International Organisations

Summary (English)

1. Why International Organisations?
   – After WWII, states realised that peace, security, and cooperation required a global institution.
   – League of Nations failed; United Nations (UN) created in 1945.
   – Functions: prevent wars, promote dialogue, tackle global issues like poverty, climate, and human rights.

   2. The United Nations (UN)
   – Established 24 October 1945 with 51 members (now 193).
   – Charter principles: sovereign equality, peaceful dispute settlement, human rights, collective security.

   Key Organs:
   – General Assembly (GA): All members, one vote each; discusses issues, adopts recommendations, approves budget.
   – Security Council (SC): Maintains peace. 15 members (5 permanent with veto: US, UK, France, Russia, China + 10 elected non-permanent).
   – ECOSOC: Coordinates UN agencies.
   – ICJ: Judicial organ in The Hague.
   – Secretariat: Administrative body led by Secretary-General.
   – Trusteeship Council: Now inactive (decolonisation achieved).

   Specialised Agencies: WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, ILO, UNDP, IMF, World Bank, WTO, IAEA.

   3. Need for UN Reforms
   – Criticisms: Security Council reflects 1945, not today; Europe over-represented, Asia/Africa under-represented; veto undemocratic.
   – Reforms: Expand SC membership; more developing country representation; improve transparency.

   India’s Case for Permanent Membership:
   – Largest democracy, 2nd most populous, major economy.
   – Large contributor to UN peacekeeping.
   – Nuclear power and regional leader.
   – Supported by many but consensus lacking.

   4. UN in a Unipolar World
   – After Cold War, US sole superpower.
   – US uses veto frequently; sometimes bypasses UN (Kosovo, Iraq 2003).
   – Critics: UN too dependent on US; supporters: UN gives legitimacy and voice to smaller states.

   5. Other International Organisations
   – WTO: Promotes free trade, resolves disputes.
   – IMF & World Bank: Loans, stability, development.
   – IAEA: Nuclear monitoring, non-proliferation.
   – Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch: Monitor rights violations.
   – NGOs like Greenpeace, Oxfam: Environment, poverty, development.

   6. Key Debates
   – Is UN effective in preventing conflict?
   – Should veto be restricted or abolished?
   – How to make UN more democratic and representative?
   – Can global institutions handle terrorism, climate change, pandemics?

   7. Key Points
   – UN is the most universal, legitimate global body.
   – Reforms are necessary but difficult.
   – Other organisations (WTO, IMF, NGOs) also shape global governance.
   – Multilateralism and cooperation remain essential for global peace and development.