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International Organization

Module description

In this module, you will grasp the overarching theoretical, methodological, and practical issues pertaining to international organizations. Firstly, the module will address theories and methods so that we have a core set of analytical tools that we can apply to our study of particular IOs. Secondly, this module will discuss specific international organisations, focusing on the main ones with high stakes in global governance system, such as Bretton Woods institutions, regional IOs, and United Nations.

No pre-requisite or co-requisite modules required for this module. It is suitable for both specialist and non-specialist students and recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

Module aims - intentions of the module

What are International Organisations (IOs) and why are they important in world politics? In this module, we will investigate various types of international organisations, tracing their historical origins, their ostensible functions, the international and domestic political forces that influence their functioning and their effectiveness, and how they are crucial to global governance.

This module will be organized into two parts. Firstly, we will begin the module by addressing a number of overarching theoretical and methodological questions so that we have a core set of analytical tools that we can apply to our study of particular IOs. From a theoretical perspective, we will consider various paradigms such as realism, liberalism, bureaucratism and constructivism. From a methodological point of view, we will focus on issues of endogeneity and non-random selection. In other words, separating the context in which an IO acts from the intrinsic effects of its actions. In the second part, we will delve into specific international organisations, focusing on the main ones with high stakes in global governance system. We will start with the Bretton Woods institutions: the World Bank, the IMF, and the WTO, followed by the regional versions of these institutions as well as the EU. Next, we look at the United Nations (General Assembly, Security Council, human rights and peacekeeping operations).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Define and understand the history and status quo of international organizations
• 2. Analyse how a variety of theories and methods can be used to analyze international organizations

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Understanding of the roles played by international organizations in international relations
• 4. Analyse how and why international organizations interact with domestic political forces to shape the global governance system

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Develop critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate questions, data and research sources
• 6. Develop written and verbal communication skills, especially those relevant for pursuing a career related to politics and/or international relations

Syllabus plan

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

Part 1 Introduction

Part 2 Specific international organizations

• The World Bank
• The IMF
• The WTO
• The UN- General Assembly and Security Council
• The United Nations – peacekeeping missions and human rights treaties
• Rising international organizations, such as AIIB.
  
  

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

The required reading materials will be uploaded to the eLearning system. In addition, below are useful background sources (not required to purchase):

• Robert Keohane, “The Demand for International Regimes”, International Organization, Vol.36, No.2, 1982.
• Barbara Koremenos, Charles Lipson and Duncan Snidal, “The Rational Design of International Institutions”, International Organization, Vol.55, No.4, 2001.
• Jeffrey Checkel, “International institutions and Socialization in Europe”, International Organization, Vol.59, No.3, 2005.
• Dreher, Axel, Jan-Egbert Sturm, and James Raymond Vreeland. "Development aid and international politics: Does membership on the UN Security Council influence World Bank decisions?." Journal of Development Economics 88.1 (2009): 1-18.
• Qian, Jing, James Raymond Vreeland, and Jianzhi Zhao. "The Impact of China's AIIB on the World Bank." International Organization (2023): 1-21.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

The required reading materials will be uploaded to the eLearning system.

Key words search

China; Chinese development; political economy