LESSON 4: THE GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM AND
THE SUPER BODIES
Topic 1: GLOBAL INTERSTATE SYSTEM
Global Interstate System is the whole system of human
interactions. The modern world-system is structured
politically as an interstate system – a system of competing
and allying states. Political Scientists commonly call this
the international system, and it is the main focus of the
field of International Relations. ... All world-systems are composed of multiple interacting polities.
What is the purpose of global interstate system?
To contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational,
scientific, and cultural reforms in order to increase universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and
human rights along with fundamental freedom.
Importance of global interstate system
The most important feature of the interstate system is that it is anarchic. Unlike politics within states,
relations between states take place in a Hobbesian 'state of nature. ' Since an anarchic system is one in
which all states constantly face actual or potential threats, their main goal is security.
The global interstate system of globalization
- Globalization -Results from the removal of barriers between national economies to encourage the flow
of goods, services, capital, and labor. Interstate System -it is the fundamental basis of the competitive
commodity economy at the global system level.
What is the interstate system in international relations?
- As the international relations between two states are dominated by interstate relations, so their
relations are dominated by coercion, threats, and force. International violence is shaped by and a
consequence of state power.
What is international system?
- The term international system may refer to: In politics, international relations. It is the global
constellation of states. The term is commonly applied to the international systems of the Twentieth
century and can equally be applied to pre industrial international state system.
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Topic 2: SUPERBODIES: UNITED NATIONS & WBIMF IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
In the blockbuster, sci fi movie, Star Wars,
it was the company of Luke Skywalker (Mark
Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford), captain of the
Millennium Falcon, work together with the
companionable droid duo R2-D2 (Kenny Baker) and
C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) who came to rescue
hostage Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) of the Rebel
Alliance, and restore freedom and justice to the
Galaxy.
For us, living in the planet Earth, who will stand as mediator, as judge or peace advocate when
war among nations happens. Of course, we can’t call the Millennium Falcon to help us.
Who do you think will resolve the conflict between countries or among countries? In this
contemporary world, we are governed by a super body, the United Nations. This is the one who will
intervene, hear and resolve disputes among its member nations. The Philippines is one of the members.
There 193 member states of the United Nations (UN). The United Nation was founded in 1945,
just after the Second World War. The main organs of the UN are the General Assembly, the Security
Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of
Justice, and the UN Secretariat.
2.1. UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATIONAL BODY
2.1.1 General Assembly
The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the UN.
All 193 Member States of the UN are represented in the General Assembly, making it the only UN body
with universal representation.
Each year, in September, the full UN membership meets in the General Assembly Hall in New York
for the annual General Assembly session, and general debate, which many heads of state attend and
address. Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new
members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly. Decisions on
other questions are by simple majority. The General Assembly, each year, elects a GA President to serve
a one-year term of office.
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2.1.2. Security Council
The Security Council has primary responsibility, under the UN Charter, for the maintenance of
international peace and security. It has 15 Members (5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members).
Each Member has one vote. Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council
decisions. The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act
of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends
methods of adjustment or terms of settlement.
In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of
force to maintain or restore international peace and security. The Security Council has a Presidency,
which rotates, and changes, every month.
Subsidiary Organs in the UN Security Council
Under Article 29 of the Charter of the United Nations, the Security Council “may establish such
subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions”. Here are the following
Commissions and Investigative Bodies.
 Sanctions and Other Committees
 Standing and Ad hoc Committees
 Groups and Panels
 International Tribunals
 Missions of the Security Council and the Secretary-General
 The Peacebuilding Commission
 Peacekeeping Missions
 Political Missions and Offices
 Representatives, Mediators, Coordinators, and Good Offices
 Working Groups
 Subsidiary Organs Proposed but Not Established
 Other Material on Subsidiary Organs
2.1.3. Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy
dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as implementation
of internationally agreed development goals. It serves as the central mechanism for activities of the UN
system and its specialized agencies in the economic, social and environmental fields, supervising
subsidiary and expert bodies.
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It has 54 Members, elected by the General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms. It is the
United Nations’ central platform for reflection, debate, and innovative thinking on sustainable
development.
2.1.4. Trusteeship Council
The Trusteeship Council was established in 1945 by the UN Charter, under Chapter XIII, to provide
international supervision for 11 Trust Territories that had been placed under the administration of seven
Member States, and ensure that adequate steps were taken to prepare the Territories for selfgovernment and independence. By 1994, all Trust Territories had attained self-government or
independence.
The Trusteeship Council suspended operation on 1 November 1994. By a resolution adopted on
25 May 1994, the Council amended its rules of procedure to drop the obligation to meet annually and
agreed to meet as occasion required -- by its decision or the decision of its President, or at the request of
a majority of its members or the General Assembly or the Security Council.
2.1.5. International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at
the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). It is the only one of the six principal organs of the United
Nations not located in New York (United States of America).
The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it
by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations
organs and specialized agencies.
2.1.6. Secretariat
The Secretariat comprises the Secretary-General and tens of thousands of international UN staff
members who carry out the day-to-day work of the UN as mandated by the General Assembly and the
Organization's other principal organs.
The Secretary-General is chief administrative officer of the Organization, appointed by the
General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year, renewable term. UN
staff members are recruited internationally and locally, and work in duty stations and on peacekeeping
missions all around the world. But serving the cause of peace in a violent world is a dangerous occupation.
Since the founding of the United Nations, hundreds of brave men and women have given their lives in its
service.
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2.2. UNDERTAKINGS OF UNITED NATIONS DOES
Since its establishment in 1945, the United Nations has been active in extensive areas including
peace-keeping, arms control, the North-South problem, social and human rights issues.
2.2.1. Maintain International Peace and Security
The United Nations came into being in 1945, following the devastation of the Second World War,
with one central mission: the maintenance of international peace and security. The UN does this by
working to prevent conflict; helping parties in conflict make peace; peacekeeping; and creating the
conditions to allow peace to hold and flourish. These activities often overlap and should reinforce one
another, to be effective.
The UN Security Council has the primary responsibility for international peace and security. The
General Assembly and the Secretary-General play major, important, and complementary roles, along with
other UN offices and bodies.
2.2.2. Protect Human Rights
The term “human rights” was mentioned seven times in the UN's founding Charter, making the
promotion and protection of human rights a key purpose and guiding principle of the Organization. In
1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights brought human rights into the realm of international
law.
Since then, the Organization has diligently protected human rights through legal instruments and
on-the-ground activities.
2.2.3. Deliver Humanitarian Aid
One of the purposes of the United Nations, as stated in its Charter, is "to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character."
The UN first did this in the aftermath of the Second World War on the devastated continent of
Europe, which it helped to rebuild. The Organization is now relied upon by the international community
to coordinate humanitarian relief operations due to natural and man-made disasters in areas beyond the
relief capacity of national authorities alone.
2.2.4. Promote Sustainable Development
From the start in 1945, one of the main priorities of the United Nations was to “achieve
international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or
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humanitarian character and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental
freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.” Improving people’s well-being
continues to be one of the main focuses of the UN.
The global understanding of development has changed over the years, and countries now have
agreed that sustainable development – development that promotes prosperity and economic
opportunity, greater social well-being, and protection of the environment – offers the best path forward
for improving the lives of people everywhere.
2.2.5. Uphold International Law
The UN Charter, in its Preamble, set an objective: "to establish conditions under which justice and
respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained".
Ever since, the development of, and respect for international law has been a key part of the work of the
Organization.
This work is carried out in many ways - by courts, tribunals, multilateral treaties - and by the
Security Council, which can approve peacekeeping missions, impose sanctions, or authorize the use of
force when there is a threat to international peace and security, if it deems this necessary.
These powers are given to it by the UN Charter, which is considered an international treaty. As
such, it is an instrument of international law, and UN Member States are bound by it. The UN Charter
codifies the major principles of international relations, from sovereign equality of States to the prohibition
of the use of force in international relations.
2.3. OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
2.3.1. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
The OECD is an organization providing a forum for developed countries which share
fundamental values and principles of politics and economy to freely discuss a broad range of
topics other than politics and military affairs. Serving as the world opinion leader, the OECD
has been searching for ways to ensure sustainable development of the world by identifying
and analyzing potential problems which may confront the international community in the
future. For instance, the OECD became concerned with the global environmental problem
long before the problem came to attract attention worldwide as seen today.
Accordingly, it has studied the problem from all angles by giving full play to its expertise
in economic analysis. Also, the OECD has recently established the Center for Cooperation in
Changing European Economies and is about to play a leading role in integrating East European
countries into the world economy by providing these rapidly changing countries with
knowledge and know-how on the market economy of OECD member countries.
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Japan, highly appreciating such roles by the OECD, has actively taken part in all
discussions at the OECD and extended financial contributions comparable to those of the
United States. Thus, Japan has played a leading role matching its international presence.
2.3.2. International Monetary Fund (IMF)
The IMF has been serving as the central pillar of the international financial system and
playing an important part in promoting policy coordination among developed countries and
dealing with the accumulated debt problem. In the future, it is expected to play an active role
in assisting in reforms in Eastern Europe and promoting the "New Debt Strategy ".
At its Interim Committee held in May 1990, a need to further strengthen the IMF's
financial position and measures for delinquent countries was emphasized. The committee
then agreed on the 9th quota increase as well as the third amendment of its articles. As a
result, by the end of 1991, IMF's capital resources will have been increased by 50% and the
amendments of articles allowing the IMF to suspend the voting right of delinquent countries
will have taken effect.
In connection with the 9th quota increase, Japan shared second place with West
Germany in terms of quotas which form the basis of rights and duties related to the IMF.
2.4. WORLD BANK (WB) AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) are institutions in the United
Nations system. They share the same goal of raising living standards in their member countries.
Their approaches to this goal are complementary, with the IMF focusing on macroeconomic and
financial stability issues and the World Bank concentrating on long-term economic development and
poverty reduction.
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were both created at an international
conference convened in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, United States in July 1944. The goal of the
conference was to establish a framework for economic cooperation and development that would lead to
a more stable and prosperous global economy.
While this goal remains central to both institutions, their work is constantly evolving in response
to new economic developments and challenges
The IMF’s mandate
The IMF promotes international monetary cooperation and provides policy advice and capacity
development support to help countries build and maintain strong economies.
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The IMF also provides medium-term loans and helps countries design policy programs to solve
balance of payments problems when sufficient financing cannot be obtained to meet net international
payments.
IMF loans are short and medium term and funded mainly by the pool of quota contributions that
its members provide. IMF staffs are primarily economists with wide experience in macroeconomic and
financial policies.
The World Bank’s mandate
The World Bank promotes long-term economic development and poverty reduction by providing
technical and financial support to help countries reform certain sectors or implement specific projects—
such as building schools and health centers, providing water and electricity, fighting disease, and
protecting the environment.
World Bank assistance is generally long term and is funded both by member country contributions
and through bond issuance. World Bank staffs are often specialists on particular issues, sectors, or
techniques.
Reducing debt burdens
The IMF and World Bank have worked together to reduce the external debt burdens of the most
heavily indebted poor countries under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative and the Multilateral
Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI).
To date, debt reduction packages under the HIPC Initiative have been approved for 36 countries out of
39 eligible countries providing $76 billion in debt-service relief over time.
The IMF and World Bank continue to collaborate in assisting low-income countries achieve their
development goals without creating future debt problems. IMF and Bank staff jointly prepare country debt
sustainability analyses under the Debt Sustainability Framework (DSF) developed by the two institutions.
They continue to help low-income countries achieve their development goals without creating
future debt problems. IMF and Bank staffs jointly prepare country debt sustainability analyses under
the Debt Sustainability Framework (DSF) developed by the two institutions.
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Assessing financial stability
The IMF and the World Bank are also working together to make financial sectors in member
countries resilient and well regulated. The Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) was introduced in
1999 to identify the strengths and vulnerabilities of a country's financial system and recommend
appropriate policy responses.
The United Nations (UN) and the World Bank Group (WBG) have been discussing cooperation
since the founding of the two organizations (1944 and 1945, respectively) which focuses on economic and
social areas of mutual concern, such as reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development, and
investing in people.
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EVALUATION
INSTRUCTION: Discuss the following (100-150 words only)
Submit them at ecoben711@yahoo.com before our next class begins.
A. Does a country need to have an ally? Would it be beneficial?
B. How the WB-IMF helps their deeply buried creditor-countries or loan beneficiaries?
C. As future Engineer, what would be your possible allied companies? Why?
REFERENCES:
https://www.un.org/en/sections/what-we-do/
https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/other/bluebook/1990/1990-2-4.htm
https://www.die-gdi.de/uploads/media/Download_the_full_text__74_kb__01.pdf
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/repertoire/subsidiary-organs-overview
https://www.imf.org/en/About/Factsheets/Sheets/2016/07/27/15/31/IMF-World-Bank
www.imf.org
www.worldbank.org
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