United Nations Quiz

Structures of Globalization

• Globalization encompasses a global interstate system and global governance.
• The United Nations (UN) is a key organization within this system.

The Interstate System

• This system is a focal point in International Relations.
• Political scientists often refer to it as the International System.
• It encompasses all human interactions.

Understanding the Interstate System

• The interstate system can be a unit of analysis for understanding war.
• A key assumption, from a realist perspective, is that states act as unitary actors.
• An important feature of the system is that it's anarchic, with states frequently facing threats and prioritizing security.

Need for Global Governance

• Global governance is needed to address international issues and problems.
• It aims to promote international peace and security.

What is Global Governance?

• Global governance comprises formal and informal arrangements that create order and facilitate collective action worldwide.
• It exists in the absence of a global government, and involves coordination among states and non-state actors.
• A useful definition of global governance was established by Young (1999)

Actors in Global Governance

• State Actors:
• Sovereign states (e.g., the US, Japan)
• International Governmental Organizations (IGOs):
• Global IGOs (e.g., the UN)
• Regional IGOs (e.g., ASEAN)
• Non-State Actors:
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
• Churches
• Political Parties
• Individuals/People

About the United Nations

• The name "United Nations" was coined by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 1, 1942.
• WWII ended in 1945, creating a global desire for peace.
• To achieve this peace, 51 countries gathered in San Francisco.
• The UN Charter, establishing the UN in 1945, marked a formal commencement.
• Currently, 193 countries are UN members. South Sudan joined in July 2011.

UN Goals

• The UN promotes cooperation, peace, and security internationally.
• The UN also promotes humanitarian assistance, development, upholding international law and democracy.

Structure of The United Nations

• The General Assembly:

• The primary deliberative body of the UN.

• All member states have one vote, regardless of size or influence.

• Discusses matters outlined in the UN Charter.

• Decisions related to peace, security, membership, and the budget need a two-thirds majority.

• Generally other matters require a simple majority vote.

• The Security Council:

• Primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

• Can establish peacekeeping operations.

• Has five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) and ten more rotating members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.

• The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC):

• The central body for coordinating the economic and social work of the UN.

• Composed of 54 members with equal geographical representation.

• Each member has one vote in simple majority voting systems.

• Recommends and directs activities aimed at promoting economic growth in developing countries, supporting human rights, and fostering world cooperation to fight poverty.

• The Trusteeship Council:

• Manages trust territories (formerly colonies).

• Comprised of permanent Security Council members.

• More than 70 colonial territories achieved independence with UN assistance, with Palau being the last in 1994..

• Suspended operations in 1994, resuming on occasion when necessary

• The International Court of Justice (ICJ):

• The main judicial organ of the UN, located in The Hague.

• Setstles legal disputes only among nations, per international law.

• Over 150 cases have been considered since 1946, resulting in numerous judgments.

• Consists of 15 judges elected for nine-year terms—one per nation—by the General Assembly and Security Council.

• The Secretariat:

• The UN's international staff is located at or in connection with headquarters in New York, as well as Geneva, Vienna, Nairobi, and other locations.

• Composed of 16,000 staff members drawn from various member states.

• Supports the daily functions of the UN.

• Responsible for servicing other UN organs and administering their programs/operations.

• Headed by the Secretary-General, appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council, for a five-year term.