What are International Organizations?
The international organization is an ideal institution to draw the membership from the least of the three states. It involves the activities from the various states, and the membership of the same is held closely by means of the formal agreement. It is customary to hear about the Union of International Associations. The International organization is a coordinating body, and it can well differentiate between more than two hundred and fifty international governmental organizations known as IGOs. These have been established and organized through intergovernmental agreements, and the states are the obvious members here.
Now let us learn what are international organizations in detail.
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International organizations are formed by international groups, and it is just like living in a world of law. Here the sovereign states are the main legal actors, and the organizations are becoming increasingly important to help people to govern the world from various aspects. The present-day international system comprises the cacophony of various interests of several international groups. To add to the states, there are even the non-governmental organizations and multiple corporations, and these are hybrid institutions, and they stand as mixtures and combinations of different categories.
List of International Organizations and Their Functions
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – This was established in the year 1865 and had its headquarters in Geneva. It is one of the international institutions having the responsibility to set the international laws and regulations in the field of radiotelegraphy and also in matters of space radio and telephone interactions.
International Labour Organisation (ILO) – The organization came to be established in the year 1919 and has its headquarters in Geneva. Here the role of international organizations is to improve the living standards and the conditions of the general workers.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) – To explain the different international organizations, you can say that the IMF came into being in the year 1845 and has its headquarters in Washington DC. The purpose of the organization is to promote the factor of an international financial corporation.
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) – When judging the importance of international organizations, the mention of UNICEF comes to the top. The organization was established in the year 1945, and the headquarters is based in New York. The purpose of the organization is to promote the welfare of children in all parts of the world.
Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) – Among the groups of national and international organisations, this is a unit that came into being in 1945. In Rome, it has its headquarters, and the purpose of the same is to improve the living conditions mainly of the rural and the underdeveloped population. The organization is also responsible for looking after the food factor showing concern for the health of the common population.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) – Based on the evolution of international organizations, the mention of UNESCO comes first in the list. The organization came to be established in the year 1946, and its headquarters are there in Paris. The purpose of the organization is to promote the kind of collaboration among various nations by means of educational culture and science.
World Health Organization (WHO) – The year of establishment is 1948, and the headquarters is in Geneva. It is the organization with the main purpose to attain the highest possible level in the sector of health by the whole population.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – IAEA as the global organization was established in the year 1960, and it is known to have its headquarters in Washington DC. The purpose of the organization is to make possible a branch of the World Bank, and it is the aim of the organization to help the underdeveloped nations to have the right and plausible living standards.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – There are several functions of international organizations, and the name of UNDP comes first on the list. The organization was established in 1965, and the headquarters are there in New York. UNDP is the organization that helps the developing countries to cause an increase in the wealth production capability making use of human and natural resources. This is how it helps in improving the financial condition of nations all over the world.
The international organizations hold the responsibility to look after the welfare of all people with the right and the legitimate intervention. They have all tools and policies on hold to make decisions and do amendments in making things possible for the interest of the whole world.
FAQs on International Organizations
1. What are international organizations and their main types?
An international organization is an institution established by a treaty or other formal agreement, with a membership of at least two sovereign states. They serve as platforms for cooperation on global issues. The two main types are:
- Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs): Composed of sovereign states as members. Examples include the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
- International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs): These are private organizations that operate internationally to address specific social or political issues, such as Greenpeace or Amnesty International.
2. What is the primary purpose of having international organizations in world politics?
The primary purpose of international organizations is to manage interdependence and resolve collective problems that no single state can solve alone. They provide mechanisms for cooperation on issues like international peace and security, economic stability, human rights, and environmental protection. They help establish common rules and norms, prevent conflicts, and facilitate dialogue between nations.
3. What are some key examples of international organizations relevant to the CBSE Class 12 syllabus?
For the CBSE Class 12 Political Science syllabus, some of the most important international organizations to study include:
- The United Nations (UN) and its principal organs.
- Specialised UN agencies like UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), and the WHO (World Health Organization).
- Global financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- The World Trade Organization (WTO), which governs international trade.
4. What is the basic structure of the United Nations (UN)?
The United Nations is structured around six principal organs, as established by the UN Charter:
- The General Assembly: The main deliberative body where all 193 member states are represented.
- The Security Council: Responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
- The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Coordinates the economic and social work of the UN.
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ): The principal judicial organ.
- The Secretariat: Carries out the day-to-day work of the UN.
- The Trusteeship Council: Established to oversee Trust Territories, it became inactive after its mission was completed.
5. What is the main difference between the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?
The main difference lies in their primary functions. The World Bank focuses on long-term economic development and poverty reduction by providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries for specific projects, like building infrastructure or improving education. In contrast, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) works to ensure the stability of the international monetary system, providing short-term loans to countries facing balance-of-payments problems and offering policy advice.
6. How can international organizations limit the sovereignty of a member nation?
International organizations can limit a nation's sovereignty by creating a framework of international laws, treaties, and norms that member states agree to follow. By joining an organization like the WTO or signing a human rights convention, a country voluntarily accepts obligations that can influence its domestic policies on trade, environment, or law. While a state retains its ultimate sovereignty, its freedom of action is constrained by the rules and potential sanctions of the organizations it belongs to.
7. Why is there a persistent demand to reform the UN Security Council?
The demand to reform the UN Security Council stems from the belief that its current structure is outdated and unrepresentative of the 21st-century world. Key issues include:
- Lack of equitable representation: Continents like Africa and South America have no permanent members.
- The Veto Power: The five permanent members (P5) can block any resolution, which is often seen as undemocratic and a tool for national interest.
- Outdated P5 Membership: The P5 reflects the power balance of 1945, not today's geopolitical realities, ignoring the rise of countries like India, Germany, Japan, and Brazil.
8. How do specialized UN agencies like UNESCO and UNICEF impact life beyond high-level politics?
Specialized UN agencies have a direct, tangible impact on people's daily lives globally. For example, UNICEF works on the ground to provide vaccinations, improve nutrition, and advocate for children's rights and education in developing countries. Similarly, UNESCO protects world cultural and natural heritage sites that people visit and cherish, promotes literacy programs, and supports scientific cooperation, demonstrating that international cooperation extends far beyond political and security matters.
9. Why is India considered a strong candidate for permanent membership in the UN Security Council?
India's claim for permanent membership is based on several key factors. It is the world's most populous country, has the fifth-largest economy, and possesses a nuclear arsenal. Furthermore, India has a long and consistent history of contributing to UN peacekeeping missions and has always been an active and influential voice for the developing world. Its democratic credentials and growing global stature are also significant arguments in its favour.
