International Organization: The Alternative Structure Chapter 7 International Organization: The Alternative Structure

The Nature and Development of International Organization

Types of International Organizations Function General Specialized Geographical Global Regional Intergovernmental or nongovernmental organizations

The Roots of International Organization Belief in a community of humankind Developmental stages League of Nations United Nations Big-power peacekeeping UN Security Council Functional cooperation Wide range of specialized agencies: Central Commission for the Navigation of the Rhine (1815) is the oldest

The Expansion of IGOs Quantitative expansion and expansion of roles during this century

Reasons for expansion Increased international contact Increased interdependence Expansion of transnational problems Failure of state-centered system to provide security Effort of small states to gain strength through joint action Successful role models

Existing and Possible Roles of International Organizations

Interactive arena, where nations pursue self-interest Disadvantages of using IGO as an interactive arena IGO becomes focus of struggle and not forum for cooperation Reduced support for IGOs if they do not promote national interest, goals Advantages of use of IGO as an interactive arena Intergovernmentalism Using IGO makes it politically easier to take action

Creator and center of cooperation Cooperation on specific issues, often nonpolitical Seek to build trust and solve social and economic issues that transcend national borders International regimes: Groups of IGOs, NGOs, norms of behavior, and treaties dealing with a common international issue Create settings for interaction and cooperation

Independent international actor Permanent administrative IGO staff increases its authority and role Role of mediation and conciliation Organizational independence Supranational organization

Regional IGOs: Focus on the European Union

The Origins and Evolution of the European Union

Economic integration: A Common Market European Economic Community (EEC) European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) European Community (EC)

Political integration and expansion of membership The European Union (EU) Maastricht Treaty Monetary integration Common foreign and defense policy Coordination of policy on social issues such as crime, terrorism, and immigration Treaty of Amsterdam: further political and economic integration

The Government of Europe: A Prototype Political leadership Council of Ministers (Council of the European Union): Weighted votes, sets policy Bureaucracy European Commission: Implements policy President of the Commission Legislative branch European Parliament Judicial branch Courts of Justice, First Instance, Auditors European Ombudsman

The Future of the European Union Duality about further integration; several determining factors Popular support for EU integration The EU Economy Satisfaction with EU institutions Political identity Perceptions of Germany Expanded membership

Global IGOs: Focus on the United Nations

IGO organization and related issues: General membership Controversy over admitting new members

Representative bodies Usually some plenary representative body (UN General Assembly) Limited membership council (UN Security Council) Advantages Disadvantages

Voting formulas Majority vote: 1 state, 1 vote Weighted voting by population or wealth Negative voting Unanimity requirement Veto power

Political leadership Secretariat: Political selection considerations Role: Activism versus restraint

Bureaucracy Size Restraints on selection of Secretariat staff Dominant powers make appointments Geographic and gender composition of staff

IGO Financing and Related Issues

The UN budget: elements Core budget Peacekeeping budget Voluntary contributions budget Dependent on assessment with little power to raise support

Budget crunch Growing cost of operations Size of bureaucracy Unwillingness of member-countries to pay dues U.S. debt cleared by Congress only recently Criticism of assessment scheme: 8 countries pay 76 percent of costs

IGO Activities and Related Issues

Promoting international peace and security Creating norms against violence Providing a debate alternative Diplomatic intervention Inquiry Good offices Mediation Arbitration Adjudication

Sanctions Diplomatic Economic

Peacekeeping Neutral buffers Military intervention

Arms control and disarmament

Social, economic, environmental, and other roles Economic development Human rights The environment International law and norms The quality of human existence Independence

Evaluating IGOs and Their Future Standards Ultimate goals Progress What is possible Whether alternatives exist