Intergovernmental Organizations

Question 1

Intergovernemntal Organizations

Answer 1

They are countries that come together to work on achieving a goal or solving a political issue. Examples of intergovernmental organizations include UNSC, COP28, EU and ECOSOC.

Question 2

Types of IGOs (3)

Answer 2

1) Informal IGO - IGOs of a more fluid nature without explicit formal arrangements.
Example = G20

2) Formal IGO - IGOs established by a treaty and with a permanent organisational structure.
Example = UN

3) Ethnolinguistic Group - Relating to a group’s language and ethnicity, with a common language of the group often providing the basis for being part of the group.
Example = The kurds

Question 3

About IGOs (4)

Answer 3

1) IGOS are founded in response to specific needs which may change over time.

2) They usually operate under a signed treaty

3) All states within the IGO are therefore, subject to international law and can be held accountable.

4) Some IGOs allow for global membership while others have a clear regional focus. (regionalisation of world politics)

Question 4

Although IGOs are collection of states, and all states should be seen as equal within an organisation, in the real world some states are more powerful than others.

In what ways could this impact the unity of IGOs? (5)

Answer 4

1. Decision-Making Dominance: Powerful states often control decision-making, which can lead to policies favoring their interests, creating distrust among weaker members.
2. Resource Imbalances: Stronger states may dominate resource allocation, resulting in a reliance of weaker states on them, undermining equitable support within the organization.
3. Negotiation Power: More influential states can pressure less powerful ones during negotiations, leading to agreements that do not represent the collective interests of all members.
4. Legitimacy Issues: If members perceive that an IGO serves only powerful states, they may question its authority and relevance, potentially leading to disengagement.
5. Need for Reform: To maintain unity, IGOs may need to adjust their structures, ensuring fair representation and participation for all member states.