International Relations Chapter 4 PDF
Document Details
Uploaded by ImmaculateWilliamsite
Tags
Summary
This document appears to be a chapter from a textbook on international relations. It introduces the concept of international relations and explores different international organizations such as the United Nations and OPEC. The chapter also looks at international law and the role it plays in keeping peace and promoting international cooperation.
Full Transcript
Chapter Four: International Relations e pl m Sa se lip About the Chapter Ec The interaction of nations, institutions, cultures and ethnicities is rel...
Chapter Four: International Relations e pl m Sa se lip About the Chapter Ec The interaction of nations, institutions, cultures and ethnicities is relevant to everyone. You are affected by many international issues. Understanding international relations can help you affect the decisions made by governments, organizations and other institutions. This chapter focuses on some economic, geographic, historical, and political issues and questions facing countries in our world. Chapter 4 e International Relations pl m Lesson 1: Introduction to International Relations Sa Lesson 2: The European Union United in Diversity Lesson 3: The European Union Single Market se Lesson 4: The League of Nations lip Lesson 5: The United Nations Lesson 6: The United Nations Security Council Ec Lesson 7: The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Lesson 1 Chapter 4: International Organizations Introduction to International Relations A - International Relations International relations is the study of how different countries and e organizations interact with each other on a global scale. It looks at pl how politics, economics, history, and laws all come together to shape what happens in the world. It explores things like how countries talk to each other, how conflicts are resolved, how to keep the world m safe, how to help countries grow economically, and how the world is becoming more connected. Sa B - International Organizations se International Organizations are created by countries to collaborate and address global issues. They work together to solve problems that affect the whole world. These organizations play a crucial role in lip promoting peace, ensuring safety, fostering economic growth, and safeguarding human rights. The United Nations (UN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Health Organization (WHO), and World Trade Organization (WTO) are some examples Ec of international organizations. They facilitate negotiations between countries, establish regulations and standards, offer assistance during emergencies, and ensure equitable laws for all. By working together, international organizations try to make countries cooperate, solve problems, and deal with big challenges that affect everyone. 95 Lesson 1 Chapter 4: International Organizations C - International Law International law is a set of rules and standards that address various aspects such as human rights, trade, and environmental protection. It facilitates cooperation among nations through agreements and following certain principles. The International Court of Justice e plays a crucial role in resolving disputes between countries. Even though there are challenges, like countries wanting to be in charge pl and making sure the rules are followed, international law is really important for keeping peace and helping countries work together. m Sa se lip Ec 96 Lesson 1 Chapter 4: International Organizations C - Significance of International Relations nternational relations are extremely important. They play a crucial role in maintaining peace and security between nations. Through effective diplomacy and cooperation, conflicts can be avoided and peace can be encouraged. International relations also help address global challenges that e cannot be solved by a single country alone. Issues such as climate pl change, poverty, and terrorism require international cooperation to find effective solutions. Moreover, global trade and investments play a vital role in fostering m economic development and well-being. Having good international relations enables nations to effectively navigate the worldwide economy and make well-informed choices. Sa Another significant aspect of international relations is cultural exchange. It promotes understanding and cooperation among nations by fostering tolerance and appreciation for different cultures. Lastly, international relations provide a platform to address human se rights violations and promote respect for universal human rights principles It enables nations to collaborate and strive towards safeguarding the rights of every individual. lip Ec 97 Lesson 2 Chapter 4: International Organizations The European Union United in Diversity A- The Dreadful Wars In the last century, many European nations, who shared the same continent for thousands of years, fought each other in two world e wars. World War I, or the First World War, began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. World War II, or the Second pl World War, was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945. These wars were usually about power, property, or religion. The m two World Wars centered in Europe then spread and involved countries and nations all around the world. Sa se lip Ec Figure 4.1: First World War Tank Because Europe had plenty of coal and iron, European countries had easily been able to make weapons and go to war. They used iron for producing steel to make tanks, guns, and bombs. Coal was used to provide the energy for factories and railways. 98 Lesson 2 Chapter 4: International Organizations The wars mainly had a damaging effect on the economies of European countries. People had to cope with the enormous death toll of the war. The application of weapons, the destruction of structures and oil fields, fires, military transport movements, had a destroying impact on the environment. Air, water and soil were also polluted. Germany was divided into four zones of occupation by the victorious e powers. England was devastated by the war, having experienced extensive bombing by the Germans. The Russian people had pl suffered immeasurably during the war. England and France no longer held a status of power comparable either to the United States or the Soviet Union. m Fighting and physical boundary divided Europe into two separate Sa areas from the end of World War II. For many years, the eastern and western parts of Europe had been kept apart. The division between east and west was so strong that it was described as an ‘iron curtain’. The Berlin Wall, the border between East and West Berlin, split Germany in two. se lip Ec Figure 4.2: Berlin Wall 99 Lesson 2 Chapter 4: International Organizations Find Out: When was the Berlin Wall knocked down and Germany reunited? Critical Thinking: 1- Why should people sit down together and discuss things instead of fighting? e 2- How could the leaders of the world countries stop such dreadful pl wars from ever happening again? B- United in Diversity m Two Frenchmen, Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman came up with a brilliant idea. Their idea was that the two previous enemies, Sa France and Germany, should no longer use their own coal and steel industries to make weapons to fight each other. se lip Ec Figure 4.3: Jean Monnet (left) and Robert Schuman 100 Lesson 2 Chapter 4: International Organizations In 1950, Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, proposed setting up a club called the “European Coal and Steel Community” as a way to prevent further war between France and Germany. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg were the first countries to join this club, which was formed in 1952. e In 1957, these six countries decided to start another club - the “European Economic Community” (EEC) for the following reasons: pl 1- The Second World War had made it very difficult for Europe to produce food or to import it from other continents. Europe was m short of food even in the early 1950s. So the EEC decided on an arrangement for paying its farmers to produce more food, and Sa to make sure that they could use their lands effectively to earn a good standard of living. Critical Thinking: se 1- Why are farmers important to any community? 2- Suggest some ways that a government can encourage lip farmers to produce more food. 2- Border checks between the six countries, delays, and customs Ec duties made it difficult for the six countries to trade together. So the EEC decided on an arrangement for reducing tariff barriers and promoting trade among the six countries. 101 Lesson 2 Chapter 4: International Organizations Critical Thinking: What is the point of having a common market where countries trade with one another just as if they were all one single country? The European Economic Community ,which went on to become e the “European Union”, aimed at making laws and policies together to improve trade and support farmers. In 1992, EEC decided to pl change its name to the ‘European Union’ (EU). After years of discussions, the United Kingdom, Denmark and m Ireland decided to join the community in 1973. In 1981 Greece became a member followed by Spain and Portugal in 1986. Austria, Sa Finland and Sweden joined in 1995 and, in 2004, ten countries joined at the same time - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta. In 2007 Bulgaria and Romania were welcomed into the European Union, which now has 27 member states, and still more are se interested in joining. lip Ec Figure 4.4 Countries of the EU (2020) Source: Official website of the European Union (2024) 102 Lesson 3 Chapter 4: International Organizations The European Union Single Market The single market is one of the European Union’s greatest achievements. Restrictions between member countries on trade and free competition have gradually been eliminated, with the result that standards of living have increased. e A- The History of the European Union Single pl Market A single market can describe any area where people are free to m trade goods, invest their money and move to look for work without facing legal, technical or physical barriers. Sa In 1992 the 15 members of the European Economic Community finished building the single market. The single market (sometimes called the internal market) described the EEC project to create free trade, no restriction on the import or export of goods, within se the 15 countries and to mould them into a single economy. The single market, one big market place for all member states, is based on four freedoms: lip 1- The Freedom of people movement: This freedom allows people to travel, live, study, or work abroad. A person living in Ec one member country is free to go, live, and find work in any other member country. Critical Thinking: What is the importance of this freedom to a nation? 2- The Freedom of goods movement: This freedom allows the people of the EEC to buy and sell products from/to each other. Critical Thinking: What is the importance of this freedom to the Arab World? 103 Lesson 3 Chapter 4: International Organizations 3- The Freedom of services movement: This freedom allows the people of the EEC to share the skills and expertise they need from each other. Critical Thinking: What is the importance of this freedom to the Arab World? e 4- The Freedom of capital movement: This freedom allows the people of the EEC to transfer or invest their money to/in other pl member states. Critical Thinking: What is the importance of this freedom to the m Arab World? Sa To make it simple to move home from one country to another, EEC countries worked together to build better roads and railways right across Europe. Richer countries helped poorer ones with their road building. se Today the single market is supported by a number of policies and regulations put in place by the EU over the years. It has not yet become a total single economic area. Some sectors of the economy lip like public services are still subject to individual EU countries national laws. The individual EU countries still largely have the responsibility for taxation and social welfare of their people. Ec B- The Significance of the European Union Single Market 1- The single market makes it easier to do business in the EU and contributes to faster economic growth. According to the EU, the series of reforms started in 1993 generated 2.75 million extra jobs and growth of 1.85 percent between 1992 and 2009. 2- Economic ties are good for European stability because they make conflicts like World War II unthinkable today. 104 Lesson 3 Chapter 4: International Organizations 3- By standardizing national regulations, the EU’s consumer policy permits its citizens, nearly 500 million consumers, to shop in confidence in any member country. All consumers benefit from the same high level of protection. C- The Euro In years gone by, each country in Europe e had its own kind of money, or ‘currency’. Now there is one single currency, the euro pl (sign: €; code: EUR) which all EU countries can share if they wish. Having one currency m makes it easier to do business and to travel and shop all over the EU without having to change from one currency to another. The Sa notes and coins came into use in 2002. Today, the euro is the official currency of Figure 4.5: 1 euro coin (€1) 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. More than two thirds of the EU’s citizens are using the euro instead of the old currencies. se A Case for Discussion: lip How would the Arab World be, if the Arabs in the Arab countries were free to live, work or study in whichever Arab country they choose, and move home from one country to another, no longer need a passport, and use one unit of currency? Ec Alexander the Great started the first European integration. As a result, the Mediterranean world became one integrated area, and Greek language became the universal language adopted by traders. 105 Facts about World War I - World War I was a military conflict lasting from 1914 to 1918 - World War I involved e two opposing alliances - the Allies and the Central pl Powers -The countries of the m Allies included Russia, France, British Empire, Sa Italy, United States, Japan, Rumania, Serbia, Belgium, Greece, Portugal and Montenegro se -The countries of the Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, lip Turkey and Bulgaria World War I - World War I was triggered in June 1914 by the assassination of Ec the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie - World War I included the first known use of chemical weapons (mustard Gas) - The United States of America joined the Allies on April 6, 1917 after German submarines began sinking its unarmed ships (notably the Lusitania) - World War I was characterized by trench warfare. Each army dug protective trenches-long, deep rows of ditches dug in the ground-in which they slept, ate and fought against the enemy. - The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, was one of five peace treaties signed after the Central Powers surrendered to the Allies. Germany was forced to acknowledge guilt for the war, pay the e other countries for the damage they caused, and reduce the size of its armed forces. It was also forced to return territory it claimed pl during the war to France, Poland, Belgium, and Denmark. After unsuccessful protests, Germany reluctantly signed the treaty. m Women Who Kept Glasgow Moving Sa During World War I, Glasgow faced a shortage of men to operate the city’s vast tram fleet. The Glasgow Tramways decided to take on women as drivers and conductresses. Females had never been allowed to work as a motor drivers and conductresses before. Great opposition came from the press and the public. se The opposition was strong, but the experiment proved a success. Women kept the city moving. lip Ec A group of female Glasgow Tramways employees ready for service. Lesson Chapter 4: International Organizations Facts about World War II - World War II was a military conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 and involved nearly all the nations of the world. e - German people suffered pl due to the harsh economic penalties and voted for Hitler to take over the m government. Adolf Hitler had vowed to tear up the Sa Treaty of Versailles - In 1939 Germany invaded Poland and Britain and France se declared war on Germany World War II - Germany made treaties with Italy and Japan. The three became lip the Axis powers. Leaders of the Axis powers were Adolf Hitler, Emperor Hirohito and Benito Mussolini. -The countries that made up the Allied powers included Russia, Ec France, British Empire, United States, Rumania, Serbia, Belgium, Greece, Portugal and Montenegro. Major Leaders of the Allies were Joseph Stalin, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill - In 1945 the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. - Germany and Japan surrendered in 1945 and World War II ended. 108 Lesson 3 Chapter 4: International Organizations Rosie the Riveter, 1942 Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of the United States, representing the six million women who worked in the manufacturing plants e that produced munitions pl and materiel during World War II. These women took the places of the male m workers who were absent fighting in the Pacific and European theaters. The Sa project was funded by the government as a way to motivate workers and perhaps recruit new ones for the war effort. se lip Ec Women working in an airplane factory during World War II 109 Lesson 4 Chapter 4: International Organizations The League of Nations A- Introduction The League of the Nations was an organization of countries formed after World War I to promote international peace and e security. The League was founded in 1919, and in January 1920 the first Council meeting took place in Geneva. pl Fast Fact m United States President Woodrow Wilson Sa enthusiastically promoted the idea of the League as a means of avoiding any repetition of the se bloodshed of the First World War. Woodrow Wilson lip B- The Aims of the League The League had the following aims: Ec - To promote international co-operation, peace and security by accepting an obligation not to go to war - To promote open, just and honorable relations between nations - To lay out a system of international law - To maintain, or help to modify, treaties between nations 110 Lesson 4 Chapter 4: International Organizations C- Differing Views on How the League Should Operate America Britain France e pl A world parliament A simple organization A strong League m where representatives that would meet during capable of enforcing would meet regularly emergencies. decisions with its own to decide on matter army. Sa which affected all of them. Critical Thinking: se Which point of view do you agree with? Why? D- Strengths of the League of Nations lip The successes that the League had during the 1920s were as follows: Ec 1- The League achieved social reforms, such as assisting refugees, improving health and labor conditions, and curbing international drug. Read the following examples. The League helped over 400,000 prisoners of war to return home The slavery Commission brought about the freeing of over 200, 000 slaves in British-owned Sierra-Leone 111 Lesson 4 Chapter 4: International Organizations The Health Committee worked hard to defeat leprosy and malaria. It later became the World Health Organization 2- The League provided lessons and organizational base for the United Nations. 3- The League settled minor territorial disputes, such as those e between Finland and Sweden in 1921 and between Greece and Bulgaria in 1925. Read the following case. pl During the 1920s the League had some successes in collective security. During 1925 skirmishes on the Greek/Bulgarian border m were followed by a Greek invasion. Bulgaria appealed to the League, which called for an immediate end to the Greek’s invasion, Sa refusing to negotiate on behalf of Bulgaria until all troops had been withdrawn. The League threatened Greece with sanctions under Article 16 of the covenant and Greece agreed to withdraw and pay an indemnity. In this dispute, however, the Council members were in agreement and had no national interest. se E- The end of the League lip As World War II started, it became clear that the League had failed in its chief aim of keeping the peace. The League had two basic weaknesses as follows: Ec Firstly, The League had no military power of its own. It depended on its members’ contributions; and its members were not willing to use economic or military sanctions. Secondly, Several Big Powers failed to support the League as follows: 1- The United States, the country, whose president, Woodrow Wilson, had dreamt up the idea of the League, refused to join 112 Lesson 4 Chapter 4: International Organizations it. America’s refusal to join the League, fitted in with its desire to have an isolationist policy throughout the world. However, the idea of joining the League was not popular with all Americans as follows. a- Many Americans did not think the Treaty of Versailles was fair. As the League was linked with the treaty, they did not want to be e a part of it pl b- Many Americans wanted to stay out of disputes that might enter their troops into the kind of carnage of the World War I m c- Many Americans wanted to avoid the economic cost of joining the League Sa d- Many Americans were anti-French or Anti-British. They thought the League would be run by these countries and did not want to get involved with their affairs se 2- Germany was not allowed to join the League in 1919. As Germany had started the war, it was not considered to be a member of the international community. lip 3- Russia was also not allowed to join the League, mainly due to their Communist government. Ec Therefore, three of the world’s most powerful nations played no part in supporting the League. The two most powerful members were Britain and France, who had suffered financially and militarily during the war. Both countries were not enthusiastic to get involved in disputes that did not affect Western Europe. 113 Read the following case: In 1935, Italy led by Mussolini invaded Ethiopia. The Italian army used tanks, airplanes, machine guns, and poison gas. The Ethiopians had only e a few outdated guns, spears and bows and arrows. The pl Italians killed many Ethiopians. The world was horrified. m The League of Nations imposed economic sanctions on Italy. Some members of the League of Nations did not participate in Sa the sanctions. Italy kept conquering and murdering. Until, in 1940, Britain counterattacked with an army. By the end of 1941, the Italian army was defeated in Ethiopia. Italy did not stop its horrible se actions by treaties or sanctions or the best of intentions, but by direct military force. Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) lip Mussolini was the founder of Fascism and leader of Italy from 1922 to 1943. Ec He allied Italy with Nazi Germany and Japan in World War II. In 1935, Mussolini invaded Ethiopia and incorporated it into his new Italian Empire. As the Allies advanced northwards through Italy, Mussolini fled towards Switzerland. He was captured by Italian partisans and shot on 28 April 1945. Mussolini Lesson 5 Chapter 4: International Organizations The United Nations A- Introduction The United Nations was created at the end of World War II, replacing e the League of Nations.United States President Franklin D Roosevelt was pl a driving force behind the creation of the United Nations. The name “United Nations” was used by Roosevelt to m describe the alliance fighting the Axis powers in World War II. Sa US President Franklin D Roosevelt In 1945, representatives of 51 countries met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organization to draw up the United Nations Charter. The Organization officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the Charter had been se ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and a majority of other signatories. United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October. lip There are currently 193 Members of the United Nations. Each member has a single vote. They meet in the General Assembly, which is the closest thing to a world parliament. Ec The United Nations Headquarters is in New York City but the land and buildings are international territory. The United Nations has its own flag, its own post office and its own postage stamps. Six official languages are used at the United Nations - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Figure 4.6: United Nations Building 115 Lesson 5 Chapter 4: International Organizations B- The Charter of the United Nations The Charter is the constituting instrument of the United Nations, setting out the rights and obligations of Member States, and establishing the Organization’s organs and procedures. The purposes of the United Nations, as set forth in the Charter, e are to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in solving international pl economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; m and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these ends. Sa se lip Ec Figure 4.7: 1945, San Francisco Conference: Brazil Signs United Nations Charter. 116 Lesson 5 Chapter 4: International Organizations C- The Principles of the United Nations - All Member States have sovereign equality - All Member States must obey the Charter - Countries must try to settle their differences by peaceful means e - Countries must avoid using force or threatening to use force pl - The UN may not interfere in the domestic affairs of any country m - Countries should try to assist the United Nations Sa D- Major Organs of the United Nations The charter of the UN, signed in San Francisco on 26 June 1945, defined six main organs of the new world body, each with specific tasks and functions. se 1- The General Assembly lip This organ is the UN’s central deliberative body. It has representatives of all member states and empowered to discuss and make recommendations on any subject falling within the Ec scope of the charter itself. 2- The Security Council This organ is a fifteen-member body. Its members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. Security Council has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. 117 Lesson 5 Chapter 4: International Organizations 3- The Economic and Social Council The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is assigned the task of organizing the UN’s work on economic and social matters and the promotion of human rights. It is made up of fifty four members elected for overlapping three-year terms by the General Assembly. e 4- The Trusteeship Council pl The Trusteeship Council is made up of the five permanent members of the Security Council - China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and United States. The aims of the Trusteeship m System have been fulfilled to such an extent that all Trust Territories have attained self-government or independence, either as separate Sa States or by joining neighboring independent countries. 5- The International Court of Justice The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the se UN. It consists of fifteen judges elected to nine-year terms by the General Assembly and the Security Council voting independently. It may not include more than one judge of any nationality. The lip Members of the Court do not represent their governments but are independent judges. Ec 6- The Secretariat The Secretariat is the administrative arm of the organization. It is headed by a Secretary-General appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year, renewable term. 118 Lesson 6 Chapter 4: International Organizations The United Nations Security Council The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful body of the United Nations. The UN Charter gives the Security Council “primary responsibility for international peace and security” e pl m Sa se Figure 4.8: UN Security Council lip A- The composition of the Security Council The United Nations Security Council is composed of representatives Ec from fifteen countries.Five of the Security Council members are permanent members. These permanent members are United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia and China. Each of the five permanent members of the Security Council has veto power over any matter voted upon by the Security Council. This means that all five permanent members of the Security Council must agree to endorse any measure for it to pass. The ten other countries are to be elected, based on various regions of the world, for two year terms. 119 Lesson 6 Chapter 4: International Organizations B- The Four Policemen World peace was to be maintained by what Roosevelt described as the “four policemen”. These policemen were the US, UK, USSR and China. These four policemen, along with France, became the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. e The United Nations system was based on the belief that the great powers who won the Second World War would continue their war pl time alliance, and continue to work together to maintain world peace. m Many politicians think that the composition of the Security Council does not reflect present day realities. Read the following arguments. Sa - Britain and France are members of the Security Council only because they were victors in World War II. Should they still be there? se - Similarly, Japan, the world’s second largest economy is not a Security Council member. Should Japan be there? lip - Brazil, Germany, Japan and India all seek inclusion as permanent members of the Security Council and recommend enlargement of the Security Council to twenty-five members. Efforts to expand Ec Security Council membership have failed because countries cannot decide on how it should be done. Who should be there? 120 Lesson 6 Chapter 4: International Organizations C- What does the Security Council do to maintain peace? If the Security Council decides there is a threat to international peace, it normally begins by calling for negotiations to resolve the problem. The UN Secretary General or his representative talks to the countries involved and urges them to settle the problem. If e the problem is not settled, Security Council can impose diplomatic pl and economic sanctions. If there is still no progress the Security Council can authorize military action. m In more than 50 years, the UN Security Council has authorized military action in the following cases: Sa - Korea - Somalia se - Bosnia - Gulf War lip As the typical UN operations are peacekeeping not war fighting, the UN itself did not go to these wars. Different countries undertook military action with the permission of the UN. Ec 121 Lesson 6 Chapter 4: International Organizations C- The UN Peacekeeping Operations The UN peacekeeping operations usually come into effect once a war is over. They monitor cease fires, and help to maintain a buffer between the warring parties. The peacekeepers are there at the request of the warring parties. Their main role is to calm things and build confidence among the warring parties. e Soldiers from different countries are assigned to the UN, and are pl responsible to the United Nations, not their own countries. The UN has no military force of its own, and is dependent on its member m countries to provide military forces. The UN Charter requires countries to maintain a certain part of Sa their forces for the use of the UN. The first UN peacekeeping mission was established in 1948 in the Middle East. At present, there are more than 95,000 UN troops se coming from 110 countries serving all over the world. They come from different nations to the job of fostering peace. lip Ec Figure 4.9: UN Peacekeepers giving food to children in Haiti 122 Lesson 6 Chapter 4: International Organizations These troops can be called upon to: Monitor a disputed border Monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas Provide security across a conflict zone e Protect civilians pl Assist in-country military personnel with training and support m Assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they may have signed Sa se lip Ec 123 Lesson 7 Chapter 4: International Organizations The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) A- Class Discussion Questions 1- What is oil used for? e 2- What will happen when the oil runs out? pl 3- What do you know about OPEC? m B- About the Organization Sa The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental organization, created at the Baghdad Conference on September 10–14, 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. se OPEC’s objective is to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return on capital to lip those investing in the industry. C- OPEC Member Countries Ec The Founder Members of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) are the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. These countries were later joined by Qatar (1961), Indonesia (1962), Libya (1962), the United Arab Emirates (1967), Algeria (1969), Nigeria (1971), Ecuador (1973), Gabon (1975) and Angola (2007). From December 1992 until October 2007, Ecuador suspended its membership. Gabon terminated its membership in 1995. Indonesia suspended its membership in January 2009. 124 Lesson 7 Chapter 4: International Organizations Test your Geography Information: Currently OPEC has a total of twelve member countries. OPEC has twelve member countries: six in the Middle East. What are the names of these countries? e OPEC has four member countries in Africa. What are the names of these countries? pl OPEC has two member countries in South America. What are the names of these countries? C-OPEC Mission m Sa According to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, the mission of the Organization is to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its Member Countries and ensure the stabilization of oil markets in order to secure an efficient, economic and regular supply se of petroleum to consumers, a steady income to producers and a fair return on capital for those investing in the petroleum industry. lip Critical Thinking: Why does every country on the planet require order and consistency in its crude oil supply, with stable, reasonable prices? Ec D- OPEC Share of Crude Oil According to its mission, OPEC remains committed to its goal of providing steady supplies of crude oil to the market at all times. Study figure 4.10. Then answer the following questions. 125 Lesson 7 Chapter 4: International Organizations 1,193 e pl m Sa Figure 4.10: OPEC Share of Crude Oil Reserves 2010 1- According to figure 4.10, what is the percentage of the world’s proven oil reserves located in OPEC Member Countries? se 2- According to figure 4.10, which country has the largest share in the OPEC oil reserves? lip 3- According to figure 4.10, what is the percentage of OPEC oil reserves in Saudi Arabia, amounting to the OPEC total? Ec 4- According to figure 4.10, what is the unit of measurement used by OPEC for crude oil reserves? According to OPEC, many challenges face the organization concerning the balance between the demand and the supply of its crude oil. Some of these challenges are as follows: 1- The extent and nature of the global economic recovery 2- Market stability 126 Lesson 7 Chapter 4: International Organizations 3- Major energy and environment policy developments 4- Global issues such as poverty, costs, and human resources Discussion Questions: You and your Environment Discuss the following questions with your partner. e 1- What environmental impact does oil production have? pl 2- Do you think oil companies do enough to protect the environment, especially after oil spills in the ocean? m 3- What is the role of business in preventing and controlling Sa environmental pollution? se lip Ec Figure 4.11: Oil Spill in the Atlantic Ocean 127 TERMS AND VOCABULARY Crude oil: Mixture of naturally occurring hydrocarbons that is refined into diesel, gasoline, heating oil, jet fuel, and kerosene. Economic recovery: A period of increasing business activity following a recession. Fascism: A governmental system led by a dictator having complete e power and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism. pl Human resources: The people that staff and operate an organization. Vito: A veto, Latin for “I forbid”, is the power (for example a power m of an officer of the state) to unilaterally stop an official action. Sa se lip Ec