Intergovernmental Organisations Flashcards
Economic IGOs (World Trade Organisation (WTO)) ?
Decides and enforces the rules of international trade, and resolves trade disputes between states through negotiation. The WTO is made up of member states and is therefore an IGO. There has to be an agreement amongst all members before policy is officially adopted.
Has been criticized for failing to make progress in helping developing countries to join global markets through its Doha Development Agenda.
Economic IGOs (International Monetary Fund (IMF)) ?
Works to improve global cooperation on financial stability and to promote economic growth and reduce poverty across the world.
The IMF continues to offer both financial assistance (loans) and technical advice to help states’ economic development
Collective Security (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO))?
The most significant example of a formal security alliance – founded in 1949 by the US and European allies in response to the Cold War threat.
NATO has expanded continuously since, mainly Eastward to include former soviet states
An IGO such as NATO exists to provide states with collective security – all member states offer one another military protection in the event of an attack
Hybrid IGOs (EU)?
having a number of different functions
Complex regional hybrid IGO that has a very wide range of responsibilities and supporting institutions. It has supranational powers.
The idea was that member states would become politically and economically unified, and would become so interdependent that any future conflict would be near impossible
Most advanced and integrated IGO, sometimes criticized for actions ling a nation state and challenging state sovereignty.
Key bodies of the EU?
European commission – acts as the EU’s executive, with the power to propose new laws. Has the power to set the agenda of the EU independently of the member states and their interests
European parliament – Often criticized as its parliament has weaker powers than the national parliament of sovereign states.
European court of justice – has the power to force member states to comply with EU law
European central bank – has the power to set monetary policy for member states of the EU that are in Eurozone and have adopted the EU’s single currency
Hybrid IGOs (African Union)?
Made up of every African nation state (excluding Morocco), and mainly deals with security, and political and economic development.
Has become more involved in peacekeeping missions in Africa, and has had considerable success.
It also allows African states to speak with one voice on the international stage
