Why do we need international organisations?
Countries can fight, but they also need each other. An international organisation is a body set up by states to solve common problems: war, disease, poverty, trade quarrels and climate change. It helps countries talk, make rules and co-operate. It is not a world government; it can do only what its members allow.
Evolution of the UN
- 1919: the League of Nations was set up after the First World War. It failed to stop the Second World War.
- 1941: the Atlantic Charter; 1945: the Yalta and San Francisco conferences.
- 24 October 1945: the United Nations came into being with 51 members (UN Day).
- Today it has 193 members; almost every independent state is a member.
- Aims: prevent war, protect human rights, and promote social and economic development.
The main organs of the UN
- General Assembly: all members, one vote each; discusses any world issue.
- Security Council: 15 members: 5 permanent (USA, UK, France, Russia, China) and 10 non-permanent, elected for two years. It keeps peace and security; decisions need 9 votes with no veto from a permanent member.
- Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): economic, social and development issues.
- International Court of Justice: at The Hague; settles legal disputes between states.
- Secretariat: the staff, led by the Secretary-General, the UN's chief officer.
- Trusteeship Council: looked after territories on the way to freedom; now inactive.
Specialised agencies include WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, FAO and UNDP.
Reform of the UN
Two kinds of reform are discussed: reform of the structures and processes (mainly the Security Council) and a review of the issues the UN handles.
Why reform?
- The Security Council reflects 1945, not today's world. Asia, Africa and Latin America are under-represented.
- Members grew from 51 to 193, and new economic powers have risen.
- The veto lets one member block action even when most agree.
- The Council works in a closed way; its choices can seem biased.
After the Cold War
The USSR collapsed, the USA became the strongest power, China and India grew, many new states joined, and new challenges (terrorism, climate change, pandemics) appeared.
Suggested criteria for a new permanent member
A major economic power, a major military power, a large contributor to the UN budget, a large population, respect for democracy and human rights, and representation of a region or civilisation.
The veto debate
Some want to end or limit the veto; others say big powers would leave the UN without it.
India and UN reform
- India supports reform that makes the UN more democratic and gives developing countries a stronger voice.
- India wants the Security Council enlarged in both permanent and non-permanent seats.
- India's claim to a permanent seat: the second-largest population, the largest democracy, a fast-growing major economy, a founding member, one of the largest contributors of troops to UN peacekeeping, and a regular payer of its dues.
- India works with Brazil, Germany and Japan (the G4) for reform.
- Objections raised by some: relations with Pakistan, nuclear weapons outside the NPT, and fear of more regional imbalance.
IMF, World Bank, WTO, ILO and others
- IMF (International Monetary Fund), 1945: oversees the world's financial system, gives advice and short-term loans to countries in trouble. Voting depends on money given, so rich countries have more say.
- World Bank, 1944: loans and grants for development: schools, health, roads, farming, environment. It is criticised for conditions that force poor countries to cut spending.
- WTO (World Trade Organization), 1995: sets rules for world trade and settles trade disputes; replaced GATT. Decisions are by consensus but big economies have more influence.
- ILO (International Labour Organization), 1919: sets standards for workers' rights, fair pay and safe work.
- IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), 1957: promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy and checks that it is not used to make weapons.
- Others: WHO (health), UNESCO (education and culture), UNICEF (children), UNHRC (human rights).
NGOs
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) is set up by citizens, not governments.
- Amnesty International: campaigns for human rights around the world, prepares reports and speaks for prisoners of conscience.
- Human Rights Watch: researches and reports on rights abuses and pushes governments and the media to act, for example on the use of child soldiers and landmines.
NGOs are independent, but governments sometimes accuse them of bias.
Try it yourself
Hold a class 'Security Council': pick 15 students, 5 of them permanent with a veto card. Propose a rule (e.g. 'more sports periods'). Vote. Let one permanent member use the veto. Discuss: is that fair? How would you reform it?
Key formulas and definitions
- League of Nations: 1919; UN: 24 October 1945, 51 → 193 members
- Six organs: GA, SC, ECOSOC, ICJ, Secretariat, Trusteeship Council
- Security Council: 15 = 5 permanent (veto) + 10 elected for 2 years
- Decision: 9 votes, no veto
- IMF 1945, World Bank 1944, WTO 1995 (after GATT), ILO 1919, IAEA 1957
- G4: India, Brazil, Germany, Japan
Worked examples
1. Why was the UN set up?
The League of Nations failed to stop the Second World War, so countries created the UN in 1945 to prevent wars and build co-operation on peace, rights and development.
2. What is the veto power?
The right of each of the five permanent members of the Security Council to block a decision by voting 'no', even if all other members agree.
3. Give three arguments for India's permanent membership of the Security Council.
India is the largest democracy and has about one-sixth of the world's people; it is one of the largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping; it is a major growing economy and pays its dues regularly.
4. How is the WTO different from the IMF?
The WTO sets and enforces rules of international trade and settles trade disputes; the IMF looks after the financial system and lends to countries facing a crisis in payments.
Common mistakes
- Saying the Security Council has 15 permanent members. Only 5 are permanent; 10 are elected.
- Mixing up the IMF (money system, short-term help) with the World Bank (development loans).
- Writing that the UN is a world government. It works only through its member states.
- Saying the General Assembly can pass binding security decisions. Binding decisions on peace come from the Security Council.