International Organizations and International Law

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering international organizations, the United Nations structure, sources of international law, the Geneva Conventions, tribunals, and mechanisms of international order and compliance.

1. Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

Organizations created by agreements between countries. Only governments are official members.

2. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Organizations that operate outside governments, often providing aid or supporting causes.

3. Epistemic Communities

Groups of experts who share knowledge and beliefs to influence international decisions.

4. United Nations (UN)

A global organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation.

5. United Nations Charter

The UN's founding treaty. It explains its rules, goals, and countries' rights.

6. Four Primary Goals of the UN

Prevent war, protect human rights, support international law, and improve living conditions.

7. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

The UN's main discussion body. All member countries have a voice and one vote.

8. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

A UN council of 54 countries that works on economic growth, health, and social issues.

9. United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

The UN body responsible for peace and security. It can approve sanctions or military force.

10. Permanent Five (P5)

The US, UK, France, Russia, and China. Each can veto major Security Council decisions.

11. Security Council Reformers and Rivals

Germany, Japan, Brazil, and India seek permanent seats; Italy, South Korea, Argentina, and Pakistan oppose their bids.

12. United Nations Secretariat

The UN's administrative branch. It carries out daily work and is led by the Secretary-General.

13. UN Secretary-General

The UN's top administrator, appointed for a renewable five-year term.

14. International Court of Justice (ICJ)

The UN's main court in The Hague. It settles legal disputes between countries.

15. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

An international agency that promotes safe, peaceful nuclear energy and checks nuclear activities.

16. World Health Organization (WHO)

A UN agency that improves global health and fights diseases.

17. Customary International Law

Unwritten international rules based on practices countries follow because they believe they are law.

18. Law of the Sea

Rules for ocean use and boundaries, including 12-nautical-mile territorial seas and 200-nautical-mile economic zones.

19. Treaty Law

Written, legally binding agreements between countries that establish international rules.

20. Chemical Weapons Convention (Syria 2013)

After a chemical attack, Syria joined the treaty and agreed to destroy declared chemical weapons.

21. First Geneva Convention (1864)

Protected wounded soldiers on land and the medical workers caring for them.

22. Second Geneva Convention (1906)

Extended protections for wounded, sick, and shipwrecked military personnel at sea.

23. Third Geneva Convention (1929)

Protected prisoners of war (POWs), requiring humane treatment and basic rights.

24. Fourth Geneva Convention (1949)

Protected civilians during war, especially those living under military occupation.

25. Geneva Protocols I and II (1977)

Added protections for civilians and other noncombatants in international and civil wars.

26. Geneva Protocol III (2005)

Added the Red Crystal as another protected humanitarian symbol.

27. Soft Law

International guidelines or declarations that influence behavior but are not legally binding.

28. Direct Consent

Countries generally must agree before being bound by treaties or international court authority.

29. Self-Enforcement

Countries often must follow and enforce international rules without a world police force.

30. International Criminal Court (ICC)

A permanent court established in 2002 that prosecutes individuals for major international crimes.

31. Ad Hoc Tribunals

Temporary courts created to prosecute serious crimes from specific conflicts.

32. Extraterritorial Jurisdiction

When a country's courts claim authority over certain crimes committed outside its borders.

33. Augusto Pinochet

A former Chilean dictator arrested in London in 1998 over alleged international crimes.

34. Reciprocity (International Law)

Countries follow rules because they want other countries to follow those rules too.

35. Reputation (International Law)

Countries obey rules to maintain trust, respect, and good relationships with other nations.