Lecture 1 – and chapter 1
What are International Organizations (IOs)?
Strict/traditional definition
Formal, continuous structure established by agreements
between members from at least 2 sovereign states with the aim
of pursuing the common interest of the membership.
Loose/updated definition
Formal international social institutions based on norms and rules,
agreed upon by the members (states), which prescribe
behaviour in recurrent situations and lead to convergence of
expectations on the international stage. Set of rules meant to
govern international behaviour.
- What is the purpose of International Organizations?
International organizations promote voluntary cooperation and
coordination between or among its members and are meant to
govern international behaviour.
- Types of International Organizations
Intergovernmental Organizations -IGOs
Non-Governmental Organizations -NGOs
International Non-Governmental Organizations -INGOs
Multinational/Transnational Corporations -MNCs/TNCs
What are Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)?
Consisting of sovereign states that join the organization voluntarily
(members). Intergovernmental organizations are established through
charters or treaties, wherein their purposes, structures and decision-
making procedures are clearly spelled out. Intergovernmental
organizations have international legal personality, which is the
capacity to act under international law. This enables them to act in a
manner that is similar to how states act. The UN, NATO, OSCE and EU
are the most famous intergovernmental organizations.
- What is the purpose of intergovernmental organizations?
Every organization differs in function, membership and membership
criteria.
Some are developed to fulfil a need for a neutral forum for
debate or negotiation to resolve disputes.
Others are developed to preserve peace through conflict
resolution and better international relations.