POSC 2200 – International Organizations Russell Alan Williams Department of Political Science.

POSC 2200 – International POSC 2200 – International OrganizationsOrganizations

Russell Alan WilliamsRussell Alan Williams

Department of Political ScienceDepartment of Political Science

Unit Five: Unit Five: International Organizations, NGOInternational Organizations, NGO’’s & s & International LawInternational Law

““International Organizations and Non Governmental International Organizations and Non Governmental OrganizationsOrganizations””

Required Reading:Required Reading: Globalization of World PoliticsGlobalization of World Politics, Chapters 19, 20 and 21., Chapters 19, 20 and 21. Thomas Weiss, Thomas Weiss, ““The Illusion of UN Security Council Reform,The Illusion of UN Security Council Reform,”” The The

Washington QuarterlyWashington Quarterly, Vol. 26(4), (2003), Pp. 147-161. (Available , Vol. 26(4), (2003), Pp. 147-161. (Available through e-journals, or from the instructor.)through e-journals, or from the instructor.)

Outline:Outline:

International OrganizationsInternational Organizations Explaining the Proliferation of IGOExplaining the Proliferation of IGO’’s s Illustration: The United NationsIllustration: The United Nations

The UN and International lawThe UN and International law Reform of the UNReform of the UN

International Non-Governmental Organisations – INGOInternational Non-Governmental Organisations – INGO’’ss ConclusionsConclusions

2) International Organisations – IO2) International Organisations – IO’’s:s:

““Intergovernmental OrganizationsIntergovernmental Organizations”” (IGO (IGO’’s): s): Bodies established by more than two states, controlled Bodies established by more than two states, controlled

by member states, that formalize relations over areas of by member states, that formalize relations over areas of common interestcommon interest

Proliferation of global and regional institutions is Proliferation of global and regional institutions is relatively newrelatively new

E.g. Canada is a member of:E.g. Canada is a member of: UN, WTO, Kyoto Protocol (?), IMF, WB, NAFTA, UN, WTO, Kyoto Protocol (?), IMF, WB, NAFTA,

OECD, OAS . . . and many moreOECD, OAS . . . and many more None of these existed in 1940!None of these existed in 1940!

1) Explaining the Proliferation of IOs:1) Explaining the Proliferation of IOs:Intensification of globalization and global governance Intensification of globalization and global governance

highlights the importance of international institutionshighlights the importance of international institutions

““International RegimesInternational Regimes””: Implicit or explicit rules : Implicit or explicit rules around which actors expectations convergearound which actors expectations converge Normally specific to certain Normally specific to certain ““Policy DomainsPolicy Domains””

E.g. Trade Regime – centres on World Trade Organization (WTO)E.g. Trade Regime – centres on World Trade Organization (WTO) E.g. Climate Change Regime – Centres on Kyoto Protocol E.g. Climate Change Regime – Centres on Kyoto Protocol E.g. International Security Regime – Centres on UNE.g. International Security Regime – Centres on UN

Key idea: Institutions generate more then just formal Key idea: Institutions generate more then just formal agreements = principles, norms, rules and decision-making agreements = principles, norms, rules and decision-making proceduresprocedures

AllAll tend to agree that regimes impact behavior, but tend to agree that regimes impact behavior, but explanations vary:explanations vary:

““RealistsRealists””: Emphasize power and : Emphasize power and ““HegemonyHegemony”” Regimes will weaken when they no longer fit the distribution of Regimes will weaken when they no longer fit the distribution of

powerpower E.g. US Hegemony is in decline = crisis of the UN and WTO . . .E.g. US Hegemony is in decline = crisis of the UN and WTO . . .

““Neoliberal InstitutionalistsNeoliberal Institutionalists””: Emphasize game : Emphasize game theory explanations for cooperation in creating theory explanations for cooperation in creating norms.norms. Focus on Focus on ““Public goodsPublic goods””: International societal benefits that can : International societal benefits that can

only be provided by collective action. States want certain public only be provided by collective action. States want certain public goods and seek institutions that encourage cooperationgoods and seek institutions that encourage cooperation

E.g. Clean Air, Oceans, access to international markets . . . .E.g. Clean Air, Oceans, access to international markets . . . .

““ConstructivistsConstructivists””: Emphasize : Emphasize ““normsnorms”” and and ““norm norm entrepreneursentrepreneurs””

Key analytical points:Key analytical points:

1)1) Proliferation – we live in an era of IO Proliferation – we live in an era of IO influence unlike any otherinfluence unlike any other

2)2) Evolution from Westphalian to Evolution from Westphalian to Post-Post-Westphalian notions of sovereigntyWestphalian notions of sovereignty

--““IntergovernmentalismIntergovernmentalism”” to to ““politicspolitics”” – – IOs have more authority, and directly IOs have more authority, and directly link with civil society actors, bypassing link with civil society actors, bypassing statesstates

Established, 1945 by winning Established, 1945 by winning statesstates of WWII . . . . of WWII . . . .

In recent decades there has been both considerable optimism In recent decades there has been both considerable optimism about the role of the UN and increasingly . . . considerable about the role of the UN and increasingly . . . considerable doubts about its effectiveness.doubts about its effectiveness.

E.g. Struggles with the steady evolution from E.g. Struggles with the steady evolution from Westphalian sovereignty to . . . ?Westphalian sovereignty to . . . ?

E.g. Struggles with the legacy of its founding organizationE.g. Struggles with the legacy of its founding organization

3) Illustration - United Nations (UN)3) Illustration - United Nations (UN)

1) Role of the UN is outlined in the 1) Role of the UN is outlined in the ““UN CharterUN Charter”” – a confusing – a confusing documentdocument

Preamble: Affirms fundamental rights, Preamble: Affirms fundamental rights, ““dignity of the persondignity of the person”” and equal and equal rights among men and women . . . .rights among men and women . . . .

Article 1: Purpose of UN is to promote friendly relations based on equal Article 1: Purpose of UN is to promote friendly relations based on equal rights and self determination for all peoples.rights and self determination for all peoples.

Article 2: Nothing in the Charter gives the UN the right to interfere in Article 2: Nothing in the Charter gives the UN the right to interfere in domestic jurisdictionsdomestic jurisdictions

Chapter 6: Promotes peaceful mechanisms for resolving disputes – Chapter 6: Promotes peaceful mechanisms for resolving disputes – apparently includes apparently includes ““PeacekeepingPeacekeeping”” missions, but does not mention it . . . missions, but does not mention it . . .

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: ““Peace EnforcementPeace Enforcement”” – The Security Council can authorize – The Security Council can authorize the use of force to resolve disputesthe use of force to resolve disputes

2) The UN has a number of core bodies overseeing its activities:2) The UN has a number of core bodies overseeing its activities:General AssemblyGeneral AssemblySecurity CouncilSecurity CouncilSecretariatSecretariatEconomic and Social Council (ECOSOC)Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

3) UN is also made up of 3) UN is also made up of manymany institutions, and plays a role in institutions, and plays a role in many different regimes – it hosts:many different regimes – it hosts:

Specialized Agencies:Specialized Agencies: -World Health Organization (WHO)-World Health Organization (WHO)

-International Labour Organization (ILO)-International Labour Organization (ILO)

Special Funds: Special Funds: -United Nations Children's-United Nations Children's’’ Fund (UNICEF) Fund (UNICEF)

Special Programs: Special Programs: -United Nations Development Program (UNDP)-United Nations Development Program (UNDP)

a) a) ““General AssemblyGeneral Assembly””: 192 : 192 members – one state/one vote members – one state/one vote decision-makingdecision-making ““Super majorities” (2/3) required for Super majorities” (2/3) required for

resolutions on major security issuesresolutions on major security issues Simple majorities for most businessSimple majorities for most business

More important in More important in decolonization and decolonization and Cold WarCold War period(?)period(?)

Scene of struggles over UN Scene of struggles over UN principles relating to functional principles relating to functional issuesissues Human rights, development etc.Human rights, development etc.

Less important in post cold war Less important in post cold war era . . . .era . . . .

b) b) ““Security CouncilSecurity Council””: 15 members (5 permanent – : 15 members (5 permanent – with with ““veto powerveto power””))

Current elected members:Current elected members:

Jordon, Malaysia Jordon, Malaysia Angola, Chad, Nigeria Angola, Chad, Nigeria Chile, Venezuela Chile, Venezuela Spain, New Zealand(?)Spain, New Zealand(?) LithuaniaLithuania

Has control over Chapter 7 Has control over Chapter 7 ““peace enforcementpeace enforcement”” measures – both authorization and direction . . . .measures – both authorization and direction . . . .

More important post cold war – why?More important post cold war – why?

Only Only ““Security CouncilSecurity Council”” can authorize use of can authorize use of force against aggressorsforce against aggressors Cold War superpowers would veto any mission Cold War superpowers would veto any mission

= marginalized UN= marginalized UN’’s role in armed conflicts role in armed conflict

1950 – North Korea invades South Korea1950 – North Korea invades South Korea US and Allies (UK and France) demand UN US and Allies (UK and France) demand UN

armed interventionarmed intervention

UN Collective Security and UN Collective Security and Peace EnforcementPeace Enforcement- The Korean War- The Korean War

““Security CouncilSecurity Council””:: China?China? Soviet Union?Soviet Union?

Result: Result: UNUN fights North Korea and China fights North Korea and China Other major UN Peace Enforcement Missions?Other major UN Peace Enforcement Missions?

1990-1991 Gulf War 1990-1991 Gulf War 2001 Afghanistan?2001 Afghanistan? 1999 Kosovo?1999 Kosovo? 2013 Syria?2013 Syria?

Is the Is the ““Security CouncilSecurity Council”” in touch with UN principles? in touch with UN principles?

UN Collective Security and UN Collective Security and ““Peace Peace EnforcementEnforcement”” - The Korean War - The Korean War

3) 3) ““SecretariatSecretariat””::

45,000 UN Bureaucrats – headed by elected 45,000 UN Bureaucrats – headed by elected ““Secretary GeneralSecretary General”” – 5 years – 5 years

Currently Ban Ki-moon of South KoreaCurrently Ban Ki-moon of South Korea

Possibility of Possibility of ““activistactivist”” agenda agenda

E.g. Kofi Annan (2001-E.g. Kofi Annan (2001-2006) -2006) - Major Major supporter of supporter of ““Human Human SecuritySecurity”” and more UN and more UN intervention and peace intervention and peace enforcementenforcement

4) 4) ““ECOSOCECOSOC”” (Economic and Social (Economic and Social Council):Council):

Key economic council Key economic council ““overseeingoverseeing”” economic economic

agenciesagencies Sidelined by major organizations (e.g. IMF)Sidelined by major organizations (e.g. IMF) Developed expansive relationships with INGODeveloped expansive relationships with INGO’’s interested in s interested in

economic issues . . . .economic issues . . . .

Modern UN Challenges:Modern UN Challenges:

1) Peacekeeping, Sovereignty and the “Law of War”1) Peacekeeping, Sovereignty and the “Law of War”

““PeacekeepingPeacekeeping””: Informal response to lack of Chapter 7 : Informal response to lack of Chapter 7 enforcement missionsenforcement missions= = ““Third partyThird party”” demarcation between warring forces – usually interstate demarcation between warring forces – usually interstate

conflictconflict E.g. CypressE.g. Cypress

More successful?More successful?

Complex PeacekeepingComplex Peacekeeping: Intervention between factions in civil : Intervention between factions in civil wars in situations where peacekeepers may not have been wars in situations where peacekeepers may not have been invited – Sovereignty?????invited – Sovereignty?????

SomaliaSomalia East TimorEast Timor

Messy – has led to a number of failures . . . .Messy – has led to a number of failures . . . .

““Post-Conflict PeacebuildingPost-Conflict Peacebuilding””: Development of social, economic : Development of social, economic and political infrastructure necessary to prevent further and political infrastructure necessary to prevent further violence = consolidate peace.violence = consolidate peace.

=Expensive, messy and unproductive (?)=Expensive, messy and unproductive (?) E.g. AfghanistanE.g. Afghanistan

The UN and International Law of War:The UN and International Law of War: Un generates international law that regulates the Un generates international law that regulates the

conduct of war.conduct of war. When is war When is war ““justifiablejustifiable””? – ? – ““Jus ad bellumJus ad bellum”” What is legal conduct during war? – What is legal conduct during war? – ““Jus in belloJus in bello””

Sources - Sources - ““Just War TraditionJust War Tradition””: Defines criteria : Defines criteria that must be met to make war ethical or moral. that must be met to make war ethical or moral. Also suggest conduct of war should be guided by Also suggest conduct of war should be guided by

moral rules.moral rules.

Grotius & Micheal WaltzerGrotius & Micheal Waltzer

Conditions that legally justify war and use Conditions that legally justify war and use of force: (of force: (““Jus ad bellumJus ad bellum””))

Cause:Cause: Self defense (!)Self defense (!) Defense of others under attack – E.g. UN Defense of others under attack – E.g. UN

Security Council approved Security Council approved ““Peace Peace EnforcementEnforcement”” operation operation

Major human rights crisis occurring (?)Major human rights crisis occurring (?) Pre-emptive self defense (?)Pre-emptive self defense (?)

Rules for legal conduct during war: (Rules for legal conduct during war: (““Jus in belloJus in bello””))

Originate in the Originate in the ““Geneva ConventionsGeneva Conventions””, but now , but now overseen by UN agencies – E.g. the overseen by UN agencies – E.g. the ““International International Criminal CourtCriminal Court””

CombatantsCombatants & & Non-CombatantsNon-Combatants must be treated must be treated differentlydifferently

Non-combatants should be protected from harm – deliberate Non-combatants should be protected from harm – deliberate targeting of civilians is illegal(!)targeting of civilians is illegal(!)

Violence should be proportionate to end goals and Violence should be proportionate to end goals and ““undueundue”” violence must be avoided violence must be avoided

Use of indiscriminate weapons?Use of indiscriminate weapons?

Many, many, many legal conventions surrounding the Many, many, many legal conventions surrounding the use of prohibited weaponsuse of prohibited weapons

E.g. Gas, chemical weapons, land mines . . . E.g. Gas, chemical weapons, land mines . . .

Legal or Legal or ““Just” Wars? Just” Wars?

NATONATO’’s war with Serbia s war with Serbia (Kosovo) 1999?(Kosovo) 1999?

US led invasion of Iraq 2003?US led invasion of Iraq 2003?

NATO occupation of NATO occupation of Afghanistan 2001?Afghanistan 2001?

Modern UN Challenges:Modern UN Challenges:

2) Security Council Reform: 2) Security Council Reform:

Not representative - permanent members?????Not representative - permanent members?????

Some states out of touch with UN values?Some states out of touch with UN values? Should Russia and China have vetoShould Russia and China have veto’’s?????s?????

Possible reforms:Possible reforms:

New permanent members?New permanent members?

Japan, Germany or Brazil and India . . . ?Japan, Germany or Brazil and India . . . ?

Removal of some permanent members?Removal of some permanent members?

France?France?

Election of all members?Election of all members?

Who would be elected?Who would be elected?

No agreement . . . But failure to reform hurting legitimacy of No agreement . . . But failure to reform hurting legitimacy of UN . . .UN . . .

Thomas Weiss – Thomas Weiss – ““The Illusion of UN Security Council ReformThe Illusion of UN Security Council Reform””

QuestionQuestion – Can reforming the – Can reforming the Security CouncilSecurity Council make the UN make the UN more relevant?more relevant? Context – Refusal of Security Council to approve US intervention in Context – Refusal of Security Council to approve US intervention in

Iraq (2003)Iraq (2003)

Argument - Iraq debate highlighted current Security CouncilArgument - Iraq debate highlighted current Security Council’’s s inability to act – for selfish reasons – was a inability to act – for selfish reasons – was a ““referendumreferendum”” on on how members felt about US power, not a good assessment of how members felt about US power, not a good assessment of what the UN should do . . . .what the UN should do . . . .

Argument - Formal reform will not work:Argument - Formal reform will not work:1) Permanent members have 1) Permanent members have ““Veto PowerVeto Power”” over reform and some are over reform and some are

clinging to the status quo as last hold on major global role – E.g. clinging to the status quo as last hold on major global role – E.g. France and U.K.France and U.K.

2) Adding more permanent members will only make it harder to do 2) Adding more permanent members will only make it harder to do anything (anything (effectiveness is more important than processeffectiveness is more important than process))

3) Deciding who to add is problematic . . . .3) Deciding who to add is problematic . . . .

Thomas Weiss – Thomas Weiss – ““The Illusion of UN Security Council ReformThe Illusion of UN Security Council Reform””

Argument - Formal reform will not work:Argument - Formal reform will not work:4) The shadow of the 4) The shadow of the ““League of NationsLeague of Nations”” – The Security Council can – The Security Council can

only work if it reflects the will of the powerful!only work if it reflects the will of the powerful! E.g. Blocking Iraq resolution was foolish – it increased the gap E.g. Blocking Iraq resolution was foolish – it increased the gap

between UN procedure and the US military power – between UN procedure and the US military power – power power necessary to make any major mission effective.necessary to make any major mission effective.

Solutions - ?????Solutions - ????? Fudge it . . . . His idea is that the Security Council should informally Fudge it . . . . His idea is that the Security Council should informally

agree to stop using their agree to stop using their ““Veto PowerVeto Power”” in relation to anything but full in relation to anything but full blown Chapter 7 blown Chapter 7 ““Peace EnforcementPeace Enforcement”” missions. missions.

E.g. On most issues, follow emerging international law . . . .E.g. On most issues, follow emerging international law . . . . E.g. Kosovo – human rights violations warranted some sort of action – vetoing E.g. Kosovo – human rights violations warranted some sort of action – vetoing

that is wrong . . . It makes the UN irrelevant.that is wrong . . . It makes the UN irrelevant.

Is his solution a likely outcome?Is his solution a likely outcome?

2) International Organisations – INGO2) International Organisations – INGO’’s:s:

““International Nongovernmental OrganisationsInternational Nongovernmental Organisations”” (ING (INGOO’’s): Private organizations involved in cross border s): Private organizations involved in cross border political activitypolitical activity Important in Important in LiberalLiberal and and ConstructivistConstructivist approaches approaches Similar to IGOSimilar to IGO’’s – Number of NGOs – Number of NGO’’s has grown s has grown

exponentiallyexponentially Few historical examples:Few historical examples:

Antislavery campaignAntislavery campaign Church organizationsChurch organizations Red CrossRed Cross

Linked to growth of Linked to growth of post-Westphalianpost-Westphalian IO IO’’ss

E.g. INGOE.g. INGO’’s now formally network with UN s now formally network with UN institutions directly – debases role of statesinstitutions directly – debases role of states

Two Principle types:Two Principle types: Business and industry groups – E.g. Business and industry groups – E.g. World Economic World Economic

ForumForum Civil society advocacy groups - most linked to single Civil society advocacy groups - most linked to single

identifiable causeidentifiable cause

Amnesty InternationalAmnesty International & & Human Rights WatchHuman Rights Watch = = human rightshuman rights

GreenpeaceGreenpeace = Protection of endangered species = Protection of endangered species

Power and influence?Power and influence? Rely on the value of their Rely on the value of their informationinformation, , expertiseexpertise and and

moral authoritymoral authority to influence state and IGO decision to influence state and IGO decision makers = makers = ““Norm EntrepreneursNorm Entrepreneurs””

However, many lack economic resources and However, many lack economic resources and political access to wield much power . . . .political access to wield much power . . . .

INGOINGO’’s in Action: International s in Action: International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)

Umbrella org supported by Umbrella org supported by many NGOmany NGO’’ss Jody Williams Jody Williams Princess DiannaPrincess Dianna

Wanted international law Wanted international law banning the production banning the production and use of landminesand use of landmines Why?Why?Practical and legal Practical and legal

problems . . .problems . . .

Initially, little support Initially, little support outside of a few countriesoutside of a few countries

INGOINGO’’s in Action: International s in Action: International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)

Public campaign results in Public campaign results in 156 countries ratifying 156 countries ratifying treaty – few non members treaty – few non members – most of them – most of them ““badbad””

www.icbl.org

Result:Result: 34 million mines destroyed 34 million mines destroyed

in 61 statesin 61 states $1.4 Billion in assistance to $1.4 Billion in assistance to

mine removalmine removal International law?International law?

INGOINGO’’s in Action: International s in Action: International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)

Implications?Implications?

Shows power of international INGOShows power of international INGO’’s????s????

Or, their weakness????Or, their weakness????

Are INGO’s increasing role Are INGO’s increasing role ““legitimatelegitimate””?? Business groups have argued that many INGOBusiness groups have argued that many INGO’’s are not s are not representative of the public –representative of the public – that role should be left to that role should be left to statesstates

E.G. E.G. ““Anti-globalization/Global Social JusticeAnti-globalization/Global Social Justice”” movement movement

Many Many ““Social MovementSocial Movement”” INGO activists worry about INGO activists worry about formal INGO relationships with IGOformal INGO relationships with IGO’’ss

To cooperate with the UN an INGO among other things, must:To cooperate with the UN an INGO among other things, must: Support the goals of the UNSupport the goals of the UN Be democraticBe democratic Not advocate violenceNot advocate violence

E.g. E.g. ““International Red CrossInternational Red Cross””

In theory, more critical groups are excludedIn theory, more critical groups are excluded

4) For Next Time . . .4) For Next Time . . .

Unit Five: International Security, War and Strife

“Modern Conflict”Globalization of World Politics, Chapters 14, 15 and 23.Joseph Jockel & Joel Sokolsky, “Canada and the war in Afghanistan: NATO's odd man out steps forward, Journal of Transatlantic Studies, 6:1, (2008), Pp. 100-115. (Available from e-journals, or from the instructor).