Global Governance - Political and Economic

What is the United Nations (UN)?

The international organisation established in 1945 to promote peace, security, cooperation and human rights

When was the UN founded?

1945

What document established the UN?

The UN Charter

What are the main aims of the UN?

Maintaining peace and security, promoting human rights, encouraging cooperation and supporting development

What is the UN Security Council?

The UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security

Who are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council?

UK, USA, China, France and Russia

What special power do the permanent members possess?

The veto

What is the veto?

The ability of a permanent member to block a Security Council resolution

Why is the veto criticised?

It can prevent action even when most members support intervention

Give a recent example of veto power limiting the UN

Security Council deadlock over Russia's invasion of Ukraine

What is the UN General Assembly?

The main deliberative body of the UN where all member states have one vote

What is a strength of the General Assembly?

It gives all states equal representation

What is a weakness of the General Assembly?

Its resolutions are usually non-binding

What is ECOSOC?

The Economic and Social Council which coordinates economic and social work across the UN

What is the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

The principal judicial organ of the UN that settles disputes between states

What is a strength of the ICJ?

It provides a peaceful method of resolving disputes

What is a weakness of the ICJ?

It relies on states complying with rulings voluntarily

What is a strength of the UN?

It provides peacekeeping missions and international cooperation

What is a weakness of the UN?

It depends on member states for funding and enforcement

What is NATO?

A military alliance founded in 1949 based on collective defence

What is Article 5 of NATO?

An attack on one member is considered an attack on all members

Why was NATO created?

To deter Soviet expansion during the Cold War

How has NATO's role changed since the Cold War?

It has become involved in counter-terrorism, crisis management and supporting Ukraine

What is a strength of NATO?

It provides collective security and military cooperation

What is a weakness of NATO?

It relies heavily on US military resources

What is the IMF?

The International Monetary Fund which promotes financial stability and provides loans to countries

What is the main purpose of the IMF?

To prevent financial crises and stabilise economies

What is IMF conditionality?

Conditions attached to loans requiring economic reforms

What are Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs)?

Economic reforms required by the IMF and World Bank in exchange for loans

Why are SAPs criticised?

They often require spending cuts that can worsen poverty

What is the World Bank?

An institution that provides loans and support for long-term economic development

What is a strength of the World Bank?

It funds infrastructure and development projects

What is a criticism of the World Bank?

It may increase debt and dependency

What is the WTO?

The World Trade Organisation which regulates international trade

What is the main purpose of the WTO?

To promote free and fair international trade

What is a strength of the WTO?

It provides a system for resolving trade disputes

What is a criticism of the WTO?

It may favour wealthier countries

What is the G7?

A group of seven major advanced economies that discuss global economic issues

Which countries are in the G7?

UK, USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan

What is the G20?

A forum of major developed and emerging economies that coordinates global economic policy

Why is the G20 important?

It includes emerging powers such as China, India and Brazil

What is the North-South divide?

The economic gap between wealthier developed countries and poorer developing countries

What is dependency theory?

The idea that poorer countries remain dependent on richer countries and are exploited by the global economy

What is world-systems theory?

The idea that the world economy is divided into core, semi-periphery and periphery states

What are core states in world-systems theory?

Wealthy developed countries that dominate the global economy

What are periphery states in world-systems theory?

Poorer countries that supply raw materials and cheap labour

What is classical development theory?

The view that development occurs through economic growth and industrialisation

What is structural development theory?

The view that global economic structures keep poorer countries underdeveloped

What is neo-classical development theory?

The view that free markets, trade and limited government promote development

How does the UN attempt to address conflict?

Through diplomacy, peacekeeping and sanctions

How does the UN attempt to address human rights issues?

Through monitoring, resolutions and international pressure

How does the UN attempt to address environmental issues?

By facilitating international agreements and cooperation

Why is the Security Council often ineffective?

Veto powers can prevent collective action

Why is the structure of the Security Council criticised?

It reflects the power balance of 1945 rather than the modern world

How can the IMF and World Bank help reduce poverty?

By providing loans, aid and development support

Why are the IMF and World Bank criticised regarding poverty?

Loan conditions can increase hardship and dependency

What is global civil society?

The network of NGOs, campaign groups and citizens operating internationally

What is an NGO?

A non-governmental organisation that works independently of governments

Give an example of an NGO

Amnesty International

Give another example of an NGO

Greenpeace

How do NGOs address global issues?

By campaigning, raising awareness, providing aid and pressuring governments

What is a strength of NGOs?

They can act independently and mobilise public opinion

What is a weakness of NGOs?

They lack formal enforcement powers

Why are non-state actors increasingly important?

They influence governments, international organisations and public opinion