Module 3

International Economic and Political Organizations (3 hours)

Introduction
An international organization (intergovernmental organization) is
an organization established by a treaty or other instrument governed by international law and
possessing its own international legal personality, such as the United Nations and the World
Health Organization. It is widely believed that international organizations should be responsible
for the maintenance of international peace and stability, be this economic, social or political, and
that they should act in the interest of the international community. It provides security, trade
opportunities, and stronger global relationship possibilities. International organizations can also
provide smaller states an opportunity for stronger economic power. Their functions include
maintaining standards to ensure
safety, helping developing countries achieve economic security, and establishing norms
regarding how countries make trade agreements and resolve conflicts. Most importantly, it is
indispensable and represents the great hope of humanity for peace and progress, help
countries cooperate to make better living conditions for people and to
prevent international conflict and to facilitate cooperation among states.
This section presents the major international organizations and their economic and
political purposes in building stronger nations.
Learning Outcomes
1. Identify the different international economic and political organizations
2. Define the goals, objectives and activities of each organization.
3. Understand the global purpose of international organizations and its role in
strengthening the process of globalization.
Content
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS

Name of Year About the Organization Aims and Mem Activities

Organiz Estab Purposes ber –
ation li- coun
shed tries
WORLD 1944 Provider of financial and The bank 189 Dedicated to
BANK out of technical assistance to predominantly providing
(WB) the Br individual countries around acts as an financing,
etton the globe. organization that advice, and
Wood attempts to fight research to
s poverty by developing
Agree offering nations to aid
ment developmental their economic
assistance to advancement.
 middle- and low-
income countries.
- ending extreme
poverty and
boosting shared
prosperity.
UNITED 1945 Committed to maintaining Responsible in 193 Maintenance of
NATION international peace and maintaining international
S (UN) security, developing friendly peace and peace and
relations security security,
among nations and among nations. promotion of
promoting social progress, the well-being
better living standards and of the people of
human rights. the world, and
international
cooperation.
EUROP NOV The European Union is The EU offers its 27 The union's
EAN 1, working towards citizens an area Euro purpose is to
UNION 1993 establishing a of freedom, pean promote peace,
(EU) by security union, security and coun establish a
the M making Europe more justice without tries unified
aastri secure by fighting terrorism internal borders. economic and
cht and serious crime and by The European monetary
Treat strengthening Europe's ext Union is set up system,
y ernal borders. with the aim of promote
ending the inclusion and
frequent and combat
bloody wars discrimination,
between break down
neighbours which barriers to trade
culminated in the and borders,
Second World encourage
War. technological
and scientific
developments,
champion
environmental
protection, etc.
WORLD July The World Trade The goal is to 164 Negotiating the
TRADE 29, Organization (WTO) is the help producers of reduction or
ORGAN 2016 only global international goods and elimination of
IZATIO organization dealing with services, obstacles to
N the rules of trade between exporters, and trade (import
(WTO) nations. importers conduct tariffs, other
their business. barriers to
The World Trade trade) and
Organization — agreeing on
the WTO — is the rules governing
international the conduct of
organization international
whose primary trade (e.g.
 purpose is to antidumping,
open trade for the subsidies,
benefit of all. product
standards, etc.)

ASSOCI 8 The Association of

To accelerate the 10 To provide
ATION Augu Southeast Asian Nations economic growth, assistance to
OF st (ASEAN) is a regional social progress each other in
SOUTH 1967 organization of 10
and cultural the form of
EAST Southeast Asian and Pacific
development in training and
ASIAN Rim countries whosethe region research
NATION governments collaborate tothrough joint facilities in the
S promote socio-cultural,
endeavours in the educational,
(ASEAN economic, and political spirit of equality professional,
) advancement in the region and partnership in technical and
order to administrative
strengthen the spheres.
foundation for a
prosperous and
peaceful
community of
Southeast Asian
Nations.
Asia- 1989 APEC operates Aim to create 21 APEC ensures
Pacific as a cooperative, greater prosperity that goods,
Economi multilateral economic and for the people of services,
c trade forum. the region by investment and
Coopera promoting people move
tion balanced, easily across
(APEC) inclusive, borders.
sustainable, Members
innovative and facilitate this
secure growth trade through
and by faster customs
accelerating procedures at
regional borders; more
economic favorable
integration. business
climates behind
the border; and
aligning
regulations and
standards
across the
region.
North 1994 Largest free trade The North 3 NAFTA
America agreement in the world. American Free eliminates tariff
n Free Trade Agreement s on imports an
Trade (NAFTA) was d exports
Agreem implemented in between the
ent order to promote three countries.
(NAFTA trade between the Tariffs are taxes
) U.S., Canada, used to make
and Mexico. foreign goods
more
expensive.
NAFTA created
specific rules to
regulate trade
in farm
products,
automobiles,
and clothing.

Internati Dec International Monetary It aims in 189 The IMF

onal 27, Fund (IMF) is an reducing global supports its
Monetar 1945 organization working to poverty, membership
y Fund foster global monetary encouraging by providing
(IMF) cooperation, secure international policy advice to
financial stability, facilitate.. trade, and governments
promoting and central
financial stability banks based
and economic on analysis of
growth. economic
trends and
cross-country
experiences;
research,
statistics,
forecasts,
and analysis
based on
tracking of
global,
regional, and
individual
economies
and markets.
United Dec UNICEF works to reach the Devoted to aiding 190 UNICEF's
Nations 11, most disadvantaged national efforts to activities
Children 1946 children and adolescents – improve the include immuniz
's Fund and to protect the rights of health, nutrition, ations and
(UNICE every child, education, and disease
F) general welfare of prevention,
children. administering
treatment for
children and
mothers with
HIV, enhancing
childhood and
maternal
 nutrition,
improving sanit
ation,
promoting educ
ation, and
providing emerg
ency relief in
response to
disasters.
WORLD April WHO directs and WHO works 194 Main areas
HEALT 7, coordinates international worldwide to of work are
H 1948 health within the United promote health, health
ORGAN Nations system. keep the world systems;
IZATIO safe, and serve health
N the vulnerable. Its through the
(WHO) goal is to ensure life-course;
that a billion more noncommuni
people have cable and
universal health . communicab
le diseases;
preparednes
s,
surveillance
and
response;
and
corporate
services.

Recommended learning materials and resources for supplementary reading.

For supplementary material on international organizations, visit youtube link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m1lLMGUejI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ZEyubkQkM

References
https://www.nber.org/reporter/winter00/krueger.html
https://libguides.brandonu.ca/c.php?g=315022&p=2104701