International Organisations: UN, Agencies and Other Bodies
The International Organisations domain tests knowledge of the UN system and other bodies: their composition, powers, financing and reform debates. It rewards precise distinctions rather than vague praise of global cooperation.
Core concepts
- The UN’s principal organs include the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, International Court of Justice, Secretariat and Trusteeship Council. The Trusteeship Council suspended operations in 1994.
- The Security Council has five permanent members with veto power and ten elected members. The General Assembly has one state, one vote; its resolutions are generally non-binding.
- The ICJ settles disputes between states and gives advisory opinions. The ICC is separate and tries individuals for genocide, war crimes and aggression.
- Specialised agencies include WHO, UNESCO, ILO and FAO. The IMF and World Bank are UN-related financial institutions. The WTO is not a UN agency.
- Peacekeeping requires consent, impartiality and minimum force in classic doctrine, though mandates have become more robust. Reform demands include UNSC expansion, veto restraint and better representation for Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Worked example
Question: Why can one permanent member block UNSC action? Reasoning: the Charter gives the P5 a veto so great powers would join and remain. That protects great-power interests but can produce paralysis when a P5 member is a party to a conflict. Reform proposals therefore target both membership and veto use.
Traps
Do not confuse the ICJ with the ICC. Do not say GA resolutions bind states. Do not list the WTO as a UN specialised agency. Do not claim the UN can simply override sovereignty.