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Non-State Actors: International Organizations

Non-State Actors: International Organizations. PO 325: International Politics. International Organizations. Armed sub-state revisionist groups are not the only non-state actors that influence political relations on a global scale

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Non-State Actors: International Organizations

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  1. Non-State Actors: International Organizations PO 325: International Politics

  2. International Organizations • Armed sub-state revisionist groups are not the only non-state actors that influence political relations on a global scale • International organizations seek to establish or rely upon norms and international covenants to coordinate or influence the activity of states • The influence of these organizations is central to some of the basic tenets of the liberal worldview

  3. International Organizations • Despite Anarchy, It Seems that a Sort of World Order Has Developed in the International Community, Based on General Rules of Conduct • States Often Seem to Adhere to Rules Based on Widely Held International Habits and Norms, One of Which is Morality • Sometimes Formalized as International Law • Many of These Norms and Laws Were Developed and Instituted During Periods of Hegemony • Uphold Status Quo For Hegemon’s Benefit • Set up Institutions For Responsibility Sharing (Shared Norms/Habits Don’t Always Suffice to Resolve International Dilemmas; Thus, IOs Important)

  4. International Organizations • Some Formal IOs Have Been Established By General Agreement to Help With The Enforcement of Rules; Others Are Constructed For the Attainment of Issue-Specific Goals

  5. International Organizations • Two Types of Formal IOs (Rapid Recent Growth) • Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

  6. Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) • Formed Via Intergovernmental Consent and Coordination for the Purposes of Furthering Individual and Collective State Interests • Global (UN): Coordination of Action Amongst Some Set of Parties Around the World • Regional (EU): Normally Established for the Purposes of Regional Integration Based on Common Interests

  7. IGOs and the Difficulty of Collective Action • While several parties to any agreement may desire the same results, certain impediments exist to achieving their goals, especially when the greater system is characterized by anarchy • Impediments (Olson) • Goods of Collective Agreement are optimally inexhaustible and non-excludible (Example: Public Park) • In such circumstances, free-riding can become endemic without reasonable enforcement mechanism • One Solution: Provision of selective incentives • General Purpose of IGOs, then, is to coordinate action while limiting the incentive to “defect” or free ride; use both punishment and selective incentives to do this

  8. Non-Governmental Organizations • Not Associated With Official State Policy • Normally Much More Specialized in Function Than IGOs • Raise Awareness of and Lobby for Attention to Particular Issues (e.g., Amnesty International)

  9. Most Important IGO to IR: The United Nations • UN System • Principles: • Does Not Have Power to Enforce its Will; Created By States to Serve Their Needs • States Equal Under International Law • Full Sovereignty Over Own Affairs • Full Independence and Territorial Integrity • Carry Out Obligations

  10. Most Important IGO to IR: The United Nations • Purposes: • Forum for Viewpoints and Dispute Resolution • Promotes and Coordinates Economic and Social Development • Information Coordination

  11. Most Important IGO to IR: The United Nations • Structure: • General Assembly (Universality of Membership and Permanent Observer Missions) • Plenary Session • Special Sessions • Control of Finances • Passing of Resolutions (Advisory) • Election and Coordination of Agencies through ECOSOC

  12. Most Important IGO to IR: The United Nations • Structure (continued) • Security Council • Five Permanent, Ten Rotating Members (Permanent Member Veto – Great Power Participation Doesn’t Harm National Interests) • Formulates its Own Resolutions – Decisions Binding on All Members • Meets Upon Request of Member States • Vote Abstention • Limitation on Power – Government Authorization, Member States Try to Evade • Peacekeeping; No Standing Police Force

  13. Most Important IGO to IR: The United Nations • Structure (continued) • Secretariat (Executive Branch) • Headed by Secretary-General – Nominated By SC, Approved By GA – Visible Public Figure • Administers UN Policy and Programs • Develop International Civil Service • Judicial Arm (World Court) • Various Issue-Specific Committees for Deliberation • Various Issue-Specific Programs and Agencies

  14. Most Important IGO to IR: The United Nations • Constraints on UN • Actions For the Collective Good Still Limited By State Sovereignty (Collective Action) • Militarily Limited – Final Decision To Contribute or Abstain Belongs to States – Sometimes, Even Police Force Cannot Ensure Compliance (Lack of Regular and Reliable Enforcement Mechanism) • Great Deal of Permanent SC Power – Good When All Agree, Stalemate or Inaction When Only One Disagrees

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