Week 3 - Above and Below The State

Question 1

When was United Nations Founded?

Answer 1

1945 - End of WW2

Question 2

UN General Assembly

Answer 2

193 Member Votes - 1 Vote Each

• Sets Budgets, Passes Non-Binding Resolutions, Admits New Member States

Indirectly runs many UN Specialized Agencies:
* UNICEF - UN International Children’s Emergency
* WHO - World Health Org
* UNHCR - UN High Commissioner For Refugees
* ILO - International Labour Organization

Question 3

UN Security Council

Answer 3

Primarily responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security.
* Can pass Binding Resolutions

5 Permanent Members (VETO Powers):
* U.S.
* France
* UK
* China
* Russia

10 Rotating Members (Change Every 2 Years)

Tools:
* Authorize use of Military Force
* Economic Sanctions, arms Embargoes
* Investigation and Mediation through Special Envoys
* Military Observers, peacekeeping forces

Question 4

UN General Assembly Vote on Palestine

Answer 4

During the Vote, majority of UN members were in favour of Palestine Membership in UN, although vote was only denied because U.S. used their Veto Power to deny Palestine’s membership.

Question 5

Difference Between UN General Assembly and UN Security Council

Answer 5

General Assembly includes all UN Members with equal voting rights, while the security council has only 15 Members (5 Veto, 10 Rotating Members) holding significant power through Vetos.

General Assembly decisions are Non-Binding, while Security Council Decisions are Binding.

Question 6

UN Security Council Reform

Answer 6

The Palestine Example showed that The UN Security Council is not adequately representative of the global community (Due to Veto Powers)

Ex. Africa - About 50% of all UN Security Council Decision issues pertain to Africa, But:

• Only 4 Independant African Countries at UN Founding in 1945 showing their voice was not adequately represented in the formation of the security council’s structure
• Presently, Africa comprises 28% of all member states (54 out of 193), but they still dont have a spot in the permanent membership of the Security Council (VETO power)

Question 7

International Court of Justice

Answer 7

Helps resolve disputes to avoid resorting to war and conflict
* Decisions are Non-Binding

Question 8

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

Answer 8

Created and managed by sovereign states
~ 400 IGO’s in the world today

3 Types:

• Global Organizations - UN, Universal Postal Union
• Regional Organizations - European Union, African Union
• Issue-Specific Organizations - North Atlantic treaty organization (NATO), Orgnization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

Question 9

International Non-Government Organizations

Answer 9

~60,000 International NGOs today

Human Rights: Human Rights Watch - New York
- Does Not Taking Funding From Government Powers To Remain Independent and Unbiased

Humanitarian Relief: Red Cross - Washington, DC

Press Freedom: Article 19 - London

Question 10

Above The State

Answer 10

• UN - United Nations
• International Court of Justice
• IGO - International Government Organization
  INGO - International Non-Government Organization

Question 11

Below The State

Answer 11

• NGO - Non-Government Organization

Question 12

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)

Answer 12

Also Known as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
~10 Million in the World tdy

Women’s Rights: Sisters In Islam - Malaysia

Human Rights: Egyptian Initiative For Personal Rights - Egypt

Question 13

Critique of Global Civil Society (NGO’s, etc)

Answer 13

Not representative

• Overwhelmingly based in the Global North (developed countries: North America, Europe, UK, etc.).

As a result, their priorities and values represent those of wealthier, developed nations instead od marginalized communities in the Global South

Not accountable or Transparent to Those They Serve

• Often Claim to Represent the interests of marginalized groups or advocate on behalf of vulnerable populations. There is also Criticism that these organizations are not transparent with how they spend their funds, concerning individuals about their effectiveness and integrity

Not Always “Civil”

• Civil implies peaceful, cooperative, and constructive action. However, not all actors behave in this way. Some organizations may engage in aggressive advocacy, disruptive protests, conflict rather than solution.

They are sometimes influenced by political agendas, financial interests, ideological biases which goes against their supposed neutrality and integrity

Question 14

WHat are the core purposes of the United Nations (UN)?

Answer 14

It sets budgets, passes non-binding laws, and admits new member states.

Question 15

What are the core functions of the UN’s key “organs” (in particular, the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the Secretariat), and how are these organs structured?

Answer 15

General Assembly: Sets Budgets, Passes Non-Binding Laws, Admits New Members States

Structured by 193 members

Security Council: Maintaining International Peace and Security, Passes binding Laws

Structured by 5 Permanent Powers (Veto Powers) and 10 Rotating Members who Change every 2 Years

Secretariat: Administrative and executive body, implements UN decisions (General & Security), supports peacekeeping

Organized into various departments and officers that specialize in different areas.

Question 16

What are the key criticisms that commentators have made about the UN and the Security Council?

Answer 16

It isn’t adequately representative of the Global Community because the VETO Powers are able to override any votes from the other Member States.

Also, Africa has no spot in the Security Council even though about 50% of issues pertain to them.

Question 17

What is the European Union? What are some examples of other significant regional organizations?

Answer 17

European Union is a political and economic union of 27 European Countries. It has evolved into a powerful organization with extensive influence over many areas of its member states’ governance.
* European Union’s Decisions are binding

Another significant regional organization is the African Union (AU) which:

Consists of 55 Member States. Its goal is to promote unity and cooperation among African Nations, fostering economic development, and addressing social, political, and security issues.

Question 18

What is “civil society” and why is it significant? What criticisms have scholars and commentators made about the notion of “global civil society”?

Answer 18

Refers to the collection of organizations, groups, and institutions that operate independently of the government and private sector.
* It is made up of NGOs, community groups, voluntary associations, and other groups

Important Because:
* Promotes Accountability
* Protects Human Rights
* Facilitates Social Change
* Supports Development and Humanitarian Aid

Criticisms are that they are dominated by the Global North, so they reflect the interests of the wealthy and developed countries. Another criticism is that they are often swayed by the political agenda and financial gains which questions their integrity. They are also not alwasy “Civil”, meaning they sometimes create conflict and violence instead of stopping it. This is seen through disruptive protests, aggressive advocacies, etc.

Question 19

What are “non-governmental organizations” and what roles do they play in international affairs?

Answer 19

Non-profit groups that are neither part of the government, nor driven by profit motives.

Ex. Advocating for Human Rights, Social Aid, Humanitarian Aid

Roles In International Affairs:
* Humanitarian Aid and Relief
* Advocacy and Policy Influence
* Poverty Reduction
* Environment Protection
* Conflict Resolution
* Promoting Human Rights

Question 20

What is a “social movement” and what are some examples?

Answer 20

A collective effort by a large group of people, typically sharing a goal, to bring about or resist social, political, or cultural change.

Ex. Protests
* BLM Movement - Movement to stop racial inequality, specifically against African Americans
* LGBTQ+ Movement - Movement to secure equal rights and legal recognition for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and Queer individuals. Also other sexual and gender minority individuals

Question 21

Gramsci’s Civil society theory

Answer 21

Says that within a civil society, there is always one hegemonic ruling class ideology. This means that a civil society isn’t welcoming of other ideologies and in a way forces people to agree with the dominant ideology.

Question 22

Eurpoean Union Vs. United Nations

Answer 22

European Unions decisions are binding, instead of United Nations who proposes Non-Binding Resolutions.
* European Union is also able to override domestic decisions
* European Union goes beyond state sovereignty, and created their own sovereignty which is the European Union

Question 23

what is the difference between civil societies and global civil societies?

Answer 23

The scale in their activities, as well as the geographical reach of thier influence.

Civil Society: Local or National Level

Global Civil Society: International

Question 24

What are Civil Societies?

Answer 24

the collective organizations, groups, and institutions that operate independently of the government and the private sector, representing the interests, values, and needs of the public.

Question 25

What is the purpose of NGOs?

Answer 25

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are independent, non-profit groups that work to address social, environmental, humanitarian, or political issues.

NGOs help in international affairs by providing aid, pushing for better policies, and promoting peace and environmental care. They also hold governments accountable and support important global issues like health and human rights.