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

2. The Nature and Development of International Organization

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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. Existing and Possible Roles of International Organizations

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. Regional IGOs: Focus on the European Union

12. The Origins and Evolution of the European Union

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Global IGOs: Focus on the United Nations

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

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

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

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

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

23. IGO Financing and Related Issues

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

25. 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

26. IGO Activities and Related Issues

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

28. Sanctions
Diplomatic
Economic

29. Peacekeeping
Neutral buffers
Military intervention

30. Arms control and disarmament

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

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