Definition and Historical Aspects of International

Organizations.

Definition
The author uses the works of Jeremy Bentham 1 in his definition of the
International and its relationship with individuals and groups in one state and
individuals and groups in another state, as well as intergovernmental relations. Also
from the works of Duverger2, the author highlight the fact that, one form of the
organization of international relations can be seen in institutions

the collective

forms or basic structures of social organization as established by law or by human

tradition

whether

these

be

trade,

commerce,

diplomacy,

conferences

or

international organizations.
From what proceeds, since there are many diversed definition of the
word international organization, the author adopts the definition put forward by
Duverger, where by, an International Organization represents a form of institution
that refers to a formal system of rules and objectives, a rationalized administrative
instrument and

which

has

formal

technical

and

material

organization:

constitutions, local chapters, physical equipment, machines, emblems, letterhead

stationery, a staff, an administrative hierarchy and so forth.
International

organization

is

process;

international

Hence an

organizations

are

representative aspects of the phase of that process which has been reached at a
given time.

1 Jeremy Bentham (1780), An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation,

2 Duverger, M. (1972) The Study of Politics, London: Nelson.

By: NKWAH Akongnwi NGWAPage 1

 International Organizations up to the First World War

By: NKWAH Akongnwi NGWAPage 2