Overview
This lecture covers major international organizations, focusing on their roles, structures, historical context, and contemporary reforms—with special attention to the United Nations, its organs, challenges, and India's perspectives.
Introduction to International Organisations
- International organisations are legal entities formed by treaties, recognized globally (e.g. UN, NATO, WHO).
- Their main roles include setting global agendas, promoting cooperation, and acting as forums for member states.
- The need for these organisations arose after global conflicts to maintain peace, stability, and cooperation.
The League of Nations
- Formed after World War I, proposed in 1919 and established in 1920.
- Its main goal was to maintain world peace but failed to prevent World War II.
The United Nations (UN)
- Established in 1945 to replace the League of Nations and prevent further international conflicts.
- Aims to maintain peace, foster cooperation, and advance social/economic development.
- Membership grew from 51 in 1945 to 193 by 2011.
Structure of the United Nations
- Six main organs: General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice, and Secretariat.
- Specialized agencies address health (WHO), development (UNDP), rights (UNHRC), refugees (UNHCR), children (UNICEF), and education/culture (UNESCO).
Reforms and Challenges of the UN
- Post-Cold War changes require structural and functional reforms.
- Security Council reforms address lack of equitable representation and dominance by Western powers.
- New challenges include genocide, climate change, terrorism, and new member states from former communist countries.
- Permanent members have veto power; non-permanent members do not and serve two-year terms.
UN Jurisdiction and Recent Initiatives
- Reforms include Peacebuilding Commission, Human Rights Council, Democracy Fund, and Millennium Development Goals.
- The UN universally condemns terrorism and emphasizes responsibility to protect civilians.
India and UN Reforms
- India supports expanding Security Council membership for better representation.
- Cites its population, democracy, contributions, and peacekeeping record as justification for permanent membership.
- India's bid faces challenges from concerns about balance and representation for other emerging powers and continents.
UN in a Unipolar World and Recent Crises
- The US dominates UN influence due to power, funding, and veto rights.
- UN provides a forum for global dialogue but struggles as a counterbalance to US power.
- Recent crises (e.g. Russia-Ukraine war, Covid-19, Afghanistan) highlight UN's limitations in peace and humanitarian response.
Other Major International Organisations
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- Monitors global financial systems; voting power is skewed toward major economies (US holds 17.4%).
World Bank
- Established in 1945; lends to developing countries for human development and infrastructure, often criticized for imposing strict conditions.
World Trade Organisation (WTO)
- Formed in 1995 to regulate global trade; powerful countries influence rule-making, often disadvantaging developing nations.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- Founded in 1957 to promote peaceful nuclear energy and prevent military use; inspects nuclear facilities worldwide.
Key Terms & Definitions
- International Organisation — An entity formed by treaty, acting at the global level with legal identity.
- League of Nations — First worldwide intergovernmental peacekeeping organization (1919–1946).
- United Nations (UN) — Global organization for peace, security, and cooperation, founded in 1945.
- Security Council — UN organ responsible for international peace; has five permanent (with veto) and ten non-permanent members.
- Veto Power — Right of a permanent Security Council member to block decisions.
- IMF — Oversees international monetary cooperation; voting dominated by rich nations.
- World Bank — Provides loans/grants for development in poorer countries.
- WTO — Sets international trade rules.
- IAEA — Promotes peaceful nuclear use and prevents proliferation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review structures and functions of major international organizations for exams.
- Study current debates on UN Security Council reforms.
- Prepare short notes on India's case for permanent Security Council membership.