The Relevance Of International Institutions In Maintaining Peace And Facilitating Cooperation In International Relations

In shaping the dynamics of international relations, international institutions have played a vital role. Ranging from the United Nations (UN), these organizations, to regional bodies such as the European Union (EU), to maintain peace and facilitate collaboration among states, have often been touted as essential. In achieving this goal of success, this essay focuses on the critical analysis of the relevancy of international institutions with the help of the liberal theory of international relations. Through the investigation of the major aspects of liberalism and the provision of evidence from traditional and historical events, this essay evaluates the significance of international institutions in encouraging peace and cooperation.

Liberalism is an international relations (IR) theory; it understands the importance of international institutions in encouraging cooperation and maintaining peace around states. Realist theories focus on political power and state-eccentric behavior, liberalism posits that it is not possible for the international corporation but desired through the establishment of institutions and norms. The “Perpetual Peace” is the concept of Immanuel Kant, described as a federation of states that embodies the liberal perspective, and also provides the status of the instruction that can transcend the state of nature through cooperating with a framework of rules and instructions. One of the main tenets of liberalism is confidence in the interdependence of states. Liberals claim that status is not the main factor but is associated with economic, political, and social. This interdependence is essential for cooperation; they argue that status can have negative consequences on various levels. Additionally, international institutions provide a platform for states to coordinate their actions, resolve disputes, and aim for common goals.

Kant's idea "Federation of states" represents the "League of Nations" which provides sovereign status and would come together voluntarily to form a collective body. This federation contributes to resolving disputes peacefully and deterring aggression. Kant has argued for democratic states, which is characterized by accountable governments and respect for individual rights which also promotes peaceful well-being (Eilstrup-Sangiovanni 2021). Kant understood the importance of international law and the need to abide by it. He also believed that the attachment to a system of rules and norms can reduce the chances of conflict. Kant's vision also contributed to cosmopolitan ethics and it is known for a sense of global citizenship and moral principles that promotes national borders (Weiss and Wallace 2021). He believed that individual states can recognize their moral obligations to all of humanity.

Kant’s ideas on perpetual peace had a long-term impact on the development of liberals through international relationships. These ideas improve the groundwork for international organization, diplomacy, and the rule of law as a means to achieve peace and cooperation among nations. The League of Nations, in its truest sense, is the first International Institution. The main objective of this Institution was to maintain peace between nations. The Covenant stated objectives including the prevention of war through disarmament and collective security and the settlement of international disputes through arbitration and negotiation (Börzel and Zürn 2021). The League of Nations had 58 members but recently it realized that the League faced the absence of its armed forces. To enforce its resolutions, provide an army force whenever needed, and keep to its economic sanctions, it depended on the Great Powers. Multiple reasons such as this led to the League of Nations’ downfall. As per Hirschmann (2021), the Second World War demonstrated the cause of the failure of the League’s central purpose to prevent any further world war. After the end of the war, the United Nations (UN) replaced it and inherited various agencies and institutions which were founded by the League.

Another International Institution, the United Nations focuses on facilitating cooperation in international law, economic development, international security, human rights, social progress, and the achievement of world peace. The UN recently has 193 member states comprises each state that is internationally recognized sovereign but is other than that of Vatican City (Burchill et al. 2022). The main six organs of the UN are the major deliberative assembly which are the General Assembly, The Security Council (which decides certain resolutions to maintain peace and security), The Secretariat, The International Court of Justice, The Economic and Social Council, and The United Nations Trusteeship Council. On the other hand, the other major UN system agencies consist of the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) (Casarões and Barros Leal Farias 2022). The UN has been credited with the arrangement of 172 peaceful settlements which has ended regional conflicts. Current cases include the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, an end to the Iran-Iraq war, and the end to the civil war in EI Salvador.

According to Cooley (2019), the other significant Organization is the World Trade Organization (WTO) which intends to liberalize and supervise international trade. Under the Marrakech Agreement, this organization officially commenced on 1st January 1995 and later was replaced by General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. It is concerned with the laws and regulations of trade between countries. It offers a framework for formalizing and negotiating trade agreements. This organization has a major role in liberalizing the markets of many nations. It also has a benefit as it has spread the horizons of business and commerce in a way that has changed the outlook of the world.

The international institutions have played a vital role in making the world of today. To maintain peace, these international organizations have dealt with various pressing issues and offer a forum for the countries to become united and resolve disputes and issues (Ghosh 2020). To shape the world into a much better place, international organization plays a significant role. It helps to overcome challenges such as disease, social unrest, poverty, and hunger. Through the urge for nations to cooperate, it also ensures equitable distribution of resources and many more things. The entire International System is dependent on the functions of the Organizations to make the world a true utopian dream.

The United Nations (UN) plays a crucial role in creating an international institution designed to maintain peace and facilitate cooperation. The UN was founded on liberal principles after World War II and its primary goal is to prevent another catastrophic global conflict (Giannakis and Bruggeman 2020). The UN promotes key liberal principles, including the peaceful settlement of disputes, collective security, and the promotion of human rights. In determining the existence of a threat to the peace, the Security Council takes the lead to call upon the parties to settle the dispute through peaceful means and recommends methods of settlement or adjustment. The UN has Facilities Corporations in various areas including humanitarian assistance, development, and environmental protection. Humanitarian assistance includes the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) which has played an essential role in improving living conditions and public health worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have made significant contributions to global improvements in public health and living standards. This serves as an example of how international institutions, which are important components of liberal internationalism, can address global challenges through cooperation.

As per Johnston (2019) in international military action, repercussions range in economic sanctions. The Council also establishes Special Political Missions and UN Peacekeeping Operations (Coleman et al. 2021). The Security Council sanctions various forms to pursue a variety of objectives. The Security Council has been involved in sanctions to support peaceful transitions, protecting human rights, constrain terrorism, deter non-constitutional changes, and promote non-proliferation (Lake et al. 2021). By adopting a Security Council resolution, the Security Council establishes a peace operation. The mandate and size of the mission were set by the resolution. The Security Council monitors the work of the United Nations peace operations by holding dedicated Security Council sessions that discuss the work of that particular operation. For addressing security challenges, the Security Council has served as a key forum since its establishment (Lee et al. 2020). It is a significant organ of the UN and plays a vital role in maintaining the peace and security of the nation. It has the power with which it can monitor the comprehension of various sanctions, measures through the committees and can solve the dispute peacefully.

The European Union (EU) represents history and development that aligns with the principles of liberal internationalism (Mhatre et al. 2021). The major deliberative, representative, and policymaking organ of the United Nations is the General Assembly. It provides an impactful example of how cooperation, democracy, and the rule of law can contribute to peace and sustainability in a region.

The main goal of the EU’s establishment is to prevent further conflict in Europe, specifically after World War II (Panagos et al. 2020). The EU creates a framework where disputes can be resolved by enhancing economic and potential integration with states. The EU's development through liberal principles includes cooperation, democracy, and the rule of law (Söderbaum et al. 2021). These principles support EU’s institutions, decision-making processes and policies.

To enhance sustainability, the enlargement of the EU includes post-communist states in Central and Eastern Europe, through this involvement the EU’s attractiveness and its role in fostering stability and democracy. EU’s plays a vital role in democracy and the rule of law among its member states. This commitment has helped to maintain peace, promote good governance, and ensure that the member countries attach to a common set of democratic and legal standards.

Overall, EU’s success story aligns closely with the liberal international perspective by demonstrating how international institutions, cooperation, and shared values can help to maintain peace and prosperity in a region historically marked by conflict.

In conclusion, the roles of various international institutions are pertinent in maintaining peace and facilitating cooperation in international relations. The United Nations and the European Union provide a valuable example of how international instructions can promote diplomatic cooperation, and conflict resolution. The contribution of the Security Council and the contribution of the General Assembly are also described here. The international institutions have played a vital role in making the world of today. By working to prevent conflict, developing peacekeepers and assisting parties in conflict by making peace, they create situations of peace to hold and flourish.

To maintain peace these international organizations have dealt with various pressing issues and offer a forum for the countries to become united and resolve disputes and issues.

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