International lawLesson 3 of 3 in the course International Law and International Organizations

Global IGOs and the United Nations: Organs, Roles, and Limits

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Intergovernmental organizations help states address problems that cross national borders. This lesson introduces IGOs, explains why the United Nations is especially influential, and traces its origins and broad mission.

An intergovernmental organization (IGO) is an organization made up of member states, held together by a formal agreement. Governments select delegates to represent their interests at IGO meetings. IGOs create settings where states can share information, develop common rules, and coordinate action.

All flashcards

What is an IGO?
An intergovernmental organization is a formal organization made up of member states. Each government selects delegates to represent its interests.
What is a global IGO?
A global IGO is an intergovernmental organization whose membership is open to states around the world.
What was collective security?
It was the League of Nations principle that members should jointly respond to aggression by a state.
Why was the United Nations created?
After the League of Nations failed to prevent aggression and World War II broke out, Allied leaders sought a stronger organization to promote international peace and cooperation.
What are three broad goals of the UN?
The UN aims to promote peace, protect human rights, and advance sustainable development, including environmental protection.

Quiz questions

  1. What is an intergovernmental organization?Answer: A formal body of states whose governments select delegates.
  2. What did collective security mean under the League of Nations?Answer: Member states were expected to respond jointly to aggression by a state.
  3. Which combination describes weaknesses that undermined the League of Nations?Answer: It struggled to punish aggression, the United States did not join, and expansionist states withdrew.
  4. Which statement best describes the UN’s relationship to state sovereignty?Answer: The UN supports cooperation but has no general authority to govern sovereign members.
  5. What is one way an IGO can help states address a problem that no single state can solve alone?Answer: It can coordinate states in pursuing benefits that are difficult to secure individually.

Based on Introduction to Political Science by Mark Carl Rom, Masaki Hidaka, Rachel Bzostek Walker (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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