Topics for today
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Events of the day/week
IGOs and theories of IR
UN and EU
Study Questions, Nau p. 392
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Do you know the answers?
Why is the United Nations relatively less
successful than the European Union?
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
States – and what else?
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International Governmental Organizations
(IGOs)
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United Nations, European Union, UNESCO, NATO,
FAO, WHO, WMO….
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
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Economic power: Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
Moral power: Transnational Advocacy Networks
Illicit power: Drug Cartels and Terrorists
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
I G O s
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a n d
IGO: created and
joined by
governments,
which give them
authority to make
collective
decisions to
manage particular
global problems.
2/13/2008
N G O s
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NGO: not created by
states or other
intergovernmental
organizations
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Examples: Oxfam,
International Red
Cross, Amnesty
International,
Greenpeace, etc.
Hans Peter Schmitz
IGOs in international relations
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Neorealism:
Instruments of great powers
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Neoliberal institutionalism:
Arenas facilitating cooperation
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Idealism/Constructivism:
Actors shaping state interests and behavior
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Liberalism: IGO as arenas
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IGOs primarily lower transaction and
information costs for states:
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Provide a forum for discussion
Supply information about problems/other actors
Help with monitoring/enforcement
Provide third-party mediation
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Idealism: IGO as actors
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Shape the social environment of states:
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Frame and constitute the state system
Favor cooperative solutions to global problems
(forum effects)
Teach states about their interests
De-legitimize certain interests and behavior (use of
violence, nuclear and biological weapons, etc.).
Empower non-state activism and (universal) norms
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Classifying IGOs
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Who is admitted as a member?
What are the responsibilities of an IGO?
What are the decision-making procedures?
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Majority voting, weighted voting, unanimity voting
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What are the competencies of administrative bodies
(secretariat)?
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What mechanisms for dispute resolution exist?
>>>> Comparing UN and EU
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Mandate
UN
Classifying IGOs
General
EU
G-77
Membership
Universal
UNESCO, ILO, WTO,
UNICEF, FAO,
UNHCR,
WHO
2/13/2008
OAS
NATO
OPEC
Hans Peter Schmitz
Specialized
Limited
Comparing the UN and the EU
The United Nations
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Headquarters: New York (Geneva, Vienna), Budget: $1.8
billion (2005; 4.5b for peacekeeping); ten states pay for 75%
of the budget
Multi-purpose and global organization devoted to
international peace and security/promotion of universal aims
Main bodies: Security Council and General Assembly
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The European Union
Headquarters: Brussels (Strasbourg, Luxembourg), Budget:
$121 billion (2005)
Mainly economic organization with regional membership
Main bodies: European Commission, Parliament, Council,
Court of Justice, European Central Bank.
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
UN Budget for 2005 (in Million-$):
top contributors
United States*: 440 (24%)
Japan:
346 (19%)
Germany:
154 (8%)
UK*:
109 (6%)
France*:
107 (6%)
Italy:
87 (5%)
Canada:
50 (3%)
Spain:
45 (2%)
China*:
37 (2%)
2/13/2008
Mexico:
34 (2%)
South Korea: 32 (1.9%)
Netherlands: 30 (1.7%)
Russia*: 29 (1.3%)
Australia: 28 (1.2%)
Brazil:
27 (1.2%)
Switzerland: 21 (1%)
Hans Peter Schmitz
General Assembly and Security Council
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Security Council: 15 members; ten nonpermanent, five permanent with veto
power (China, US, Russia, France, and
Great Britain).
General Assembly: One state-one vote.
Africa and Asia combine now for 56 per
cent of the GA votes, rather than 24 per
cent in 1945.
See chart.
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Comparing Institutions I
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European Commission: independent from
member states, exclusive authority to initiate
legislation, “guardian of the treaties,” about 25,000
civil servants for 25 member states
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UN Secretariat: responsible for day-today
operations; services the principal organs of the
UN; about 8,900 civil servants for 192 member
states
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Comparing Institutions II
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European Parliament: directly elected
representatives from all member states;
approves the budget (with the Council)
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UN General Assembly: one state – one
vote; makes primarily non-binding decisions
(resolutions; except: budget)
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Comparing Institutions III
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European Court of Justice: power to interpret
and enforce EU treaties; hears cases from
individuals and corporations; effective in
enforcing community law
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International Court of Justice: relies on prior
acceptance by state parties; hears cases from
states only; ineffective in enforcing international
law
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Regional IGOs
Americas:
Organization of American States (OAS)
MERCOSUR
Africa:
African Union (AU, since 2002); previously: Organization of
African Unity (OAU)
Asia:
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Middle East:
League of Arab States
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Why is European integration a
success?
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Why is European integration progressing while the
UN struggles to fulfill its mandate?
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Shock of World War II and the Holocaust.
United States support during in Cold War.
Economic integration as focal point. Economic
growth of the 1950s/60s legitimized integration.
Cultural differences are less pronounced.
Europe: A model for the rest of the world?
Answer: Not likely. The United States and Germany played
a unique role in the unification of Europe.
2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz
Summary: Understanding IGO success
and limits
Lessons Learned
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Unique conditions in Europe after World War II.
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Start with a small number of countries and focus only
on economic integration.
Avoid a mismatch of mandate and capabilities.
Expand mandate and membership slowly.
Pre-screen new members and create separate steps of
integration; members must be democracies.
Deepen integration on the basis of consensus, even if it
takes longer.
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2/13/2008
Hans Peter Schmitz