IGO's and the United Nations

Question 1

What is an intergovernmental organisation?

Answer 1

An organisation composed primarily of states. Established by a treaty, a founding charter for the organisation, and thus, subject to international law.

Question 2

What do IGO’s achieve?

Answer 2

Establish and facilitate relations between states through discussion.
Maintains legal standing on the global stage.

Question 3

How do IGO’s achieve legal standing on the global stage?

Answer 3

Each IGO has certain rights and obligations to its members.

Question 4

How do IGO’s challenge state sovereignty?

Answer 4

Through the ability to impact global governance and enable all members to contribute to diplomacy

Question 5

What is global governance?

Answer 5

Institutions, rules, norms and legal arrangements which seek to facilitate cooperation and manage relations between states.

Question 6

How do IGO’s differentiate from regional groupings?

Answer 6

IGO’s operate on a national scale, with member-states from around the world, whereas regional groupings operate within a smaller area, with member-states which are geographically close.

Question 7

How do IGO’s work?

Answer 7

Composed of member states, physical buildings, conferences and schedules of meetings. Most IGO’s include a plenary body.

Question 8

How do IGO’s gain authority?

Answer 8

States grant authority to it by becoming members and following protocols (abide by founding charter).
States can stop IGO from acting, rendering it powerless.

Question 9

What is the United Nations?

Answer 9

An IGO which is charged with providing the world’s premier forum for multilateral negotiations, and creates a frum for states to debate issues of international concern.

Question 10

What is the plenary body of the UN called?

Answer 10

The General Assembly

Question 11

What are the 6 main bodies (organs) of the UN?

Answer 11

• General assembly
• Security council
• Economic and social council
• International court of justice
• Secretariat
• Trusteeship council

Question 12

How does membership to the UN challenge state sovereignty?

Answer 12

Once a member, must agree to refrain from use of force to settle disputes with other states. Must support decisions of UNSC

Question 13

What are the 4 aims of the UN?

Answer 13

1. Maintain international peace and security
2. Develop friendly relations between nations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination
3. Achieve international cooperation in solving problems of economic, social, cultural or humanitarian nature
4. To be a centre for coordinating actions of nations in attainment of these aims

Question 14

What are the 5 roles of the UN?

Answer 14

• Maintain international peace and security
• Protect human rights
• Deliver humanitarian aid
• Promote sustainable development and climate action
• Uphold international law

Question 15

How is international peace and security maintained?

Answer 15

prevention of wars though UN peacekeeping forces.
Diplomatic alternatives to war
Disarmament and counter-terrorism

Question 16

How is international law upheld?

Answer 16

International court of justice, handles disputes. States not obliged to partake in proceedings (if they choose to, must comply with rulings), and gives advisory opinions on legal questions.

Question 17

How effective is UNSC?

Answer 17

Has authority to respond to any actionn deemed a threat to international peace and security (upholds)
- has ability to take action and relies on military resources contributed voluntarily from member states (but must pass resolution)
UNSC resolutions are binding

Veto power renders organ ineffective
- P5 has ability to prevent resolutions

Question 18

How does UN challenge state sovereignty?

Answer 18

UNSC decisions are binding. Can use economic sanctions or military force to ensure cooperation (but veto can prevent resolutions from passing)
ICJ can rule to states which have accepted jurisdiction (but is advisory)

UN charter restricts ability for states to act in their own interest (violations ruled upon in UNSC (as seen UNSC resolution failed Russia veto power of russia 30th sept 2022 invasion of Ukraine)

Question 19

How effective is UNGA (general assembly)?

Answer 19

Resolutions are non-binding, little action occurs post-meeting. UNGA is democratic, but not all states are democratic states.

UNGA can direct draft resolutions to UNSC. Resolutions reflect opinions of states, and plenary body allows all states to have a voice.
Each state can introduce an issue of international concern.
International organisations can participate as observers (have no vote)

Question 20

Examples of veto UNSC

Answer 20

Russia-Ukraine withdrawal of troops from Ukraine, Russia federation veto Sept 30 2022)

Israel-Palest ice ceasefire and release of hostages, USA veto Feb 2024

Question 21

Work to be done to finish all flashcards: how UN achieves its aims