Summary of the course International and European Relations in the Master of Business Administration at KUL Campus Brussels. Written in the year 2024.
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Table of Contents
A. Definitions ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
B. Major actors in international relations ................................................................................................................ 2
C. Theories on international relations...................................................................................................................... 2
A. United Nations ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. UN and the maintenance of international peace and security ....................................................................... 4
3. Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................................ 5
B. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) .......................................................................................................... 5
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 5
2. NATO and the maintenance of peace and security ......................................................................................... 6
3. Case studies ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
4. Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
C. Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) ............................................................................. 8
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
2. OSCE and the maintenance of peace and security .......................................................................................... 8
3. Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
A. United Nations and the protection of human rights ......................................................................................... 10
1. Enforcement .................................................................................................................................................. 10
B. Council of Europe ............................................................................................................................................... 11
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 11
2. Council of Europe and the protection of human rights ................................................................................. 12
C. Private business enterprises and human rights ................................................................................................. 14
A. The World Trade Organization ........................................................................................................................... 14
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 14
2. Basic rules and principles of the WTO trading system .................................................................................. 15
3. WTO Trade Policy Review (TPR) ..................................................................................................................... 16
4. WTO Dispute Settlement ............................................................................................................................... 17
5. Evaluation ...................................................................................................................................................... 18
,Anaïs Ramos
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Part I: Definition and major actors in international relations
A. Definitions
International relations: relations that take place across national boundaries (= world politics)
State:
- Defined territory
- Permanent population
- Government (exercises authority over a population)
- Capacity to enter into relations with other states
Recognition of states:
- Constitutive theory: only a state if recognized by other countries
- Declaratory theory: self-recognition is enough
- Taiwan, Kosovo and Palestine are not recognized by everyone
B. Major actors in international relations
❖ International organizations
• Features:
- Established by states (membership limited exclusively or primarily to states)
- By means of a treaty
- Organ with a distinct will
- Established under international law
- International legal personality (rights and duties)
Examples: EU, UN, WHO, WTO
• Classifications:
- Open (any state can join) vs closed (not every state can apply, membership restricted based on location,
wealth, religion, etc.), ex: African Union, Commonwealth
- Supranational (member states surrender power in specific areas, decisions are legally binding) vs
intergovernmental (voluntary cooperation, decisions are not enforceable, members remain
independent)
- Political (broad goals like the UN) vs functional (specific focus like the agencies of the UN)
❖ International non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Features: established by and composed of private, non-state international actors
Examples: Greenpeace, Doctors without borders
• Categories:
- Private-sector economic organizations (multinationals: own and operate facilities in states other than the
one in which it is based)
- NGOs with explicit economic, political or social agendas: Greenpeace, amnesty
- NGOs that attempt to avoid overtly political roles: Red cross
- Terrorist and criminal organizations or networks: Al Qaida, drug cartels
❖ Individuals: political leaders, activists, CEOs, terrorists can play a role in international relations
C. Theories on international relations
, Anaïs Ramos
Realism (billiard): emphasis on the role of state, national interest and military power. Security is more
important than economies, and economy is more important than human rights.
Liberalism (web): peace and cooperation among states/organizations can produce “absolute gains” for all.
Democracy as main principle.
Economic structuralism (pyramid): social classes, struggle of the working class, exploitation of labor by
capitalists.
Part II: Peace and security
A. United Nations
1. Introduction
• Origin: created in 1945, after the end of WW2, to encourage the resolution of international conflicts without
war. 5 permanent members with veto power: China, France, Russia, UK, US.
• Objectives: maintenance of international peace and security, promoting respect for human rights,
development, fostering cooperation between nations
• Principles:
- Sovereign equality of all its members (1 state = 1 vote)
- Peaceful settlement of disputes, use of force in international relations is forbidden
- Domestic jurisdiction clause: UN will not intervene in domestic matters (unless mandated by Security
Council: human rights violations, genocide, etc.)
- Registration of treaties: for transparency to prevent secret alliances
- UN obligations prevail
• Membership UN (art. 3, 4 UN Charter):
- Conditions and procedure: peace-loving states accepting the obligations in the UN Charter, upon
recommendation of the Security Council, by decision of the General Assembly (majority 2/3)
- Evolution in membership: from 51 to 193 members, divided into five regional groups: African group,
Asian group, Eastern European, Western European and others, Latin American and Caribbean
- Suspension (Art. 5): when a country violates one of the main principles of the UN (is not common), ex:
South Africa because of apartheid
- Expulsion (Art. 6)
• Structure UN:
- General Assembly: main deliberative organ, composed of representatives of all member states (1 vote
each)
- Security Council: 15 members, 1 vote each, member states are obligated to comply with Council
decisions
- Economic and Social Council: world’s economic, social and environmental challenges are discussed,
policy recommendations are made
- Secretariat: staff carrying out the day-to-day work of the organization
- International Court of Justice settles legal disputes between States
- Trusteeship Council (now defunct): provide international supervision for 11 Trust Territories to prepare
them for self-government or independence
• Other aspects:
- Financing: system of compulsory contributions by all members
- Privileges and immunities for UN personnel are established under Art 105, multilateral treaties, and
Headquarters agreements with host countries
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