MGOs (pg 114-119): intro + pros and cons (120-122)

MGOs

What are MGOs?

Regional multigovernmental organisations are groups of countries that agree to work together to achieve objectives, such as economic and/or political aims

• May work together to mantain stability, promote economic development and manage environmental challenges

• countries join together to benefit from working with each other

Examples of MGOs

European Union, African Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), NATO, United Nations

In signing up, member states give up part of their sovereignity

We should know 2 MGOs in detail: the UN nad EU for example

Benefits of joining an MGO

• Economic growth at all levels (local, national, international)

  • local. Sharing resources and knowledge, funding local projects

  • national: allowing free movement of worker to help labour shortages, investing in infrastructure in less developed member states

  • international: negotiating trade deals as a bloc, presenting an unified voice in global organisations like the WTO, coordinating policies to attract foreign investment

• Trade blocks: lower tariffs (or none) with other country (trade block) and free trade agreements

  • businesses have access to a larger regional market and more easily

  • Before EU, eastern and southeastern Europe was very poor. After joining, countries like Spain, Greece or Italy were able to boost their economy through trade

• Political stability: stronger diplomatic ties and regional cooperation (less conflict, before 1950s in Europe there were lots of wars)

• Freedom of movement for individuals: easier visa policies for member citizens

  • Cheaper and provides more opportunities to individuals (jobs, education, family)

• Disaster support: humanitarian aid and crisis response coordination

  • Example in Spain when floods in Valencia, french firefighters helped

  • Lots of wildfires in Spain summer 2025, Spain solicited help from the EU who in response sent 2 airships from France

• Can make political negotiations easier as it speaks on behalf of all member states

  • E.g EU in particular can strike a better trade deal with another country than if Spain alone made a deal

Trade block

Groups of countries in specific regions that reduce trade barriers and promote free trade

What other benefits has Ireland gotten from joining the EU?

• EU membership has attracted businesses to Ireland, creating thousands of jobs and increased trade opportunities

• EU laws means that men and women are given equal pay for the same job

• The Irish language is an official working language in the EU, which helps to preserve a part of the culture for future generations

• European health insurance covers Irish citizens while travelling in the EU

• Ireland is part of the European Research Area, which means it can benefit from and take part in global research and development projects

What is the European Research Area?

A single, borderless market across the EU, which allows scientific knowledge, technology and research to move freely

Why might a country not want to join an MGO? Arguments against MGOs

• Wants to remain sovereign (MGO rules might overrule national ones)

• May not want to contribute financially (wealthier countries are expected to contribute more for development than less wealthy)

• Conflicting values. For example to join the EU a country needs to respect the EU’s democratic values so naturally authoritarian regimes would not be able to join

• Wants to protect its national identity. Becoming a member of a MGO with many different countries might lead to this identity becoming more defining than the national identity

• They might not need the support of an MGO

  • Iceland has strong relations with the USA so it can rely on them for econmic and political assisstance

• Wants to protect its industries

  • The Icelandic economy relies on fishing and EU policies might have an adverse effect on the industry

• Financial dependency as member states that borrow money from financial institutions must repay debts

  • Greece and other southern counries in early 2010s had to make budget cuts in soldiers, teachers, etc to repay to EU

• Trade blocks are a barrier to international trade, limiting opportunities to trade outside the block it is more expensive to trade with non member states

When a country joins an MGO things tend to occur: about trade and international relations and sovereignity

• Trade blocs are created to reduce tariffs within the MGO only

• Tariffs are placed on goods from countries outside the MGO

• Member states become more dependent on each other

  • e.g natural disasters (Spain floods in Valencia or wildfires in the España vaciada)

• Member states may have weaker relations with non-member states

  • When Britain joined the EU, it lost connections with Canada, New Zealand, Australia (economically and politically). E.g before joining the UK imported most of its dairy from New Zealand. After joining, New Zealand lost its preferencial access to the UK market. Even though it left the EU the UK still imports dairy products from Ireland

• Member states sacrifice some power and sovereignity to the MGO