IGOs like the UN, NATO, IMF and World Bank allow powerful nations like the USA and EU to promote their interests on a global scale. While IGOs aim to foster cooperation, critics argue they are dominated by superpowers and promote their agendas. IGOs make key decisions influencing the global economy, conflicts, and environment, giving outsized influence to major donors. However, IGOs also help smaller nations and provided aid that rebuilt countries after WWII. Whether IGOs increase or decrease American power is debated, but they allow the USA to spread its ideology and priorities worldwide.

1. How does the USA maintain power / influence today?

2. International Organisations Decision Making on a Global Scale

3. Learning Objectives To understand what Inter-governmental Organisations are and what they do To understand the impact of IGOs To assess the role of IGOs in promoting superpowers

4. International Organisations or Intergovernmental Organisations - IGOs Make key decisions about World economy Conflicts Environmental issues Small number of key players on IGOs Often created by superpowers post war as a way to promote cooperation and reduce conflict Critics say created by superpowers for superpowers Some key IGOs include United Nations, NATO & Davos Group Who are likely to be the key players?

5. Power in IGOs Big overlap in membership of IGOs USA, EU dominate many – allows IGOs focus to follow their interests Often have a veto Lot of mutual support – has effect of a block vote USA and EU work together to promote or block policies they favour

6. United Nations Created 1945 Promote peace and cooperation Headquarters in New York Annual budget $1.8 billion 16 specialised agencies with headquarters in France, Italy Canada & Switzerland Logo

8. The UN General Assembly The core institution of the UN Each country represented there by their ambassador Discuss international issues to try to resolve conflict by political means One member one vote Decisions made by simple majority Debate issues such as international conflicts, disarmament, human rights, refugee issues etc Decisions are NOT legally binding but they have the weight of international opinion

9. UK at the UN Who is the UK ambassador to the UN? Ambassador Mark Lyall Grant

10. The UN Security Council Under UN Charter the Security Council has the main responsibility to maintain international peace and security USA, UK, France, China & Russia – 5 Permanent members of 15 nation council 10 others rotate on a 2 year cycle The General Assembly make recommendations but the security council can direct nations to take action It can apply sanctions Send countries to The International Court Send peace keeping troops They have a VETO – a right to reject resolutions. To be effective ALL must agree How can the security council be seen to be a form of political imperialism?

11. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Who am I? What is my job?

12. UN Members and Paymasters Who pays most to fund the UN? What impact might that have? Greenland & Western Sahara among the few non UN members

13. UN Agencies Do you know the following UN agencies? FAO UNESCO WHO UNICEF

14. The UN at work

15. Controller of trade The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland that " deals with the rules of trade between nations at a global or near-global level. " Born in 1995 under the Marrakesh Agreement, the WTO continues the liberalization process started by the now defunct General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT from 1947) and is currently comprised of 153 countries.

16. The WTO’s overriding objective is to help trade flow smoothly, freely, fairly and predictably. It does this by: Administering trade agreements Acting as a forum for trade negotiations Settling trade disputes Reviewing national trade policies Assisting developing countries in trade policy issues, through technical assistance and training programmes Cooperating with other international organizations

17. The WTO has nearly 150 members, accounting for over 97% of world trade. Around 30 others are negotiating membership. Decisions are made by the entire membership. This is typically by consensus. A majority vote is also possible but it has never been used in the WTO, and was extremely rare under the WTO’s predecessor, GATT. The WTO’s agreements have been ratified in all members’ parliaments. The WTO’s top level decision-making body is the Ministerial Conference which meets at least once every two years. Below this is the General Council (normally ambassadors and heads of delegation in Geneva, but sometimes officials sent from members’ capitals) which meets several times a year in the Geneva headquarters. The General Council also meets as the Trade Policy Review Body and the Dispute Settlement Body. At the next level, the Goods Council, Services Council and Intellectual Property (TRIPS) Council report to the General Council. Numerous specialized committees, working groups and working parties deal with the individual agreements and other areas such as the environment, development, membership applications and regional trade agreements.

18. Free trade has come to dominate trading, since WTO in 50s They removed Tax and tariffs on imports Quotas (numbers of) on imports Subsidies for domestic producers On certain items This has resulted in huge growth in trade and wealth, some nations have benefited whereas others have lost out. In Asia most have benefited but most African nations have seen trade decline Reasons for this are- that trade is mainly in hands of TNCs- who have chosen to invest in China and India not Sub Saharan African nations In Asia free trade zones have been set up to attract by offering tax breaks, non union areas and limited regulation Many African nations are unattractive to TNC investment due to poor infrastructure

19. WTO http:// www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/org6_map_e.htm

20. Trade has become freer but it’s still just an illusion for many nations Much of ‘global’ trade takes place within trade blocs- powerful ones like NAFTA and the EU, in these blocks there are no tariffs so bigger profit can be made Countries not involved in trade blocs always lose out as they have taxes and tariffs to pay

21. What is the IMF? The IMF ( International Monetary Fund ) formed in 1944 Stabilise currencies after WW2 Created by 44 rich countries to help those in debt Intended to prevent poverty & so limit the spread of communism In 2009 has 185 members

22. Not all members are equal The G20 have 70% of the votes The USA has 17% of votes as the biggest investor EU nations have 25% while BRICS have 9.7% Most of the poorest African nations have 1% between them How does the IMF work? Is it right that the BRIC nations have so little voting power?

23. IMF reflects US & EU interests Used £ to promote fight against communism But imposed conditions that led to LEDCs to have to cut health & education budgets so they could cut their debt Why do some people think the IMF is a tool of economic Imperialism?

24. The world bank Formed in same place and at time of IMF First loan was to France for post war reconstruction Mainly used today for natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies In the 50s helped finance post colonial states In 70s and 80s developed bad reputation for funding environmentally damaging projects or lending amounts countries could not afford to repay Now its aim is to eliminate poverty achieving MDG number 1- reducing debt Controlled in same way as IMF, by proportional votes, meaning a western centred ideology and balance in favour of them

25. Singapore- received investment to prevent communism conversion in 1945, Singapore captured during WW2, USA encouraged rebuilding of the Japanese inflicted damage through investment and loans Singapore rapidly recovered, it became one of the original 4 tigers (quick growing South East Asian economies during the 1970s World Bank and IMF successes

26. Japan- devastated at end of WW2 Allies wanted to encourage Japan’s recovery as they were worried USSR would try to invade and instil communism, so Japan did Gained loans and grants from the world bank and IMF Handed back territory acquired after 1894 Put right to vote in place removing the emperor system of governance Forbade Japan to ever lead war overseas or maintain an army Broke up powerful interest groups There was social unrest BUT Japan experienced rapid recovery, living standards were raised and political situation stabilised By the 1970s Japan overtook USSR as world’s second largest economy

27. The Davos Group or WEF Swiss based non-profit making foundation ‘ Entrepreneurship in the global public interest’ Focus business & profit Invitation only meeting Who goes? Business CEOs Academics Political Leaders IGO representatives The media

28. The Davos Group or WEF WEF is criticised by anti- globalisation campaigners They say capitalism = inequality Bono called it ‘fat cats in the snow’ Has no official status but attracts lots of publicity and Hollywood stars

29. Question Outline the positives and negatives of IGOs Without these IGOs the USA would have a lot less power? discuss