1. Major Participants in the International Community
Chapter 10

2. The Players Individuals Sovereign States International Organizations
International Government Organizations
Non Governmental Organizations
Transnational Groups
Multinational Corporations

3. Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)
NATO
WTO
OAS
Arab League
OPEC
(EU Supranational Organization, not really an IGO like the others—only one of its kind)

5. International Economic Organizations
The World Bank
Lends money to poorer countries in the developing world
Often makes interest-free or low interest loans to states that are unable to borrow money in international markets

6. The International Monetary Fund
Regulates the global monetary system
Goal is to avoid severe fluctuations in the value of a country’s currency

7. The World Trade Organization
A multilateral treaty on the rules of world trade – goods as well as services
Regulates tariffs and trade barriers
Limits the ability of countries to subsidize sectors of their economy
Has a mechanism for resolving trade disputes
Promotes free trade and economic globalization

8. Criticisms of the WTO
Businesses have too much influence – large corporations push the WTO to implement rules that benefit them
Officials aren’t democratically elected
Country’s safety standards and environmental regulations are often viewed as trade barriers – should the WTO have the power to get states to change their laws?
Free trade tends to benefit developed countries over developing ones

9. Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs):
Not controlled by governments
Private organizations that “relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development”
An important part of civil society development – especially for countries in transition
Here are a few examples of NGOs…

10. Amnesty International
Works to promote and safeguard human rights
Campaigns against the death penalty
Against the torture and abuse of prisoners

11. Doctors Without Borders
The world’s largest independent medical relief NGO
Mission is to deliver health care to people who need it, no matter where they live

12. Transnational Groups
Not controlled by governments, but act in specific areas for a certain cause:
Catholic Church
Al Qaeda
International Communism

13. Multinational Corporations
General Motors
Mitsubishi
Microsoft
Ford
Xerox
Exxon
Coke

14. How should we view organizations?
The realist reaction -- organisations are irrelevant-- they may have some influence but only states have real power
The functionalist argument-- organisations grow because they are necessary
Liberal institutionalism--organizations are the best way to structure the international system
Which view do you feel is most accurate?

15. Institutionalism in the future - global governance
There are a significant number of international organizations in our modern world
Global governance refers to the impact and interactions of all of these organizations
What is the impact of international organizations on the sovereignty of the state?
Are we moving towards global governance or is the world still dominated by individual sovereign states?