International Organizations, the UN, and International Law

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to international organizations, the UN, and international law.

International Norms

Standards of behavior that are expected within the international community.

UN Charter

The foundational treaty of the United Nations, outlining its purposes and principles.

UN General Assembly

A main deliberative body of the UN where all member states have equal representation.

UN Secretariat

The administrative arm of the UN responsible for carrying out its day-to-day work.

UN Security Council

The UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, consisting of 15 members.

World Court (ICJ)

The principal judicial body of the UN that settles legal disputes between states.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

A court established to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Diplomatic Immunity

Legal immunity that diplomats enjoy, protecting them from prosecution in the host country.

Human Rights

The basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled.

Cultural Relativism

The idea that a person's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

A milestone document that declares a common standard of human rights for all people.

INGOs (International Non-Governmental Organizations)

Organizations that operate independently from government, often focused on humanitarian or environmental issues.

IGOs (Intergovernmental Organizations)

Organizations composed primarily of sovereign states, such as the UN or NATO.

Complex Interdependence

A theory suggesting that states and other actors are connected through multiple channels, creating a web of interdependence.

Collective Security

A security arrangement in which states agree to take collective action against aggression.

Veto Power

The power of a permanent member of the UN Security Council to prevent the adoption of any substantive resolution.

UN Peacekeeping

Operations in which the UN helps maintain peace and security in conflict areas, typically using lightly armed troops.

Sovereignty

The principle of absolute authority within a territory, free from external interference.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

A military alliance established for mutual defense against aggression.

OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)

An intergovernmental organization of oil-exporting countries that coordinates and unifies petroleum policies.