Intergovernmental Organizations and Civil Society
Lecture 3: Intergovernmental Organizations
Introduction to Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) and Civil Society
Exploration of global governance through the lens of IGOs and civil society's role as agents of change.
IGOs: The Basics
Definition:
Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) are entities created by multiple governments to address shared goals or issues. They differ from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) which typically operate independently of government influence.
Classification of Organizations:
International Organizations can be broadly categorized into IGOs and NGOs:
IGOs: Governed by treaties or accords, involving multiple states.
NGOs: Comprised of private, autonomous organizations that may operate cross-border but are not established by treaties.
Examples of IGOs:
United Nations (UN)
Various Regional Organizations (e.g., European Union, African Union)
Examples of NGOs (Civil Society):
Humanitarian organizations (e.g., Red Cross)
Environmental groups (e.g., Greenpeace)
Number of IGOs Over Time
Statistical Data on IGOs:
Graph representation shows growth of IGOs from 1815 to 2005, indicating a clear upward trend in the number of IGOs as a function of increasing international cooperation among states.
Data Source: Jon C. Pevehouse, Timothy Nordstrom, and Kevin Warnke, "The COW-2 International Organizations Dataset Version 2.0", Conflict Management and Peace Science (2004).
Functions of IGOs
Primary Roles:
Promoting Member States' Interests:
IGOs advocate for the shared interests of states and work to realize collective goals.
Problem Solving:
IGOs serve as platforms for member states to collaborate and find solutions to common challenges, such as climate change or trade disputes.
Efficiency via Economies of Scale:
Aggregating resources from member states increases overall efficiency in addressing issues, maximizing the impact of joint actions.
The United Nations: Mediating Global Tensions
Origins of the UN:
Founded in 1945 through the UN Charter, established post-World War II by Allied powers.
Significantly influenced by non-Western nations, challenging prior Western hegemony.
Growth of UN Membership:
Visualization of growth from 51 original member states in 1945 to current membership of 193.
Illustrates global trends towards inclusivity and representation in international governance.
Key Structures of the UN
UN General Assembly
Composition:
Each member state holds one seat.
Functions:
Votes on nonbinding resolutions, controls budget allocations, admits new member states, and appoints judges to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Houses the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
UN Security Council
Power Dynamics:
Most influential component of the UN with binding decision-making powers.
Consists of five permanent members (USA, UK, France, Russia, and China) with veto power, and ten non-permanent members without veto rights.
UN Secretariat
Structure:
Led by the UN Secretary-General who oversees the administration of UN offices and programs.
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Primary Role:
Responsible for resolving disputes between states.
Non-criminal; decisions are binding only if agreed upon by the involved parties beforehand.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
Foundation:
Established by the Rome Statute, focusing on prosecuting individuals for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide.
Scope:
Notably operates independently of the UN but complements its judicial efforts.
Size and Structure of the UN
Global Presence:
The UN is the largest IGO by both workforce and global reach, employing approximately 120,000 peacekeepers worldwide.
Funded directly by contributions from member states through an annual budget.
Member Contributions to the UN Budget (2013-2015)
Financial Contributions:
United States: 22%
Japan: 10.83%
Germany: 7.14%
France: 5.59%
United Kingdom: 5.18%
China: 5.15%
Challenges Faced by the UN in the 21st Century
Critiques and Challenges:
The UN is often criticized for being excessively large, perceived lack of effectiveness, and the inadequacy of responses to conflicts.
Emerging power dynamics and regional organizations question traditional Western-centric governance.
Calls for reform focus on the structure and influence of the UN Security Council (UNSC).
What Is Civil Society?
Definitions:
Civil Society: The sphere of voluntary collective actions that operate independently from the government, influencing political and social norms.
Global Civil Society: An expanded concept that encompasses transnational NGO activities and movements promoting social justice worldwide.
Theoretical Perspectives on Civil Society
Tocqueville’s View
Concept:
Non-political actions in civic associations yielding political effects (found in Democracy in America).
Civil society acts as a training ground for developing democratic norms and trust among citizens.
Gramsci’s Perspective
Focus:
Civil society as a battlefield for political power and ideology. Voluntary organizations are involved in struggles for influence and may perpetuate hegemonic practices.
Types of Civil Society Organizations
International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)
Definition:
NGOs that operate across multiple countries, engaging in various issue areas such as health, education, and human rights.
Social Movements
Characteristics:
Non-hierarchical collective actions involving individuals, networks, and NGOs advocating for social change.
Example: Black Lives Matter as a decentralized movement.
The Rise of Global Civil Society
Overview:
Global civil society has seen significant growth, aided by:
Global markets
Advancements in information and communication technologies
Enhanced frameworks in global governance
Statistical Growth of INGOs
Graph Representation:
A notable increase in INGOs over time, demonstrating the expanding presence and influence of civil society on the international stage.
The Role of Civil Society in Global Governance
Influence Mechanisms:
Legitimacy: IGOs and states recognize NGOs for their roles in advocacy, adding to their credibility in international dialogues.
Norms: Civil society helps in shaping and reinforcing social and political norms globally.
Functionalism: NGOs often provide services and expertise that supplement governmental functions.
Mechanisms of Civil Society Impact
Information Politics
Role:
Collection and dissemination of information affecting governance and public opinion, thereby influencing state or IGO decisions.
Symbolic Politics
Function:
Articulation and framing issues in ways that resonate emotionally with the public, e.g., emphasizing the “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine.
Leverage Politics
Strategy:
Linking and connecting issues across different international agendas and actors to maximize influence.
Accountability Politics
Aim:
Keeping other entities responsible for promises or commitments made. This includes tactics like naming-and-shaming, exemplified by organizations like Amnesty International.
Criticisms of Global Civil Society
Non-Representativeness
Issue:
Frequently, movements are dominated by a small number of professional NGOs, predominantly from Western and Northern hemisphere regions, which raises questions of inclusivity and representation.
Financial Accountability
Concern:
Some NGOs may be primarily accountable to wealthy donors rather than the communities they serve, which can bias their actions and priorities, especially in human rights and development.
Lack of Transparency
Challenge:
Many NGOs operate under a veil of private status, leading to suspicions about hidden agendas and motivations.
Responses from NGOs may include internal checks and a commitment to holding other actors accountable in governance.