International Organization and Transnational Actors

1. International Organization and Transnational Actors Lecture #5: March 21, 2017 POLI 140

2. Types of IGOs • IGO = International governmental organization • i.e. UN, EU, WTO, OPEC, NATO • Formed by states and have states as members • Transnational actors • TNCs = transnational corporations • McDonald’s, Apple, etc… • NGOs = nongovernmental organizations • Doctors without Borders, Red Cross/Crescent • Work across national boundaries but members are not states

3. Why Form IGOs? • Liberal institutionalists say, “because it is in their interest to do so.” • Security, trade, finance, environment, etc… • WTO reduces transactions costs • Overcome collective action problems • Reduce “friction” • Realists say, “but are they really constraining?” • Power still fundamental, sovereignty retained

4. Two definitions • Intergovernmentalism • State Representatives meet to make decisions • Reps are thinking about what’s best for their state • Supranationalism – supersedes states • Decisions are delegated directly to organization • Decisionmakers at the org are thinking about the whole group (not an individual state)

5. United Nations • UN formed after WWII • Membership is universal • Closest thing to a world gov’t that exists • Viewed as both a hope of mankind and potential threat to national sovereignty • Recognizes primacy of “great powers” given permanent seats and veto power on security council

6. United Nations • UN = IGO • General Assembly, all members have a rep. • One state, one vote • Resolutions do not have the force of law • They can….and are ignored. • But it can embarrass a state • UN does not have the power to tax • Relies on voluntary contributions • More than 80% of members fail to pay on time and in full

7. United Nations • Does sometimes engage in deterrence and counter-aggression • try to somewhat replicate the purpose of League of Nations • Security council could deter agression through collective action • Rarely works in practice, e.g. USA invades Iraq in 2003 • Peacekeeping – this has been more successful • But often not – Rwanda, Yugoslavia, for example • Tight rules of engagement, lightly armed

8. United Nations • ECOSOC – economic and social council • Provides funds, advice for development • WHO, UN Statistical group • Forum to provide goods of global importance • ICJ – international court of justice • Court that can adjudicate treaty obligations • Interprets international law • Lowers transactions costs, provides neutrality

9. Views of the UN • World Government – nobody really takes this one seriously • Irrelevant – realists, mostly • Tool for states – liberals, mostly • Source of norms – social constructivists, mostly

10. So…what is Brexit? • Brexit = British exit from the EU • EU = European Union • Began in 1951 as Eur. Coal & Steel Comm. • Envisioned as future “United States of Europe” • 6 original members, now 28 • largest economy in the world, peace & prosperity on continent, 26 of 28 score very high on HD index • Free trade, free movement of people, common currency, common laws and regs.

11. United States of Europe • European project premised on common European identity • Christian or “post-Christian” • Western culture – EU Anthem: “Ode to Joy” • Enlightenment ideals – human rights, democracy, welfare state • Benefits to member states • Free trade, larger markets • Improve governance • Cooperate to face the world united • Airbus, for example. • Immanuel Kant’s “Perpetual Peace” –It’s worked!

12. So, why leave? • Well, UK always “Euroskeptical” • Traditional UK identity as not “Europe” • Strong ties to USA and Commonwealth • Conservatives, Churchill opposed • Belief that the EU weakens the nation-state • Not original member, France opposed • Consistent holdout on deepening ties • Kept the Pound • Not a part of Schengen treaty

13. Okay, but why now? • Increasing Euroscepticism because: • Increasing Immigration • Though most UK immigration from non-EU countries • $ sent to poorer regions/ distressed regions • General Malaise • Technocrats/elites/bureaucrats not listening, send a message for accountability • UKIP and some Tories pressure for Referendum – PM David Cameron agrees

14. What went wrong? • Expand to quickly? Possibly from UK perspective, but not from EE perspective • What happens to Baltic states, Poland, etc… w/o EU? • Problem of rich/poor? • Yes, at least to some degree for UK • UK rich, low farmers – but Scotland! • So-called PIIGS not part of recent expansion • Regional inequality has been there, benefits MNC • European Monetary Union – It’s a problem, but not for UK • But if the forces that are roiling the EU are related to those of USA, may not be EU’s fault.

15. Is this the beginning of the end? • Predictions are hard, especially about the future. • Short answer yes… with an if. • yes, if you mean United States of Europe project and deepening ties (at least for now) • Long answer no…with a but. • No, the European Union unlikely to end, but if they are incapable of adapting they will… • Need to be able to adapt to challenges: security, immigration, economic recession w/ creativity and erase “democratic deficit”

16. Key test in France • France is a core member in a way the UK is not • If Marine Le Pen is elected, this will be very, very ominous for the EU’s future. • French incredibly pessimistic about economy, gov’t., future • Blame “traditional” party elites in France and Europe.