INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

International Organizations

International Organizations

Introduction

International organizations play a role in international relations, and their influence varies according to the issue and situation confronted. A clear unambiguous and theoretically acceptable definition of an International organization is one, which through various processes approximates Government regulation of relations among nation states and non-state actors. Initially through Rounds and later through the art of conferencing these organizations attempt to provide solutions to global problems facing the world while recognizing, at least in theory, the constraints imposed by state sovereignty (Aluja, 2005).

Discussion

In essence, international organizations have been instituted to regulate international relations chiefly through peaceful settlements of disputes among nation states (Aluja, 2005).

Development of the United Nation

In 1945, the United Nations was founded with the hopes of averting another world war by "Promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. In addition to this their expressed purpose is to minimize international conflict by providing nations with a place and the time need to reflect and "cool off' and so settle disputes in a manner amenable to the majority. Under it, umbrella of its functions can be found attempts to promote cooperative developmental activities among nation states for the social and economic benefit of not only certain regions of the world but for all human kind. This is evident in cases where developed countries provide aid to developing countries through the different organs of the United Nations. In times when it is needed, and no other redress has proven feasible it is able to provide a defense to the nation states under its care (Charlotte 2003) (Amato, 2002).

If the UN is ever fully achieve the goals which put forth in 1945, they must struggle to reach the same level of influence as the most prominent G8 nations, and use it to accomplish their target of world peace. When questioned about its inability to achieve the aims and principles of its peacekeeping platform, the UN often brings up its lack of cash flow, caused by separate countries' delinquent dues. Surprisingly, this debt is not only held by less wealthy countries, but also by nations who rank amongst the worlds most wealthy (Frederking 2007) (Amato, 2002).

As of December 1999, the US alone owed 1.7 billion dollars in delinquent dues to the UN. They have since paid this debt off, but of course now the US desires the support of the UN in the campaign against Saddam Hussein. The United States continues to play a prominent role within the organization, most notably with its permanent seat on Security Council and the substantial veto powers that come with it. In early 1997, the US used its veto power to prevent secretary general Boutros Boutros-Gali from retaining power for a second term. David Malone and Simon Chesterman noted about the US's current attitude toward the UN "The Bush administration regards them, (UN) tactically as either supporting or constraining U.S. policy". It is this attitude, which causes leaders of many other countries to believe that the ...