Global Governace
Virtually every important aspect of the
contemporary world is being managed by
certain governmental institutions. The
demand for global governance increases as
states, communities, and individuals are
being exposed to issues and challenges
they alone cannot address.
At the turn of the 20th century, the
ascendancy of the state as the primary
factor in world affairs is increasingly
challenged by the presence of non-state
actors like Intergovernmental
Organizations (IGO’s) and Non-
governmental Organizations (NGO’s).
Intergovernmental Organizations
. Are made up of states established for
single and multiple objectives
. They were powers in making crucial
decisions and coordinating actions in
important policy areas like peace and
security, trade, finance and development
through global collective action.
Intergovernmental organizations, such as
the United Nations, play important roles in
global governance. They develop habits of
global cooperation among states through
regular interactions. Along with states,
IGO’s spearhead the creation and
maintenance of principles, norms and rules
based on collective concerns.
Non-governmantal Organizations
They are generally private, voluntary
organizations whose members are either
individuals or groups gathered for a
common purpose. They act as advocates
for specific policies and offer alternative
forum for political participation. They
mobilize the public in the promotion of
advocacies like health, education, etc.
The United Nations
.Founded in 1945, the UN was the result of
initiatives taken by governments of the
states that had led the war against
Germany and Japan
.By 2018, there are 193 sovereign state-
members of the UN
. When joining ,member states agreed to
accept the obligations of the UN Charter,
an international treaty that set out the
basic principles of international relations:
sovereign equality of states.
.Only international problems are within UN
jurisdiction, mostly related to peace and
security.
. The UN is the only organization with the
legitimacy that derives from universal
membership, and a mandate that
encompasses security, economic and social
development, the protection of human
rights, and the protection of the
environment,
The Security Council
. This body was given the main
responsibility for maintaining international
peace and security
.Its decisions are binding, and must only be
passed by a majority of 9 out of 15
members.
. When the security council considers a
threat to international peace, it explores
ways to settle the dispute peacefully.
. It may suggest principles for a settlement
or may suggest a mediation.
. In the event of fighting, it tries to secure a
ceasefire, it tries to secure a ceasefire.
General Assembly
.All member states are represented in the
General Assembly which meets to consider
the world’s most pressing problems.
. Its decisions only have the status of
recommendations, rather than binding
decisions.
.Its recommendations are important
indications of global opinion regarding
various issues, affecting not just states but
communities as well as individulas.
Secretariat
Secretariat
.It carries out the substantive and
administrative work of the United Nations.
.It is led by the secretary-general, who
provides over-all administrative guidance.
. It is empowered to become involved in a
large range of areas involving peace,
including economic, social and
humanitarian problems
Economic and Social Council
.It is intended to coordinate the economic
and social work of the UN.
.It consults with NGO’s, thereby
maintaining a vital link between the UN
and civil society.
