IO multiple choice

• Achievements of the League of Nations:

  1. Settlement of Disputes

     

  2. Mandates System: It administered former German and Ottoman territories through the mandates system, which, albeit controversial, aimed to prepare these regions for self-rule.

  3. Social and Humanitarian Accomplishments:The League made significant contributions in improving labor conditions, combating disease, and tackling human trafficking.

  4. Minority Rights: It was a pioneer in protecting the rights of ethnic and religious minorities in Europe, setting a precedent for international human rights norms.
• Failures of the League of Nations

  1. Inability to Prevent War: It failed to prevent aggression by major powers such as Japan's invasion of Manchuria, Italy's invasion of Ethiopia, and the lead-up to World War II.

  2. Lack of Universal Membership: Major powers such as the United States never joined, and others, like Germany and the Soviet Union, were initially excluded or left later

  3. No Armed Forces:

  4. Decision-Making Processes: Its requirement for unanimity in decisions made responding to crises cumbersome.
• Similarities between the Problems of the League of Nations and those of the UN:

  1. Enforcement Mechanisms:The UN, like the League, lacks a standing military force and must rely on member states for troops, creating hesitancy and delays.

  3. **Major Powers' Influence:** The UN Security Council, with its five permanent members holding veto power, can be parallel to the League's reliance on major powers who could defy its resolutions with little consequence.
• What is fragmentation in international law

  Fragmentation in international law happens when there are many different laws and rules for specific issues like trade or the environment, and they don't always match up well. This can confuse and make it hard for countries to follow all the rules properly.
• The main function of the security council:

  helping to promote and maintain both security and peace on an international level

  • Security council plays a role in helping states get along and facilitating problem solving
• What measures can the security council take

  • Investigating and helping states come to an agreement
  • Calling for a ceasefire
  • Cutting diplomatic ties
  • Imposing financial punishments
  • Getting militaries involved
• Composition of the security council

  • 15 council seats (five of them are permanent) ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms
  • 5 permanent members are US, UK, China, Russia, and France
  • Presidency changes on a monthly basis
  • 193 member countries 
  • UN members have to uphold security council decisions
  • Meaning UNSC has decision making power over them
• 3) Is it possible to resolve the underrepresentation of the southern countries, as permanent members, in the Security Council?

  • Under the current rules, any change would need a ⅔ in favor vote as well as all of the votes of the five permanent members making it difficult achieve
  • Almost all UN council members agree on council reform, but they disagree on how it should be done.
• What is R2P?

  • Principle officially adopted in 2005 in A/RES/60/1
  • Violations of human rights in the Balkans and Rwanda sparked a need for the creation of a means for the UN to respond and take action when necessary
  • Created as a way to react against extreme human rights violations by states
  • Allows for the use of force when it is a necessary intervention
  • Reinforces state obligations to prevent and protect against things such as genocide and other human rights violations
  • Gives UN more authority to take action when States are not
• What is the ILO:

  • The international labor organization works to support labor rights, human rights, and social justice initiatives
  • Main purpose is to work towards good economic and working conditions for citizens
  • Platform for both employees, governments, and employers
  • Created in 1919 as a part of Treaty of Versailles
  • 3 main bodies: International Labor Conference, Governing Body, International Labor Office
• Functions of ILO:

  • There are four main objectives/functions of the ILO
  • Promote and create standards for work standards, principles, and rights
  • Create opportunities for both male and female employees to have jobs and incomes
  • Provide a greater sense of social protection
  • Build upon tripartism and start open communication
• FPIC:

  • Important concept protecting indigenous peoples rights regarding their access to natural resources, land, and other cultural elements as well as their ability to have a say in legislative decisions that affect them
• Sarayaku vs Ecuador:

  • In the 90’s the State decided to allow a private oil company to engage in oil exploration and exploitation on the Kichwa Indigenous People of Sarayaku’s land. 
  • They did not consult or communicate with the tribe beforehand
  • Ecuador admitted fault eventually and the Court ruled in favor of the Sarayaku but this came after decades of use of the land 
• Un system, main bodies:

   The UN system is comprised of six principal organs:

  • General Assembly
  • Security Council
  • Economic and Social Council
  • Secretariat
  • International Court of Justice
  • Trustee Councilship 
• • General Assembly


  makes recommendations to states on international issues within its competence and has a symbolic power
• Security council


  maintains international peace and security, only body with executive power
• economic and social council


  serves was the central forum for discussions on international economic and social issues
• secretariat


  prepares the sessions of the UN bodies in terms of organization
• international court of justice


  judicial body of the UN
• trustee council ship

  oversight of trust territories governance throughout their transformation from colonies to independent states
•  UN programs and agencies:

  • The UN system is made up of different funds and programs, and different specialized agencies 
  • Programs and funds financed through voluntary contributions
  • Specialized agencies financed through voluntary and assessed contributions
• UNDP

  United Nations Development Programme
• UNDP


  • Global development network that is part of the UN
  • Advocates for important changes
  • Provides resources and knowledge to countries to improve people's lives
• UNDP is a main part of the UN Sustainable Development Group
• The UN Sustainable Development Group combines 40 funds, agencies, and programmes of the UN
• Deputy security general


  Acts as the chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group
• UNDP administrator


  Vice chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group
• UNDP works with 170 countries
• Main areas of focus for UNDP


  • Sustainable development efforts
  • Democracy and peacebuilding
  • Recovery and protection from climate and other disasters
• About the OSCE;

  • Largest regional security organization
  • 57 members from Europe, Asia, and North America
  • 3 dimensions when approaching security
• Main dimensions of the OSCE:

  • Politico-military dimension
  • Ex: arms control, fighting terrorism, policing
  • Human Dimension
  • Ex: democratization, elections, minority rights
  • Economic and environmental dimension
  • Ex: economic and environmental activities
  • Cross-Dimensional
  • Ex: Migration, gender equality, cyber security