International Organizations Course Notes

An international organization of 27 European countries that govern economic, social, and security policies together.

A group of major oil and gas companies that dominated the industry in the mid-20th century.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a group of 13 countries that work together to influence global oil prices.

A group of major oil producers, including OPEC members and its allies, who work together to coordinate oil production and prices.

International Governmental Organizations (IGOs) are organizations that involve multiple countries in global governance and cooperation.

The European Union (EU) is an IGO consisting of 27 member states, focused on economic, social, and security policy coordination.

Russia's desire to keep oil prices low and its strong influence within OPEC+ potentially create tension.

OPEC+ countries' reluctance to significantly increase oil production to reduce prices might be due to factors such as not wishing to succumb to Western demands, technical limitations within the organization in terms of fulfilling growing demands and maintaining good relations with key members like Russia.

The European Union (EU) is the second largest democracy in the world.

The EU is home to 450 million people.

The EU has seven institutions that share power.

The European Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Council are the three main institutions of the EU each with a different leader.

The President of the European Commission is considered the closest equivalent to a leader of the EU. The current president is Ursula von der Leyen.

The EU promotes economic growth by creating a single market where goods, services, capital, and people move freely across national borders. It also negotiates trade deals with other countries like Japan, Canada, and South Korea.

The EU develops and implements common policies in key areas like agriculture, environment, energy, and transportation. It supports farmers, promotes green initiatives, and manages energy resources.

The EU aims to protect fundamental human rights like freedom of expression, privacy, and non-discrimination. It ensures that citizens have these rights and strives to uphold them.

The EU's population is approximately 448 million, which represents around 5.8% of the global population. This means that nearly one in every twenty people in the world lives in an EU state!

The EU's annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is around US $ 16.6 trillion. This is approximately one-sixth of the global GDP, making it the third-largest economy in the world.

The EU's motto is "United in diversity", a reminder that it's a diverse group of countries working together. The "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's 9th Symphony is the EU's anthem, a symbol of unity and harmony.

Brussels is the administrative heart of the EU, hosting the European Commission, Council of Ministers, European Council, and Parliament. Frankfurt houses the EU's Central Bank. Luxembourg is home to the European Parliament and Council of Ministers secretariats, Court of Justice, and Commission, while Strasbourg is the EU Parliament's second home.

The EU's origins trace back to the aftermath of World War II. Six Western European countries sought closer economic, social, and political ties to recover from the war and build a peaceful future.

The EU's formation was driven by multiple motivations: promoting economic growth, strengthening military security, and fostering reconciliation, particularly between France and Germany.

The US motto, "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of many, one), reflects the idea of unity from a diverse group of states, similar to the EU's motto. This emphasizes the shared values of both the EU and the US.

The concept that a language is more than just a tool for communication but also reflects the power dynamics of the society using it.

The process of making something available in multiple languages, often with the goal of promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

The principle of ensuring that all laws and official documents are available in all official languages of the EU.

The idea that all languages have equal value and should be treated with respect and dignity.

The languages used for daily operations and communication within EU institutions.

The use of a common language, often English, to facilitate communication between people who speak different native languages.

The discrepancy between the EU's official languages and its working languages, highlighting a potential conflict between stated goals and actual practices.

The potential financial burden of translating all EU documents into all 24 official languages, which is a key driver behind the limited use of working languages.

The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was a group of six European countries formed in 1951 to collaborate on coal and steel production, promoting economic cooperation and stability.

The Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957. It was designed to bring about greater economic integration among its members by promoting free trade and movement of goods, services, and people.

The European Atomic Energy Community (EurAtom) was established alongside the EEC in 1957. It aimed to promote collaboration in atomic energy development, research, and utilization.

The European Union (EU) expanded in 1993. The member countries started working together not only in economics and politics, but also in justice, foreign affairs, and the shared currency, the euro.

The Schengen Agreement, signed in 1995, abolished passport controls between participating EU countries. This allows EU citizens to live, work, study, and retire anywhere within the Schengen area.

The euro became the official currency of the eurozone in 2002. It quickly became the second-largest reserve currency worldwide, signifying the EU's growing economic influence.

Greece faced a severe sovereign debt crisis in the 2010s, leading to a prolonged recession and the downgrade of its stock market. The EU's response, including austerity measures, had negative consequences for the Greek economy and society.

In 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union, a decision based on a 2016 referendum known as 'Brexit'. The UK's departure marked a significant change in the EU's landscape.