Chapter 8 (FOUNDATIONS OF INTL. RELATIONS)

Chapter 8 (FOUNDATIONS OF INTL. RELATIONS)

International Organisations

Definition

• International Organisation: An umbrella term for various organisations with an international character.

  • Must have:

    • At least three members.

    • Fixed membership.

    • Governed by rules or agreements.

    • A formal structure or routine.

  • Types include:

    • Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs): Composed of states only.

    • International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs): Composed of non-state entities.

    • Hybrid Organisations: Composed of both state and non-state entities.

Interaction with Nation-States

• International organisations complement and challenge the power of nation-states.

  • Example: After disembarking a plane, individuals may interact with at least four international organisations involved in aviation, telecommunications, and customs.

Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs)

Definition

• Intergovernmental Organisation (IGO): Composed solely of member states.

  • Founded on treaties or multilateral agreements.

  • Member states determine operational rules, voting, and funding.

Example: United Nations (UN)

• A prime example of an IGO with 193 member states.

  • Membership confers recognition of sovereignty.

  • Taiwan's membership aspirations blocked by China, highlighting sovereignty issues.

The Role of UN Organs

1. General Assembly

   • Most democratic; each member state has one vote.

   • World leaders address the assembly annually.

2. Security Council

   • Most powerful; can impose sanctions and deploy peacekeeping forces.

   • Member states negotiate resolutions, but process criticized for elitism.

3. Economic and Social Council

   • Facilitates discussions on global economic and social issues.

4. International Court of Justice

   • Settles legal disputes between states.

5. Secretariat

   • The administrative body comprising international staff.

International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs)

Definition

• INGOs: Organisations not tied to state governance or transnational corporations, working internationally.

  • Focus on advocacy and humanitarian efforts.

Examples

• Greenpeace: Known for environmental activism.

• International Red Cross: Provides assistance in humanitarian crises. Founded by Henry Dunant after witnessing battlefield suffering.

Hybrid Organisations

• Definition: Membership consists of states and civil society groups.

  • Example: International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) aims to preserve the environment.

Supranationalism

Definition

• Organisations with decision-making independence from member states.

  • European Union (EU): The only clear example, with law-making powers in certain areas agreed upon by members.

• Supranationalism has become controversial, evident in the Brexit debate where sovereignty was a key concern.

Regional Organisations

• Formed based on geographical location and often focus on specific issues.

  • Examples include:

    • ASEAN: Aims for economic growth and regional stability.

    • NATO: Focuses on collective security among member states.

Case Studies

Ebola Outbreak (2014-16)

• World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a public health emergency.

  • Coordinated response with various member states and INGOs to contain the outbreak.

  • Highlights the crucial role of international organisations in emergencies.

Sovereignty and Kosovo

• The dissolution of Yugoslavia led to the Kosovo War.

  • International organisations played a role in humanitarian efforts and peacekeeping.

  • Kosovo's declaration of independence sparked global debate over state sovereignty and recognition, demonstrating the limitations of international organisations.

Conclusion

• International organisations challenge and complement nation-state power, profoundly affecting global governance and diplomacy.

• They play critical roles in addressing global issues such as health crises and sovereignty disputes, even if their effectiveness varies.