1. International Organizations
IS 101

2. United Nations An international organization
Founded in 1945 (after WWII)
Originally 51 countries – now about 193
Original mandate – peace and security, friendly relations amongst nations
Better living standards and human rights
Headquarters in New York

3. 4 main purposes of the UN Peace throughout the world
Development friendly relations among nations
Help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, conquer hunger, disease, illiteracy and encourage respect for each others rights and freedoms
To be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals

4. Committees of the UN Disarmament and international security
Economic and Financial
Social Humanitarianism and Culture
Special political and de-colonization
Administrative and Budgetary
Legal

5. Critique of the UN
Some say that it was a good idea in it’s time but has now lost credibility and should be abolished

6. Security Council of the UN
5 permanent members: China, France, Russia, UK and US
10 non-permanent members with 2 year term: currently Bosnia, Herzegovina, Brazil, Columbia, Gabon, Germany, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal and South Africa
Each council member has one vote – must have 9 to proceed, including the votes of all 5 permanent members
President is appointed in alphabetical order for a term of one month (from amongst members)

7. Meetings can be requested by any member of the Security Council and meetings must be held at least every 14 days

8. Function is to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the UN
Investigate any dispute or situation that might lead to international friction
To recommend methods of adjusting such disputes or the terms of settlement
To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate armaments

9. To determine the existence of a threat to the peace or the act of aggression and recommend the action to be taken
To call on members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression
To take military action against an aggressor
To recommend the admission of new members
To exercise the trusteeship function of the UN in strategic areas

10. To recommend the Secretary General appointment and to elect the judges of the International Court of Justice

11. World Bank
Founded in 1944
Made of 2 unique development institutions (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Int. Dev. Assoc.)
owned by 187 member countries
Provide to the countries with the most need and where it will have greatest impact and promote growth (particularly in the Arab world)
Also help middle income countries
Provided 46.9B for 303 projects in developing countries

12. Managment
Under the leadership of president, management and senior staff and the vice presidents in charge of regions, sectors, networks and functions

13. Mission Statement of WB
To help developing countries and their people reach their goals by working with our partners to alleviate poverty.
Address global challenges in ways that advance an inclusive and sustainable globalization
Overcome poverty, enhance growth with care for the environment and create individual opportunity and hope

14. Critique of WB
With less aid, the economies of the developing countries were growing – when the WB provides aid it stunts growth
WB has lent billions to dictators
Infrastructure projects often have negative social and environmental impacts for local communities
Partnership with private sector may undermine the role of the state as the primary provider of goods and services
Run by a small group of dominant countries

15. International Monetary Fund
An intergovernmental organization that promotes economic cooperation around the world
Has 187 member countries
Specialized agency of UN with it’s own charter
Main focus is policies that have an impact on exchange rates and balance of payments
Aim is High rates of employment and low inflation
Address global challenges in ways that advance an inclusive and sustainable globalization

16. Focus on macro economic and financial policies
Balance payments and establish a “real” economy in developing countries (capitalism)
Financial sector development
Analyze impact of policies and provide forum for international cooperation on global economic and financial problems

17. Governance of IMF
Run by a board on behalf of member countries

18. Critique of IMF
Managing director (Dominique Strauss-Kahn) accused of sexual assault and attempted rape of a chamber maid in a New York hotel
During the Cold War, they supported a lot of anti-communist dictatorships (Ethiopia, Pakistan, Southern Africa, Brazil…)
Policies are not beneficial to developing countries
Environmental impacts
Food distribution policies don’t work in impoverished societies

19. G8/G20 G8 started in response to the oil crisis of the 1970s
Canada (1976), EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia (1997), the UK and the US
Meet annually – Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors
G20 started in 1999 in response to financial crisis – key emergent countries needed to have a say
G8 represented 15% of global population, 65% of GDP and 2/3s of all international trade

20. G20 represents 90% of international trade
No official language
Consultative process, not an international organization
No authority to take action – only consultative
Has influence rather than direct action

21. G20 countries
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Turkey, UK and US
Managing director of IMF, president of WB, Chairs of International Monetary and Finance Committee and Development Committee of IMF and WB
Represent 90% of GDP, 80% of world trade and 2/3 of population

22. Mandate
Help support growth and development

23. Critique of g8/g20 Cost of meetings and lack of authority
Very nebulous organization
Some believe that it promotes war and the terrorocracy of the west
Some believe that it’s ineffective and perpetuates status quo

24. International Court of Justice
Part of the UN – stems from Nuremburg trials in 1946
Located in the Hague (Netherlands) in the Peace Palace
Only UN sanctioned organization that’s not in New York
Core is made of 15 judges
Official languages are French and English
Does not with international crime (war criminals) – that International Criminal Court

25. Mission Statement
The courts role is to settle in accordance with international law legal disputes submitted to it by states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies.

26. Governance Current president is from Japan, vp from Slovakia
Elected by members of the court every 3 years by secret ballot
All 15 judges must be from different countries
3 year term for judges

27. Cases UK vs. Albania – the Corfu Channel (1947)
Current case is between Cambodia and Thailand – a border dispute involving a temple
Often deals with border disputes

28. Critique
No real power
Security Council can veto any decision made by the court