The United Nations Lecture 1 Spring 2013 Professor OMalley UN -- Introduction.
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The United Nations Lecture 1 Spring 2013 Professor O’Malley UN -- Introduction
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Transcript of The United Nations Lecture 1 Spring 2013 Professor OMalley UN -- Introduction.
The United Nations
Lecture 1Spring 2013Professor O’Malley
UN -- Introduction
Essentials
1. Buy the textbook (see the website)
2. Website – www.disomalley.com here
First 3 Questions
1. Why are you in this class?
2. What can you tell me about the UN?
3. What do you think about the UN?
What is the UN?
• It is a ‘confederation’ of sovereign states• It is a mechanism; an instrument of
negotiation• It is an intergovernmental organization (IO
or IGO)• It is a consolidating axis for organizations that
link states more closely together
What is it not?• It is not a superstate able to act outside the
framework of decisions of its members• It is not a world government
Theoretical Perspectives
*Through what lens can we view the UN?*
• Realism (IOs only good to gain relative power, can’t change human nature)
• Idealism (States can cooperate to help mankind)
• Marxism (Capitalists use UN/IOs to dominate others)
• Critical Theory / Constructivism (UN convenes diverse actors and importance depends on construction of int’l affairs at time)
• Feminism (UN can serve broader communal goals)
• Dependency Theory (UN and its orgs. Can change the world economic system)
*There are others as well
What lens will we use?
We will not use one specific theory. Your textbook will rarely mention theories. However, these theories are useful for noticing trends in UN history and policy.
The UN is a complex organization: • It is a system of organizations.• It has many obligations.• It is constantly evolving.
*One theory or view is not sufficient*
The UN System
* How many of you know the World Bank, IMF and WTO are part of the UN system?
Homework
Check the website!
