Course Module 17: The United States and International Organizations

What are institutions?

Institutions are the rules of the game—humanly devised constraints that structure incentives and interactions.

What’s the difference between institutions and organizations?

• Institutions = Rules or norms (e.g. sovereignty, laws, taboos).

• Organizations = Groups that act politically (e.g. UN, NATO, WTO).

What are examples of institutions?

• Domestic: Don’t speed, don’t steal, win majority of electoral votes.

• International: Sovereignty, chemical weapons taboo.

What are examples of organizations?

United Nations (UN), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), World Trade Organization (WTO).

How do institutions shape international politics?

• Guide behavior and shape expectations.

• Provide information on how states should act.

• Facilitate cooperation and reduce transaction costs.

• Sometimes help enforce agreements.

How do international institutions reduce conflict?

They define acceptable behavior, encourage reciprocity, and mitigate collective action problems.

What’s the tradeoff between international organizations and sovereignty?

Joining IOs can bring cooperation benefits but may require giving up some national control.
Example: WTO limits domestic control over trade policy.

What are the two main political bodies of the UN?

• General Assembly

• Security Council (5 permanent members: US, UK, China, Russia, France; + 10 rotating members)

How do the UN’s political bodies confer legitimacy?

Decisions backed by the UN reflect global opinion and make policies seem more legitimate both internationally and domestically.

Why does the US participate in the UN despite its power?

• To gain legitimacy abroad and at home.

• Easier to build alliances if actions are UN-approved.

• US public support increases when UN approval is obtained.

What is interstate cooperation?

States working together to achieve shared goals while overcoming conflicting interests.

What are barriers to interstate cooperation?

• Differing state interests.

• Collective action problems.

• Challenges in enforcing and complying with agreements.

What are incentives for global governance through institutions?

• To manage shared global issues.

• To gain legitimacy and stability.

• To reduce uncertainty in international relations.

What problems arise after global agreements are made?

• Compliance problems: States may not follow rules.

• Enforcement problems: Institutions often lack power to punish violations.

What are NATO’s Cold War origins?

Formed to protect Western Europe from Soviet threat after WWII.
Lord Ismay said NATO’s goal was “to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down.”

What does “keep the Russians out, Americans in, and Germans down” mean?

• Russians out: Prevent Soviet expansion.

• Americans in: Keep US engaged in Europe’s defense.

• Germans down: Prevent another militarized Germany.

What are NATO’s main challenges today?

• European “shirking” (not contributing enough to defense).

• US frustration with unequal burden-sharing.

• Balancing leadership and cooperation among members.

How did the Trump administration view NATO?

Criticized members for not spending enough on defense (as % of GDP).

Sought fairer burden-sharing within the alliance.

How has the Ukraine War affected NATO?

It strengthened unity and renewed NATO’s purpose in collective defense.