International organisations Flashcards
what is international law
explicit rules that stipulate rights and obligations of states - prescriptions and proscriptions
what are the key differences between domestic and international law
- enforcement and application
- relation to other laws and policies
- importance of precedent
- jurisdiction
what are the two types of international organisations
- non governmental organisations
- intergovernmental organisations
when did international organisations first appear - Corelates of war project
1815, with 469 recognised over the period from 1815-2005
what is the definition of an international organisation - Martin and Simmons
association of actors, typically states. IOs have membership criteria, and membership may entail privileges
What does the Corelates of War project say that International organisation
- at least three member states
- hold regular plenary sessions at least once every ten years
- possess a permanent secretariat and corresponding headquaters
what are international institutions - Martin and Simmons
set of rules meant to govern international behaviour
What is an international regime - Krasner
implicit or explicit principles, norms, rules and decision-making procedures around which actors’ expectations converge in a given area of international relations
How much power do intergovernmental organisations have
- forums where states coordinate national policies
- states maintain national sovereignty and autonomy
- decisions require unanimity
what do international organisations do - Ritteberger et al
involved in innumerable issue areas - from A as in arms control to Z as in zones fishing
How much power do supranational organisations
- states pool and delegate authority to the organisation
- organisation cannot be fully controlled by members
international organisations and international law
- laws give specific IOs power over specific areas of international law (EG: UN security council and declarations of war)
- international laws my apply within states, and give other states the ability to intervene under certain conditions
- areas of the international system that are particularly difficult to legislate
what are some complications and contradictions of international law
- some challenge ideas of non-intervention that have been at the heart of the international system since the peace of Westphalia
- not applied consistently to all states
- states may opt in or out
- range of interests, priorities, strategies, identities across the international system complicate the making and practice of international law and the function of international organisations
what is the United nations
succeeded the league of nations, and holds 193 member states and two non member (Holy See and Palestine)
What is the UN charter
sets out the basic principles of the UN, such as maintaining international peace and security, and achieving international co-operation in solving international problems
what are the three perspectives of the UN
- resource, an instrument that states use to pursue their own interests and goals (realism)
- forum, meeting place for states to negotiate interests and problems of mutual concern (liberalism)
- actor, in world politics with authority over state (constructivism)
what is the structure of the UN
- general assembly
- security council
- economic and social council
- secretariat
- international court of justice
what is the general assembly
forum for deliberation among members providing collective legitimation of norms, rules and actions
what is the security council
responsible for maintaining peace and security in the international system
what is the economic and social council
two broad areas (UN charter article 62), economic and social matters and human rights and fundamental freedoms
how does the UN play a role in the international system, “problems without passports”
- maintaining international peace and security
- protecting human rights
- delivering humanitarian aid
- promoting sustainable development
- upholding international law
- responding to climate change
example of the UN responding to international issues
- COP29
