Lecture 15: International organizations "Implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules and decision-making procedures around which actors' expectations converge in a given area of international relations" - Krasner 1983 - such as Kyoto-protocol Institutions don't have a permanent clear structure no phone number= not an international organization International governmental organizations are established by states and an international treaty (NATO) Legal personality establishes objectives and limitations to their actions but also gives them a certain amount of autonomy. Makes an international organization more legitimate Membership types: · Universal or selective? Regional members, cultural members (commonwealth), economic prosperity · UN system: most often, universal membership and equal vote (UN) · Outside UN system: usually more selective membership (OECD, ASEAN, Arab league) Limited membership= more autonomy as more difficult to come to an agreement Different working modes: · Intergovernmental: states determine IO objectives by negotiation · Supranational: organization can determine specific state behavior (pooled sovereignty) Functions of IO's · Programme organizations: standard-setting (ILO, UNESCO) · Operational organizations: implementation of standards and programs (World Bank, IMF) · Many organizations do both (UNHCR)
What do IO's do? · Coordinate and administrate: negotiations on international trade policies (WTO), international treaties on crime (UNODC) · Decide: financial programs (IMF), regulations and standards (EU), interventions (UN) · Support: refugees (UNCHR), infrastructure development (World Bank) peacekeeping UN · Promote: human rights (UN), social policies (ILO) IOS and World Politics: Why do states abide by either non-binding on unenforceable decision? · Signing/ratification implies consent · Domestic pressure · Reputation Exemption vs. illegality · Canada/Spain conflict over fishing vessels · North Korea and non-proliferation treaty (regime) Example of IO's power China's relationship with the WHO provides an example · 2003 - downplays outbreak obstructing WHO assessment teams · WHO informs Chinese government (01/02/03) that it will issue travel advisory against travel to Guangdong province · China alters its stance - grants access, becomes more cooperative and transparent · Demonstrates how a different type of IO can exert influence (even over powerful countries on the UN Security Council) But why? · Legitimate actor - less controversial than IMF and WTO · Functional organization (apolitical) that acts on the basis of scientif i c data · No strict enforcement mechanisms -uses shaming tactics to prompt self- regulations · Contributes to a new agenda of non traditional security threats which cannot be addressed unilaterally
Why do we need International Organizations? · Global problems need global solution- IO acts as a channel · Countries are interdependent therefore need a means of communication · Unify countries · Integrate global economy and promote economic liberalization · Structure that allows communication between countries (EU helping with setting quotas over cod fishing) · Role in the international system= power, such as US using international organizations as a means of asserting power on a world stage How have international organizations contributed in a positive way? · Economic liberalization such as removal of tariffs. EU free trade. Allowed countries to increase GDP. · Allowed the increased flow of capital · SARS example