What is 'Global Governance'?

It is the complex process of political cooperation among transnational actors aimed at negotiating responses to problems that affect more than one state or region.

What is the primary difference between an IGO and an NGO?

IGOs are formed by sovereign states through treaties and have legal standing in international law, whereas NGOs are private organisations formed by individuals or groups to advocate for specific causes.

How does the WTO's power differ from that of the UN General Assembly?

The WTO has a dispute settlement mechanism that can issue binding rulings and authorize trade sanctions, while the UN General Assembly's resolutions are generally non-binding recommendations.

What is the distinction between 'Intergovernmentalism' and 'Supranationalism'?

Intergovernmentalism involves cooperation where states retain their full sovereignty and veto power, while Supranationalism involves states delegating decision-making power to an authority that can override national laws.

Why is it a misconception to view the UN as a 'World Government'?

The UN lacks the essential features of a government, such as the power to tax individuals directly or a standing army that can act independently of member state contributions and consent.

What is the error in assuming that global organisations have completely eroded state sovereignty?

States voluntarily join these organisations and can choose to withdraw; furthermore, IGOs rely on states to enforce their policies, meaning the state remains the primary actor in the international system.

Why is it incorrect to say that the IMF and World Bank have identical roles?

The IMF focuses on short-term macroeconomic stability and currency crises, while the World Bank focuses on long-term economic development and poverty reduction through infrastructure and social projects.

Define the 'Bretton Woods Institutions'.

These are the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, established at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference to manage the post-WWII global economy and prevent financial instability.

What are 'Structural Adjustment Programmes' (SAPs)?

SAPs are sets of economic policy reforms, such as privatization and austerity, that the IMF or World Bank require developing countries to implement as a condition for receiving loans.

Why did the number of IGOs increase so rapidly after 1945?

The devastation of WWII led to a consensus that international cooperation was necessary to maintain peace, rebuild economies, and manage the increasing complexities of a globalizing world.

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Increasing Importance of Global Organisations

Summary

The post-WWII era has seen a significant shift in global governance, where Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs) have moved from peripheral roles to central pillars of the international system. These organisations, including the UN and the Bretton Woods institutions, manage the complex interdependencies of modern trade, finance, and security, effectively creating a framework of global rules that states must navigate to participate in the global economy.

1. Definition & Core Concepts

Intergovernmental Organisations (IGOs): These are entities established by formal treaties between two or more sovereign states to work on issues of common interest.
Global Governance: This refers to the collective efforts by states, IGOs, and other non-state actors to identify, understand, and address problems that go beyond the capacity of individual states to solve.
The Bretton Woods System: A specific set of global financial institutions (IMF and World Bank) established in 1944 to manage the international monetary system and rebuild post-war economies.
Supranationalism: A process where member states cede some of their national sovereignty to a central authority that can make decisions binding on all members.

Diagram showing the relationship between global challenges, sovereign states, and global organisations.

2. Underlying Principles of Growth

Economic Interdependence: As national economies become more integrated through trade and finance, the need for a stable, rules-based system increases to prevent market volatility.
Collective Action Problems: Issues like climate change or global pandemics cannot be solved by one nation alone, necessitating organisations that can coordinate multi-state responses.
Standardisation and Efficiency: Global organisations reduce transaction costs by creating uniform rules for trade, aviation, and telecommunications, making international business more predictable.
Legitimacy and Peace: The UN provides a platform for diplomatic dialogue, aiming to prevent conflict by institutionalising international law and human rights standards.

3. Methods of Influence

4. Key Distinctions

5. Exam Strategy & Tips