Chapter 4 International Organisations| Class 12 Political Science Notes

International organisations play a very important role in global governance and cooperation. They address worldwide issues like peace, health, and economic stability. The chapter on International Organisations explores these bodies, focusing on their structure, challenges, and impact on global affairs.

In this article, you will get detailed notes on Chapter 4 International Organisations from your Class 12 Political Science NCERT textbook.

Cartoons Depicting UN Ineffectiveness: Two cartoons on the page comment on the United Nations Organization’s perceived ineffectiveness during the Lebanon crisis in 2006. They reflect common opinions about the UN’s shortcomings in addressing crises.

Importance of the UN: Despite criticisms, the UN is widely regarded as the most crucial international organization today, representing humanity’s great hope for peace and progress. Two quotes from insiders underscore the significance of the UN in saving humanity from turmoil and serving as a platform for global dialogue and conflict resolution.

Role of International Organizations: International organizations play a vital role in facilitating cooperation among nations to address various global challenges, including matters of war and peace, disease control, and environmental issues like climate change. While countries may have conflicts and differences, international organizations provide a forum for peaceful resolution and collaborative action.

Challenges of Cooperation: Cooperation among nations, though recognized as necessary, faces challenges such as disagreement over methods, cost-sharing, and ensuring equitable benefits. International organizations help address these challenges by providing mechanisms, rules, and administrative support to foster confidence and adherence to agreements.

Role of the UN Post-Cold War: With the end of the Cold War, there arose concerns about unchecked power, particularly that of Western countries led by the United States. The UN’s role in promoting dialogue, limiting the power of any single nation, and fostering international cooperation, particularly with the US, is questioned and requires further examination.

Issues Requiring International Organization Intervention: Issues like disease control, climate change mitigation, and financial stability, managed by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and International Monetary Fund (IMF), respectively, exemplify challenges requiring international cooperation beyond the capacity of individual countries.

The aftermath of the First World War highlighted the need for an international organization to prevent future conflicts, leading to the establishment of the League of Nations. Despite its initial successes, the League failed to prevent the outbreak of the Second World War, which resulted in unprecedented casualties and devastation.

In response to the shortcomings of the League of Nations, the United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 following the Second World War. The UN Charter was signed by 51 states with the aim of achieving what the League could not during the interwar period. The primary objective of the UN is to prevent international conflicts and promote cooperation among states. It was envisaged as a mechanism to prevent conflicts from escalating into full-scale wars and to mitigate the impact of hostilities if they occurred. Additionally, the UN was tasked with fostering global social and economic development to address the root causes of conflicts.

Over the years, the UN has grown to encompass 193 member states, representing nearly all independent countries. Each member state has equal voting rights in the General Assembly, while the Security Council, which handles issues of war and peace, consists of five permanent members: the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China. These five nations were designated as permanent members due to their status as major powers and victors of the Second World War.

The Secretary-General serves as the UN’s chief administrative officer and spokesperson. The current Secretary-General is António Guterres, who assumed office on January 1, 2017, following a distinguished career as Prime Minister of Portugal and UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The UN comprises various structures and agencies to address a wide range of issues. While the General Assembly and Security Council focus on war and peace, social and economic matters are handled by specialized agencies such as the World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Human Rights Commission, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations Children’s Fund, and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, among others.

The need for reform and improvement is essential for any organization to effectively adapt to a changing environment, and the United Nations (UN) is no exception. In recent years, there have been calls for reform within the UN, although there is a lack of clarity and consensus regarding the nature of these reforms.

Reform within the UN primarily involves two aspects: restructuring of the organization’s mechanisms and processes, and a reassessment of the issues falling under its jurisdiction. While there is broad agreement on the necessity of both types of reform, there is disagreement on the specifics of what should be done, how it should be implemented, and when it should take place.

The focus of discussions on structural and procedural reforms often revolves around the functioning of the UN Security Council. There are demands for an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent membership in the Security Council to better reflect the contemporary geopolitical realities, particularly by increasing representation from Asia, Africa, and South America. Additionally, there are calls for improvements in budgetary procedures and administrative practices, particularly from Western countries.

Regarding the issues to be prioritized or brought within the UN’s purview, there are divergent views among member states and experts. Some advocate for a more robust role for the UN in peace and security missions, while others argue for a narrower focus on development and humanitarian work, encompassing areas such as health, education, environment, population control, human rights, gender equality, and social justice.

Examining both sets of reforms, with an emphasis on structural and procedural changes, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the UN was established in 1945 in the aftermath of World War II, reflecting the geopolitical dynamics of that era. However, the world has undergone significant transformations since then, particularly with the end of the Cold War. Major changes include the collapse of the Soviet Union, the emergence of the US as the predominant global power, the cooperative relationship between Russia and the US, the rapid growth of China and India, the economic rise of Asia, the independence of new countries, and the emergence of diverse global challenges such as genocide, civil unrest, terrorism, climate change, and epidemics.

Since the late 1980s, member states have grappled with questions about the effectiveness of the UN and its ability to address contemporary challenges adequately. Efforts have been underway to identify practical and effective reforms to enhance the UN’s functioning and ensure its relevance in addressing the complex issues of the modern world.

The call for reform within the United Nations (UN) is widely supported, but reaching agreement on the specifics of reform measures proves to be challenging. Let’s delve into the debate surrounding the reform of the UN Security Council. In 1992, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution reflecting three primary grievances:

1. The Security Council no longer reflects contemporary political realities.
2. Its decisions predominantly reflect Western values and interests, often dictated by a few powerful nations.
3. It lacks equitable representation.

Responding to these demands for restructuring the UN, on January 1, 1997, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan launched an inquiry into reforming the organization. One of the central questions raised pertained to the selection process for new Security Council members. Over the years, various criteria have been proposed for both permanent and non-permanent members of the Security Council. These criteria include being a major economic or military power, a significant contributor to the UN budget, a nation with a large population, and a country that upholds democracy and human rights. Each criterion has its advantages and drawbacks, depending on the interests and aspirations of different governments.

Furthermore, the issue of representation poses complexities. Should representation be based on geographical regions, sub-regions, or levels of economic development? Should cultural diversity be considered? There are challenges in dividing the world along cultural or civilizational lines, given the diversity within nations.

An associated issue is the potential overhaul of membership dynamics. Some advocate for abolishing the veto power held by the five permanent members, viewing it as incompatible with democratic principles and sovereign equality. However, there is resistance to such reforms, as permanent members are unlikely to relinquish their veto power, and the international community may not be ready for such drastic changes, even in the post-Cold War era.

The Security Council currently comprises five permanent members and ten non-permanent members. The veto power allows permanent members to block decisions, presenting a challenge to achieving consensus within the Council. While there have been discussions on modifying or abolishing the veto system, concerns persist about the potential consequences of such actions on the effectiveness and engagement of great powers within the UN.

The issue of membership is indeed significant, but there are also more substantial challenges facing the world. As the UN commemorated its 60th anniversary in September 2005, the heads of all member states convened to celebrate the occasion and assess the organization’s status. During this meeting, leaders agreed on several measures to enhance the relevance of the UN in the evolving global context:

1. Establishment of a Peacebuilding Commission.
2. Acknowledgment of the international community’s responsibility in instances where national governments fail to protect their citizens from atrocities.
3. Formation of a Human Rights Council, which became operational on June 19, 2006.
4. Commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
5. Condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.
6. Creation of a Democracy Fund.
7. Agreement to dissolve the Trusteeship Council.

These initiatives, however, are not without their controversies within the UN. Questions arise regarding the role and scope of the Peacebuilding Commission. With numerous conflicts worldwide, selecting which ones to intervene in poses a challenge. Similarly, determining the international community’s role in addressing atrocities and defining human rights violations can be contentious. Achieving ambitious goals like those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may be unrealistic, especially considering the significant number of developing countries. Additionally, reaching a consensus on the definition of terrorism and the appropriate use of funds to promote democracy presents further challenges for the UN. These issues highlight the complexity of navigating the diverse perspectives and interests within the international community.

ndia has consistently advocated for the restructuring of the UN, emphasizing the need for a more robust and relevant organization in today’s changing world. India supports an expanded role for the UN in fostering development and cooperation among nations, believing that development is crucial for international peace and security.

A key concern for India is the composition of the Security Council, which has remained largely unchanged despite significant expansion in the UN General Assembly membership. India argues that this static composition undermines the Council’s representativeness, particularly as the majority of UN General Assembly members are now developing countries. India contends that these nations should have a voice in Security Council decisions that affect them.

India advocates for an increase in both permanent and non-permanent Security Council membership to better reflect the evolving global landscape. It asserts that the Council’s effectiveness depends on broad international support and suggests that any restructuring plan should involve greater representation from developing countries.

Unsurprisingly, India also seeks permanent membership in a reformed UN. With its substantial population and status as the world’s largest democracy, along with its active participation in UN initiatives and peacekeeping efforts, India argues that it merits a permanent seat. Additionally, India’s economic emergence on the world stage and consistent financial contributions to the UN further support its claim.

However, some countries raise concerns about India’s potential permanent membership, citing issues such as its nuclear capabilities and strained relations with neighboring Pakistan. There are also considerations about accommodating other emerging powers like Brazil, Germany, Japan, and South Africa, as well as ensuring representation from Africa and South America in any expansion of permanent membership.

Given these complexities and concerns, achieving permanent membership in the UN Security Council may not be straightforward for India or any other aspiring nation in the near future.

The restructuring of the UN has been seen by some countries as a potential means to address the challenges posed by a unipolar world dominated by the US. However, the ability of the UN to serve as a counterbalance to US dominance is limited. The US, as the sole superpower, possesses significant military and economic strength, enabling it to sometimes disregard international organizations like the UN.

Moreover, the US wields considerable influence within the UN itself. It holds a prominent position as the largest financial contributor to the organization and has nationals occupying key roles within the UN bureaucracy. With its veto power in the Security Council, the US can effectively block any actions it opposes, further consolidating its influence.

Despite these dynamics, the UN plays a role in facilitating dialogue between the US and other nations on various global issues. US leaders recognize the utility of the UN in bringing together a diverse array of nations to address conflicts and promote social and economic development. Additionally, the UN provides a platform for nations to voice opposition to specific US policies and shape compromises.

While the UN is imperfect, it serves as a vital forum for addressing global challenges and fostering cooperation among nations. In an increasingly interconnected world, characterized by technological advancements that deepen interdependence, the importance of the UN is likely to grow. Despite its limitations, the UN remains a crucial institution for promoting international cooperation and addressing shared concerns.

What is the purpose of the United Nations?

The United Nations aims to maintain international peace, promote cooperation in solving international problems, and support human rights and fundamental freedoms.

How does the UN Security Council function?

The UN Security Council is responsible for international peace and security, with five permanent members holding veto powers and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

What are the key reforms proposed for the United Nations?

Proposed reforms for the UN include expanding the Security Council, improving administrative efficiency, and enhancing representation and transparency.

Why is India advocating for UN reforms?

India seeks a greater role in global governance, advocating for expanded Security Council representation and permanent membership to reflect its large population and democratic credentials.

How do international organizations like the IMF and World Bank operate?

These organizations provide financial and technical assistance worldwide, aiming to reduce poverty, promote economic development, and manage financial stability.

What role does the World Trade Organization (WTO) play in global economics?

The WTO deals with the global rules of trade between nations, aiming to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.

How does the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) contribute to global safety?

The IAEA promotes safe, secure, and peaceful nuclear technologies and conducts inspections to verify that nuclear materials are not used for military purposes.