International Organizations Case Study

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INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: THE UNITED NATIONS

The study of International Organizations falls in the realm of International Relations theory. As a relatively new field, International Relations (IR) theory is difficult to define. It is often taught as a theory that seeks both to explain past state behavior and to predict future state behavior. To my understanding, International Relations attempts to explain the interactions of states in the global interstate system, and it also attempts to explain the interactions of others whose behavior originates within one country and is targeted toward members of other countries. In short, the study of International Relations is an attempt to explain behavior that occurs across the boundaries of states, …show more content…

An International Organization can be defined, following the International Law Commission, as an “organization established by a treaty or other instrument governed by international law and possessing its own international legal personality”. International organizations generally have States as members, but often other entities can also apply for membership. They both make international law and are governed by it. Yet, the decision-making process of international organizations is often “less a question of law than one of political judgment” . International Organizations may serve various purposes; they could be economically, commercially or politically oriented. However, since I am looking at the realm of International Relations, I am going to focus on politically oriented International Organizations. In the following sections, I have detailed the structure, function and the concept of legitimacy of one of the largest and most successful International Organizations, the United …show more content…

Legitimacy in International Relations theory is the “popular acceptance of an authority, usually a governing body or regime.” However, Ian Hurd defines legitimacy to me “an actor’s normative belief that a rule or institution ought to be obeyed.” And I believe this very factor to be the failure of the League of Nations and the success of the United Nations. From acting as the intermediary between the two power blocs at the time of the Cold War to fighting AIDS, the UN has proved to be a formidable

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