2024

DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES AND
INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
Student´S NAME: Daniela dávila gutiérrez
TEACHER´S NAME: JOSE MANUEL RODRIGUEZ LLAMAS
GROUP: N2
 DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUE
JOHN W. MCARTHUR 1 & ERIC WERKER

Power relations in international organizations have undergone significant changes due to the
emergence of developing countries with greater influence. These changes have led to a
geopolitical transition in which international cooperation has focused on principles of problem-
solving, universality, sustainability, and horizontal power structures. Additionally, it has been
observed that emerging countries, such as Brazil, China, and India, have had the capacity to
provoke changes in the international institutional order by making credible threats to undermine
the existing order, which has set the context for successful negotiations and adaptations.
There has been a transition in which developing countries have influence in global governance;
the influence of local and global norms on the activities of international organizations is
significant. Anderl (2016) questions the conventional wisdom on how norms spread to
developing countries, and his study reveals that international organizations do not "localize"
global norms, but frame their practices with global norms.
Furthermore, global norms permeate even completely secure activities, indicating the
omnipresent presence of global norms. This suggests that, if not challenged, they do not predict
imminent changes in outcomes influenced by international organizations, even when developing
countries are better represented in senior leadership positions in international organizations.
Some studies suggest that citizens of developing countries may have a high degree of trust and
respect for international organizations, even more than for their own national governments.
There are theories that suggest that foreign aid may be diverted by recipient governments for
their own benefit, to the detriment of the welfare of citizens.
Technical assistance in elections is less common than electoral observation due to several
factors. First, it is highlighted that the most autocratic countries, which have a high political cost
of being undermined through more legitimate elections, are less likely to request assistance.
Additionally, countries that already have stronger electoral institutions are also less likely to
request technical assistance. On the other hand, the UN tends to decline technical assistance to
incumbents who seem to lack the will to reform, suggesting that they seek to maximize the return
on their investment in program delivery. These findings help explain the lower level of electoral
assistance activity compared to electoral observation.
CONCLUSION
As developing countries gain greater influence in international organizations, these organizations
are likely to adopt global norms and practices to a greater extent that reflect the realities and
priorities of these countries. This could result in greater legitimacy and effectiveness of
international organizations in addressing global issues and meeting the needs of a wider range of
countries and citizens worldwide.
We could consider how the greater influence of developing countries in international
organizations could change the decision-making dynamics and agenda of these organizations.
With more equitable representation, policies and programs that more effectively address the
specific needs and challenges of developing countries, such as poverty reduction, access to
health and education, mitigation of climate change, and sustainable development, are likely to be
promoted.
This greater influence could also lead to greater legitimacy of decisions taken by international
organizations, as they would more accurately reflect the realities and priorities of a wider range
of countries. This could result in greater acceptance and cooperation by member countries, which
in turn could strengthen the ability of international organizations to effectively
address global issues