International Organizations Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering key international organizations, treaties, global trade policies, and proposed reforms to the UN Security Council.

United Nations

An organization created after WW11 replacing the League of Nations, whose Charter was created in San Francisco in 1945 to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relationships among nations, encourage international cooperation, and promote human rights.

Treaty

A formal agreement between states or a legally binding agreement between 2 or more states, sovereigns, or international organizations.

NATO

A collective self-defense organization established after WW11 for western Europe and the United States based on mutual defense (where an attack on one member is an attack on all), which expanded its membership and role beyond its original purpose after the Cold War.

Warsaw Pact

A self-defense organization created in 1955 for eastern Europe and the Soviet Union during the Cold War as an opposing side to NATO, which was dissolved following the breakup of the Soviet Union.

UN Security Council

The organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security, consisting of 15 members: 5 permanent members (United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China) with VETO power, and 10 non-permanent members elected for 2-year terms.

International Labor Organization

An organization created after WW1 to work on improving labor conditions and standards internationally, which became associated with the UN system after WW11.

International Court of Justice

The 5th organ of the UN located in The Hague, originating from the League of Nations Permanent Court of International Justice, with 15 Judges serving renewable 9-year terms to handle cases involving nation-states and issue advisory opinions on international law.

International Criminal Court

An international court that deals with individuals accused of serious international crimes, rather than disputes between states.

Most-favored nation status

A non-discrimination rule under WTO rules requiring members to treat other members equally, meaning if a country improves a trade benefit for one WTO member, it must extend that benefit to other WTO members.

European Union

An organization developed after WW11 and formally established by the Maastricht treaty that promotes economic, political, and social integration by working toward a common currency, removing trade barriers, and permitting freer movement across borders.

World Trade Organization

A formal institution created in 1995 to replace GATT, which establishes rules governing international trade, attempts to liberalize trade, provides a forum for negotiating trade agreements, and possesses legal capacity to enforce its rules and decisions.

League of Nations

An organization created after WW1 to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars, which failed to prevent WW11 and was replaced by the United Nations.

International Monetary Fund

An international economic organization meant to promote international monetary cooperation and financial stability.

World Bank

An organization established as part of the post-WW11 international economic system that provides financing intended to support reconstruction and economic development.

Free Trade

A framework that promotes freer international trade by reducing barriers to trade, such as reducing tariffs, eliminating certain quotas, reducing subsidies, discouraging dumping, and standardizing trade rules.

G4 Proposal

A proposal for UN Security Council reform by Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan seeking permanent membership on the UNSC.

Regional Representation Proposal

A proposal for UN Security Council reform to give permanent spots to regional blocs like the European Union and African Union.

Small 5

A group comprising Costa Rica, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Singapore, and Switzerland that argues against UNSC expansion and membership changes, seeking instead more transparency in Security Council operations and reforms to the VETO power.

African Union Proposal

A proposal for UN Security Council reform to give Africa and Latin America permanent spots and increase representation for all regional areas.

VETO Power Reform

A proposal to suspend the right to use VETO power when the Security Council deals with mass violence (including genocides, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes); agreed to by the UK and France, but rejected by China, Russia, and the U.S.