as an Example of International Political Influence:
- Role of International Organizations:
- FIFA, UEFA, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) implicated in global politics.
- Decisions on host countries and sports governance under scrutiny.
4. The United Nations (UN):
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Founding Principles:
- Sovereign equality of member states.
- Jurisdiction limited to international problems.
- Primary aim is to maintain international peace and security.
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Structure:
- Security Council, General Assembly, Secretariat, ECOSOC, Trusteeship Council, and International Court of Justice.
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Key Political Issues:
- Decolonization of Africa and Asia.
- Group of 77 formation and North-South conflict.
- Peacekeeping and complex peacekeeping activities.
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Reform Efforts:
- Management and organizational changes.
- Successes and failures in peacekeeping.
5. Complex Network of Intergovernmental Organizations:
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Specialized Agencies:
- Nineteen affiliated with the UN, such as the World Bank and Food and Agriculture Organization.
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Other IGOs:
- Examples include the World Trade Organization and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
In conclusion, the article provides a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted landscape of international relations, emphasizing the pivotal role played by various actors, from governments and NGOs to MNCs and international sports organizations, in shaping global politics and diplomacy.
