This document discusses the rise of multinational organizations and supranationalism. It begins by noting the increasing interconnectedness of nations yet prevalence of separatist movements. Most countries now participate in multinational associations due to necessity. The document then examines several major multinational organizations throughout history, including the League of Nations, United Nations, European Union, and NATO. It explores their goals, structures, successes, and ongoing challenges in fostering international cooperation and security.

1. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
MULTINATIONALISM on the MAP
At every turn we are reminded of the interconnectedness of nations, states, and regions, yet
separatism and calls for autonomy are rampant. Presently, we appear to be caught between the
forces of division and those of unification.
Despite the conflicts arising from these contradictory forces, today hardly a country exists that is
not involved in some multinational association. Why has this become a necessity for most
countries?

2. SUPRANATIONALISM
The phenomenon of interstate cooperation goes back to ancient Greece. This
cooperation is at unprecedented levels, involving international associations in political,
economic, cultural, and military spheres. Why would a political geographer view
participation in multilateral associations a good thing?

3. INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS
These days we hear a great deal about international sanctions designed to induce states
to change their behavior. How are they used and explain the effectiveness of these
sanctions (provide examples). What has to happen for sanctions to be effective?

4. THE LEAGUE of NATIONS
The modern beginnings of the supranational
movement came with the conferences that
followed the end of WWI.
The concept of an international organization
that would include all the states of the world
led to the creation of the League of Nations
in 1919.
Did the U.S. join? Why or why not?
Was the organization successful? Explain.

5. THE UNITED NATIONS
At the end of WWII a new organization was
formed to foster international security and
cooperation: The United Nations.
Did the U.S. participate? As of 1998, how
many countries are members?
Participation in the UN also serves to commit
states to internationally approved standards of
behavior as embodied in the UN Charter. If a
country violates the UN Charter, what can
happen to it?

6. All UN members have representatives in the General Assembly, where countries can
discuss issues, bring grievances, and recommend actions. The power in the UN lies in the
Security Council, which has 15 members, five permanent and ten that rotate from the
General Assembly. The Security Council investigates potentially threatening situations
and can vote to impose sanctions or to take military action.

7. Among the UN’s numerous functions, peacekeeping has become a costly and controversial
responsibility. Describe the peacekeeping operations of the UN. Has this role
increased? Since 1994, what part(s) of the world have needed peacekeepers? Has
the U.S. been involved?

8. The UN also provides an
international forum for stateless
nations. What does UNPO mean?
What is its goal?

9. THE LAW of the SEA
Another arena which the UN has accomplished much is the law of the sea. In what year
was an international agreement reached? National claims to adjacent waters originated
in Europe many centuries ago: First formal proposal?; The first criteria?; Did all
states agree to consistent areas?
How did some countries attempt to
broaden their maritime jurisdictions
during the 16th and 17th centuries?
What did the Soviet Union propose
after WWI?
Explain the Truman Proclamation and
its significance.

10. THE UNCLOS PROCESS
Economic motives have been the driving force behind the maritime expansion of
coastal states. Explain the UNCLOS process & its key provisions, including:
The Territorial Sea; The Exclusive Economic Zone; Mineral Resources.

11. An international political dilemma was
created by the question: What happens when
countries lie closer than 400 nautical miles to
each other, so that neither can have a full
200-mile EEZ (E. Asia; the North Sea)?
Explain how the median-line principle works
to solve this proximity dilemma. What
factor can present problems with this
principle?

12. REGIONAL MULTINATIONAL UNIONS
THE EUROPEAN UNION
The first major experiments in
interstate cooperation were taken in
Europe following WWII, in an effort to
accelerate post-war reconstruction.
Coupled with the famous Marshall
Plan, the effort proved enormously
successful, paving the way for the
European Union.

13. The European Union evolved from the earlier Common Market and European Community.
The EU is the manifestation of a series of unprecedented economic reforms that changes
the way countries/people interact. In short, the EU creates a “United States of Europe.”
Currently 27 European countries belong to the EU, with expansion likely in the future.
What would be the political benefits for Europe?

14. The EU will create a single market of more than 400 million people, generate economic
production that will rival that of the United States, and ….

15. …. it establishes a single
European currency and central
European bank.

16. With the EU, nationalistic trade barriers (tariffs) will topple and a European parliament
will enjoy more authority to regulate membership trade and political issues.
Problems confronting the viability & effectiveness of the EU include:
•Centuries-old rivalries hinder genuine cooperation
•Different levels of economic development in the region, including potential new
members
•Countries are reluctant to surrender sovereignty to the more potent European
parliament

17. SUPRANATIONALISM ELSEWHERE
NAFTA
Economic motives also lay behind the formation of the original North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA), formalized on January 1, 1994, which linked Canada, the
U.S., and Mexico in an economic community. How is NAFTA different from the EU?

18. OTHER FORMS of SUPRANATIONALISM
Often, the formation of one supranational union stimulates the creation of another.
Economic supranationalism in Europe was paralleled by the formation of a military
alliance, NATO. This, in turn, led to the creation of the Warsaw Pact.

19. The expansion of NATO into the
former Soviet sphere is of major
concern to Russia – why?
The U.S. puts a positive spin on
NATO expansion by emphasizing
that expansion better ensures
future peace in Europe, as more
countries become part of the same
organization.
Russia, although not a NATO
member, has been given a seat on a
non-voting committee to serve as an
observer and advisor.

20. Like economic unions, military alliances come and
go (Warsaw Pact). To survive following the end
of the Cold War, NATO is struggling to re-
define itself.
As part of its new post-Cold War mission, NATO
has been heavily involved in European
affairs, including military action against
perceived despots (Milosevic) and peacekeeping
missions (Bosnia, Kosovo, and Macedonia).
Currently, NATO is a major player in
Afghanistan.

21. The latest challenge confronting the
international community is terrorism. Terrorist
attacks, led by Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda
organization, have unified many countries to
wage war on terrorism.
There is a recognized reality that it will require
an international effort to contain and/or win the
war against terrorism.