The Importance Of International Organizations

In 2015, President Barack Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly and talked about the significance the United Nations has had since its creation in 1945, claiming: “This institution [U.N.] was founded because men and women who came before us had the foresight to know that our nations are more secure when we uphold basic laws and basic norms, and pursue a path of cooperation over conflict. And strong nations, above all, have a responsibility to uphold this international order.” President Obama argues that the U.N. is the glue which holds the international system together and promotes mutually beneficial outcomes for the world. The fact that an international organization (IO) such as the U.N. has endured for over 70 years is some

Although, international organizations are largely influenced by the powerful states they contain and reflect those states’ interests, international organizations provide essential forums for communication, and encourage education of new international norms, which in turn, shape the interests and behaviors of states. International organizations create space for its members to coordinate interests and actions which helps promote interdependent relationships among them and strengthens their legitimacy. As society has progressed, it has globalized, and in the past 50 years states have had to address their growing dependence, especially in the economic sector. The World Trade Organization (WTO), is an institution which has an immense impact on the international political economy and the way states function within the international system. It organizes agreements and treaties which govern how its members decide policies, tariffs, and keeps states accountable for their actions. For example, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), determines how states can regulate their import and exports. (Hurd 2014,

One of the principal organs, the General Assembly, provides a setting for all members to vote and present and express opinions on resolutions and ideas brought to their attention. The importance of this forum has only grown as the world has becoming increasingly globalized and interconnected. If communication is so immediate, is there a need for formal assemblies? The fact remains that there are far too many actors and too many coordination and collective action problems to for IOs to not have a space for states too communicate all together. It is still important for each and every state to hear information directly and with limited misinterpretation, just because communication can be instantaneous, does not mean all states will reach out to every other state in the world system. International organizations present opportunities for all voices to be heard. Furthermore, formal assemblies provide a chance for non-government organizations and government organizations to educate states on issues which they believe are