Topics for today Events of the day/week IGOs and theories of IR UN and EU Study Questions, Nau p....

Topics for today Events of the day/week IGOs and theories of IR UN and EU Study Questions, Nau p. 392

Do you know the answers? Why is the United Nations relatively less

successful than the European Union? 2/13/2008 Hans Peter Schmitz

States – and what else?

International Governmental Organizations (IGOs) United Nations, European Union, UNESCO, NATO,

FAO, WHO, WMO….

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Economic power: Multinational Corporations (MNCs) Moral power: Transnational Advocacy Networks Illicit power: Drug Cartels and Terrorists

2/13/2008 Hans Peter Schmitz

IGOs and NGOs

IGO: created and joined by governments, which give them authority to make collective decisions to manage particular global problems.

NGO: not created by states or other intergovernmental organizations

Examples: Oxfam, International Red Cross, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, etc.


IGOs in international relations

Neorealism:

Instruments of great powers

Neoliberal institutionalism:

Arenas facilitating cooperation

Idealism/Constructivism:

Actors shaping state interests and behavior


Liberalism: IGO as arenas

IGOs primarily lower transaction and information costs for states: Provide a forum for discussion Supply information about problems/other actors Help with monitoring/enforcement Provide third-party mediation


Idealism: IGO as actors

Shape the social environment of states: Frame and constitute the state system Favor cooperative solutions to global problems

(forum effects) Teach states about their interests De-legitimize certain interests and behavior (use of

violence, nuclear and biological weapons, etc.). Empower non-state activism and (universal) norms


Classifying IGOs

Who is admitted as a member? What are the responsibilities of an IGO? What are the decision-making procedures?

Majority voting, weighted voting, unanimity voting

What are the competencies of administrative bodies (secretariat)?

What mechanisms for dispute resolution exist?

>>>> Comparing UN and EU2/13/2008 Hans Peter Schmitz

Classifying IGOsMandate

Membership

Universal

GeneralUN

Limited

Specialized

UNESCO, ILO, WTO, UNICEF, FAO, UNHCR, WHO

OPEC

EU

NATO

OAS

G-77


Comparing the UN and the EU

The United Nations Headquarters: New York (Geneva, Vienna), Budget: $1.8

billion (2005; 4.5b for peacekeeping); ten states pay for 75% of the budget

Multi-purpose and global organization devoted to international peace and security/promotion of universal aims

Main bodies: Security Council and General Assembly The European Union

Headquarters: Brussels (Strasbourg, Luxembourg), Budget: $121 billion (2005)

Mainly economic organization with regional membership Main bodies: European Commission, Parliament, Council,

Court of Justice, European Central Bank.2/13/2008 Hans Peter Schmitz

UN Budget for 2005 (in Million-$): top contributors

United States*: 440 (24%)

Japan: 346 (19%)

Germany: 154 (8%)

UK*: 109 (6%)

France*: 107 (6%)

Italy: 87 (5%)

Canada: 50 (3%)

Spain: 45 (2%)

China*: 37 (2%)

Mexico: 34 (2%)

South Korea: 32 (1.9%)

Netherlands: 30 (1.7%)

Russia*: 29 (1.3%)

Australia: 28 (1.2%)

Brazil: 27 (1.2%)

Switzerland: 21 (1%)


General Assembly and Security Council

Security Council: 15 members; ten non-permanent, five permanent with veto power (China, US, Russia, France, and Great Britain).

General Assembly: One state-one vote. Africa and Asia combine now for 56 per cent of the GA votes, rather than 24 per cent in 1945.

See chart. 2/13/2008 Hans Peter Schmitz

Comparing Institutions I

European Commission: independent from member states, exclusive authority to initiate legislation, “guardian of the treaties,” about 25,000 civil servants for 25 member states

UN Secretariat: responsible for day-today operations; services the principal organs of the UN; about 8,900 civil servants for 192 member states


Comparing Institutions II

European Parliament: directly elected representatives from all member states; approves the budget (with the Council)

UN General Assembly: one state – one vote; makes primarily non-binding decisions (resolutions; except: budget)


Comparing Institutions III

European Court of Justice: power to interpret and enforce EU treaties; hears cases from individuals and corporations; effective in enforcing community law

International Court of Justice: relies on prior acceptance by state parties; hears cases from states only; ineffective in enforcing international law


Regional IGOs

Americas: Organization of American States (OAS)MERCOSUR

Africa: African Union (AU, since 2002); previously:

Organization of African Unity (OAU)

Asia: Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Middle East: League of Arab States


Why is European integration a success?

Why is European integration progressing while the UN struggles to fulfill its mandate? Shock of World War II and the Holocaust. United States support during in Cold War. Economic integration as focal point. Economic

growth of the 1950s/60s legitimized integration. Cultural differences are less pronounced.

Europe: A model for the rest of the world?Answer: Not likely. The United States and Germany played

a unique role in the unification of Europe. 2/13/2008 Hans Peter Schmitz

Summary: Understanding IGO success and limits

Lessons Learned Unique conditions in Europe after World War II.

Start with a small number of countries and focus only on economic integration.

Avoid a mismatch of mandate and capabilities. Expand mandate and membership slowly. Pre-screen new members and create separate steps of

integration; members must be democracies. Deepen integration on the basis of consensus, even if it

takes longer.


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