This document contains questions and answers which can be used to study for the IGO & INGO exam. 6 sections: Security, human rights, trade, development, environment, and the Council of Europe.
What is the traditional definition of security?
The security of states related to war and conflict between states. Concerned with the
prevention of war
What are the main principles as inscribed in the UN Charter?
1. To maintain international peace and security
2. To develop friendly relations among nations
3. To address economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems
4. To promote respect for universal human rights
The UN is based on collective security. Briefly explain what is meant by “collective
security” and offer an explanation of how this concept failed in practice
An arrangement in which all states cooperate to provide security for each other by taking all
necessary action against any state which uses force against others; To be effective all major
states must be part of the collective security arrangement, a sense of common trust and
determination must exist to prevent aggression between all the states. An example is the
League of Nations, created in the expectation that there would be a harmony of interests
between all member states which would provide the basis for collective security, in order for
collective security to succeed you need commitment, consensus and organization, this was not
the case here thus the League of Nations failed.
What is meant by “human security”? How does this differ from traditional approaches
to security?
Human security is a people centered-approach, physical threats to the individual, not only
from war but also hunger, disease, poverty, environmental disasters etc.
Who are the five permanent members of the Security Council? Explain why is their
(absolute) veto so controversial?
China, France, Russia, the UK and the USA. A negative vote from any of the permanent
members will block the adoption of a draft resolution. The veto power has been criticized for
its undemocratic nature. A single country can prevent a majority of the Security Council from
taking any action.
What do Chapters VI, VII and VI½ of the UN Charter entail?
Chapter VI: peaceful measures: pacific settlements of disputes. The Security Council may at
any time investigate, arbitrate and recommend solutions, if it sees a threat to international
peace. Chapter VI ½: peacekeeping and peacebuilding Chapter VII: forceful measures gives
the Security Council the authority to define threats to and breaches of the peace & define
appropriate responses (e.g. sanctions or use of force) Requires member states to abide by
Security Council decisions and to contribute to UN enforcement in general.
, Human Rights
What are civil/political rights?
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from
infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's
entitlement to participate in the civil and political life of the society and state without
discrimination or repression.
What are economic/social rights?
Economic, social and cultural rights are socio-economic human rights, such as the right to
education, right to housing, right to adequate standard of living, right to health, victims' rights
and the right to science and culture.
What are collective rights?
Right to self-determination & development. Preservation of ethnic minorities cultural
identities & forms of organization. Territorial and biodiversity rights for indigenous people
What are human rights?
Human rights are entitlements possessed by all human being by virtue of their humanity, they
are designed to advance human dignity, they govern the relationship between individuals and
their government.
Why is it so difficult to reach agreements on human rights?
People view human rights differently:
West: Political/civil rights vs East: Social/economic rights
South: Economic/cultural/collective rights vs North: Political/civil rights
Universalism vs Cultural relativism
Common criticisms: Discrepancy between North’s rhetoric & politics, ignores the basic needs
of people in the developing world, supports abusive regimes, denies the right to development.
HR principles are Eurocentric and therefore culturally bound; ignore non-Western approaches
to human rights like philosophic & religious traditions
What is humanitarian intervention? And why is it controversial?
Interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, which has not committed acts of
aggression, to secure & enforce HR. Controversial because it undermines the sates
sovereignty, it might worsen the situation and states can intervene for their own interest.
Through which types of intervention does the international community protect human
rights?
Types of intervention:
Forcible: use of military units without the government’s consent
Non-forcible (i.e. sanctions, withholding aid, funding opposition parties et.)
What is meant by ‘nonrefoulement’?
Non-refoulement is a fundamental principle of international law that forbids a country
receiving asylum seekers from returning them to a country in which they would be in likely
danger of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social
group or political opinion.
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