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Chapter Notes: International Organisations
Table of contents
What are International Organisations?
Evolution of The United Nation [UN]
Reform of the United Nations after the Cold War
Reform of Structures and Processes of the UN
Jurisdiction of the UN
India and the UN Reforms
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View More
What are International Organisations?
International organizations, often abbreviated as IOs, are entities established through
agreements or treaties among sovereign states to address common interests or
concerns that transcend national boundaries.
These organizations serve as platforms for cooperation, coordination, and
collaboration among member states to tackle various global challenges, ranging
from economic development and trade to peace and security, environmental
protection, human rights, and public health.
What is the Need of international organizations?
To solve problems that no country can solve alone.
To bring about an agreement between the countries.
To establish cooperation between countries.
To reduce the possibility of war in the world.
Evolution of The United Nation [UN]
The United Nations was established in 1945 immediately after the Second World
War. It was a successor to the league of nations which was formed after the First
World War.
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UN Emblem
The First World War led to the creation of an international group to handle conflicts,
aiming to prevent future wars. This led to the establishment of the League of
Nations.
Despite some success initially, the League couldn't stop the Second World War,
where more casualties occurred than ever before.
The United Nations (UN) was formed after the Second World War to succeed the
League of Nations. It started in 1945 with 51 countries signing the United Nations
Charter.
The UN's goal is to prevent conflicts between countries and encourage cooperation.
It aims to prevent small disputes from turning into wars and to minimize the impact
of any conflicts that do arise.
The UN also focuses on improving social and economic development globally,
recognizing that many conflicts stem from these issues. By 2011, the UN had 193
member states, nearly all independent nations.
In the UN General Assembly, each member has one vote, while the UN Security
Council has five permanent members: the United States, Russia, the United
Kingdom, France, and China.
These five countries were chosen due to their power after the Second World War.
The Secretary-General, currently António Guterres, serves as the UN's chief
representative.
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The UN encompasses various structures and agencies focusing on issues like war,
peace, social and economic development, health (WHO), human rights (UNHRC),
refugees (UNHCR), children's welfare (UNICEF), and education and culture
(UNESCO).
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Try yourself: What is the main objective of the United Nations?
a. To prevent international conflict.
b. All of these
c. To establish economic development and trade.
d. To address common interests among member states.
View Solution
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Principal Organs of UN
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1. Security council
Features of the security council
The security council is the most important organ of the UNO.
There are 15 members in the security council which are divided into 2 parts.
Permanent 5 members (USA, France, UK, China and Russia)
Temporary 10 members (These members are elected for 2 years)
Each permanent member has a special power called VETO (prohibition).
The permanent member can withhold or limit the motion by exercising the VETO.
Functions of the security council
Resolving disputes between countries
Keep peace in the world
Punishing those who disturb the peace
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UN Security Council
2. Secretariat
The bureaucracy of the UNO is called the secretariat.
The secretariat is the body of all the employees working for the UNO.
It informs the rest of the organs of the uno and keeps an account of their work.
Also read: Revision Notes - International Organisations
3. Economic and social council
The economic and social council works for cultural, economic, social and educational
development in the world.
Establishment – 1945
Present members – 54
Meeting – the meeting of this council helds twice a year.
In Geneva in July
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In New York in April
Its objective is to raise the level of economic, social, educational and cultural
development in the world.
4. General assembly
The general assembly is one of the main organs of the UNO.
In the general assembly, all the members of the UNO are given one vote
The general assembly is like the parliament of a country where disputes are
discussed.
In the general assembly, decisions on general matters are taken by a general majority
and decisions on some special subjects are taken by a two-thirds majority.
Its conference is held every year.
UN General Assembly
5. International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice settles disputes between countries.
It is located in the Hague (Netherlands)
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The international court of justice consists of 15 judges who are elected for 9 years.
After every 3 years, 5 judges are elected.
All decisions are taken by majority vote.
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6. Trusteeship council
The trusteeship council was created to look after those areas which were not able to
maintain the governance on their own after the second world war.
It was the responsibility of the trusteeship council to look after these areas.
Initially 11 countries were kept in it.
Its work ended after the independence of Palamu island in 1996.
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Try yourself: Which organ of the United Nations has the power to withhold or
limit a motion by exercising the VETO?
a. Secretariat
b. General Assembly
c. Security Council
d. Economic and Social Council
View Solution
Reform of the United Nations after the Cold War
Reform and enhancement are crucial for any organization to adapt to a changing
environment.
The United Nations (UN) is also in need of change.
There have been calls to improve the UN, but there's little agreement on how to do
it.
Two main types of changes are needed: restructuring the UN's setup and
operations, and reviewing the issues it deals with.
Most agree that both types of changes are required, but there's disagreement on the
specifics of what, how, and when.
Much discussion revolves around the functioning of the Security Council, with calls
for increasing its membership to better reflect current global politics, especially from
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Asia, Africa, and South America.
Western nations also seek improvements in budgeting and administration.
Some want the UN to focus more on peace and security missions, while others
prefer it to concentrate on development and humanitarian efforts like health,
education, and human rights.
The UN was founded in 1945 after World War II, tailored to the politics of that
time.
However, the world has changed since the Cold War.
The Soviet Union has dissolved, the US is a dominant force, and relationships
between major powers have evolved.
China and India are rising powers, and Asia's economies are booming.
Many new countries have joined the UN, facing a host of new challenges like
genocide, terrorism, and climate change.
In the late 1980s, with the Cold War ending, the question arose: Is the UN effective
and equipped for the modern world?
Member states have been grappling with these questions for years, seeking ways to
improve the UN's effectiveness.
Reform of Structures and Processes of the UN
A resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1992 over the reforms in
the security council. The resolution reflected three main complaints.
To look into the complaints over the restructuring of the UN, on 1st January, 1997,
the UN Secretary General Kofi Arman initiated an inquiry into how the UN should
be reformed.
Criteria for inclusion of a new member was decided. Some of them were that a new
member must be a major economic and military power, a substantial contributor to
the UN budget etc.
Different governments saw advantages in some criteria and disadvantages in others
depending on their interests and aspirations. A demand to abolish the veto power
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altogether was also raised. Many perceived the veto to be in conflict with the
concept of democracy and sovereign equality in the UN.
Permanent members have two privileges i.e. veto power and permanency in the
security council.
By veto power means that if a permanent member cast a veto in a negative manner
then it may state the decision.
Without veto power, there is the danger that the great powers would lose interest in
the world body and without their support the body would be ineffective.
Jurisdiction of the UN
As the UN completed 60 years of its existence, the heads of all the member-states met in
September 2005 to celebrate the anniversary and review the situation.
The leaders in this meeting decided that the following steps should be taken to make the
UN more relevant in the changing context:
Creation of a Peacebuilding Commission
Acceptance of the responsibility of the international community in case of failures of
national governments to protect their own citizens from atrocities
Establishment of a Human Rights Council (operational since 19 June 2006)
Agreements to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations
Creation of a Democracy Fund
An agreement to wind up the Trusteeship Council
India and the UN Reforms
India has always supported the restructuring of the United Nations. It believes that
a strengthened and revitalised UN is desirable in a changing world.
The most important demand of India is regarding the restructuring of the security
council. It supports an increase in the number of both permanent and non-
permanent members.
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It also argues that an expanded council, with more representative, will enjoy greater
support in the world community.
India itself wishes to be a permanent member in a restructured UN. India is the
world’s largest democracy and the second most populous country in the world.
The country’s economic emergence on the world stage is another factor that
perhaps justifies India’s claim to a permanent seat in the Security Council.
Despite India’s wish to be a permanent veto holding member of the UN, some
countries question its inclusion. They are concerned about Indo-Pak relations,
India’s nuclear capabilities etc.
The UN in a Unipolar World
It is believed by many countries that the reform and restructuring of the UN could
help the UN cope better with a unipolar world in which the US was the most
powerful country.
The US stands as the only superpower after the disintegration of USSR hence US
power cannot be easily checked.
Within the UN, the influence of the US is considerable. As the single largest
contributor to the UN, the US has unmatched financial power.
The UN is not therefore a great balance to the US. Nevertheless, in a unipolar world
in which the US is dominant, the UN can and has served to bring the US and the rest
of the world into discussions over various issues.
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The UN is an imperfect body, but without it the world would be worse off.
It is important for people to use and support the UN and other international
organisations in ways that are consistent with their own interests.
Try yourself: What is the main function of the UN Security Council?
a. Resolving disputes between countries
b. Providing humanitarian aid
c. Promoting economic development
d. Administering justice in international disputes
View Solution
Other International Organisations
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international organisation that looks
upon international financial institutions and regulations. It has 188 member
countries. The G-8 members (the US, Japan, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Canada,
Russia), China and Saudi Arabia have more than 52 per cent votes in IMF.
World Bank is an important international organisation created during Second
World War in 1944. It provides loans and grants to the member countries; especially
developing countries.
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World Trade Organisation (WTO) is an international organisation set up in 1995 as
the successor to the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT). It sets the
rules for global trade. It has 157 member countries.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an international organisation
established in 1957. It seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to
prevent its use for military purpose.
Amnesty International is an international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)
which campaigns for the protection of human rights all over the world.
Human Rights Watch is an international NGO which is involved in research and
advocacy on human rights.
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FAQs on Chapter Notes: International Organisations
1. What are International Organisations and what roles do they play in global
governance?
Ans. International Organisations are entities established by multiple countries to
collaborate on common interests, promote peace, security, economic development, and
address global challenges. They play critical roles in facilitating diplomacy, providing
humanitarian assistance, coordinating international law, and fostering economic
cooperation among member states.
2. How has the United Nations evolved since its inception?
3. What reforms have taken place in the United Nations after the Cold War?
4. What is the jurisdiction of the United Nations?
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5. How does India view UN reforms and what role does it play in advocating for
these changes?
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