📍Topic 9.8 Institutions Developing in a Globalized World

📖 AMSCO p.696 - p.702

Main Idea

Key Timeline

Image Courtesy of Riya Patel

Things to Know

The United Nations: A Structure for Peace

• Formed in response to the devastation of World Wars, the United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 with the primary goal of preventing conflicts and maintaining world peace.
• The UN's structure includes agencies like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, providing technical advice and loans to developing nations to foster international cooperation.

Assemblies of the United Nations

• General Assembly
  • Represents all member states and decides on peace, security, new member admission, and budget through a two-thirds majority vote.
  • Each member nation has one vote, emphasizing equal participation.
• Security Council
  • Comprised of five permanent members (U.S., France, Great Britain, Russia, China) and 10 rotating members.
  • Can use military force to address violations of UN principles, but veto power of permanent members has been controversial.

The UN and Human Rights

• The UN's commitment to human rights is highlighted by the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
  • Covers basic rights like freedom from slavery, equality before the law, and the right to education and healthcare.
  • Investigates and addresses human rights abuses globally, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against women.

Keeping the Peace

• Since World War II, the UN has been known for peacekeeping efforts.
  • Employs diplomacy, special envoys, and peacekeeping forces to prevent conflicts from escalating.
  • Peacekeeping missions undertaken in various regions, but challenges include slow response times and conflicting expectations for troops.

Other UN Priorities

• The UN is involved in protecting refugees, providing aid through World Food Program (WFP), and addressing hunger with the World Food Program (WFP).
• UNESCO
  • Established in 1945, focuses on education, science, and culture, rehabilitating war-damaged institutions and designating World Heritage Sites.
  • Addresses global issues related to literacy, education extension, and cultural preservation.
• Various Organizations
  • World Health Organization and UNICEF address health and children's issues globally.

International Financial NGOs

• World Bank
  • Created in 1944, fights poverty by providing loans but faces criticism for potential environmental and cultural damage.
  • Initially focused on dams and roads, later expanded to social projects like education and disease prevention.
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • Established in 1945, aims to stabilize currency exchange rates through short-term loans.
  • Critics argue it favors wealthy nations, and conditions on loans might not consider individual countries' needs.

NGOs Separate from the UN

• Independent NGOs
  • International Peace Bureau founded in 1891 contributes to peace efforts and nuclear disarmament.
  • Operate separately from the UN but align with similar goals, lobbying for reduced military spending and global peace initiatives.

Terms to Remember