History and Classifications

History
IOs have risen to prominence first in Europe in the 19th century. The context of the rise of sovereign nation states.

The peace of Westphalia in 1648.

Several key principles: Territoriality-the right of states with defined geographical boundaries including a more or less settled populations. Non-intervention-the right of the state to determine its own domestic policies. Sovereign Equality-The right of states to conduct relations with one another on an equal legal basis.

Inis Claude sets 4 preconditions before such action could be taken: 1) The existence of number of states functioning as independent political units. 2) A substantive measure of contact between these units. 3) An awareness of problems that arise from states coexistence.

4)Their recognition of the need for creating institutional devices and systemic methods regulating their relations with each other.

Outcome of two major events which left their mark on the 19th century Europe The Industrial Revolution The French Revolution

 The weaknesses of the state system became increasingly apparent after the mid-19th century with increasing international trade, immigration, democratization, technological innovations----undermined the capacity of states to govern effectively. Consolidation of the state, nationalism.

 In absolute terms they were incompatible, but in practical terms international institutions provided means by which an acceptable balance could be achieved. The purpose of international organizations was to promote freedom of movement under a set of rules which were negotiated by governments.

Early IOs
1) Concert of Europe System: Congress of Vienna in 1814-15 Created by European Great Powers to reestablish order and stability after Napoleonic Wars. A forum for international colloboration for first and foremost European security

 Concert of major powers making system-wide decisions by negotiation and consensus. Practice of multilateral meetings rather than bilateral diplomacy. Settling problems and coordinating actions. Met over 30 times. Legitimized the independence of new European states (ex. Belgium, Greece)

 Decided to meet in times of peace to prevent war-a new concept. Codified the rules of diplomacy. Denouncing slavery-problems of the international system. Expanded the include others: the US; the recognition of the new LA states in 1823; Japan in 1853; the Ottoman Empire by the Treaty of Paris in 1856. But still Europe centered.

 The system remained relatively unorganized and there was in no sense a legal obligation to hold meetings or to attend them. There was not a set pattern to form the meetings or the types of decisions taken and their implementation. The Great Powers regarded as an institutional mechanism-for the benefit of the GP.

2) The Hague System: Two conferences: 1899 and 1907. Both European and non-European states: Included small powers. Universality and legal equality. To prevent war and to codify the conduct of the war. Exercises in arms control.

 Sought to make a system of power politics safer in the context of the developing technology of war. They did not progress far, but they staretd the foundations on which the league of Nations was built.

3) The functional Institutions: To deal with problems stemming from the industrial revolution. Commerce increased and internationalized. Trade frequently increased interstate conflicts. But states discovered that it is to their advantage to secure a more orderly environment: to promote trade contacts.

 International Bureau of Weight and Measures (1875) The International Union for the Publication of Customs and Tariffs (1890) International Health Offices. The International Telegraph UnionUniversal Postal Union. River Commissions

 The Concert stood for compromise The Hague stood for regulation The public international unions stood for cooperation

 Powers of state simultaneously diminished and enhanced. The state now has the capacity but give up parts of its sovereignty.

Definition (Archer)
A formal, continous structure Established by agreement between members from 2 (3) or more sovereign states With the aim of pursuing the common interests of the membership.

Classifications
1) Membership: Characteristics: IGOS and INGOs About 240 IGOs, about 6500 INGOs. What about the EU? IGO, sui generis or complex? Extent: Regional vs global sub-regional

2) Aims and Activities: General vs Specific Military/security; political; economic